Major Impacts 2

Steve Morse | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Magna Carta
• ASIN: B0001BUBZW
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #185,053 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From the Artist

"Working for Magna Carta was a real joy," says Steve. "They allowed me so much freedom. And it was a great executive collaboration; that is, they’d suggest certain things. Like on my entire ‘Major Impacts,’ album, they came with that whole idea. I mean, when was the last time a record label came up with a an idea that made a musician go, ‘That’s really cool.’?"

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now THIS is what a tribute album should be!, March 16, 2004

By 

spiral_mind (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Major Impacts 2 (Audio CD)

As you've probably read by now, guitarist extraordinaire Steve Morse's gimmick with this disc was to write all-new songs with elements of the artists that influenced him.. so rather than a batch of tweaked covers, these instrumentals put a new spin on both Steve and the musicians he's giving a nod to. But despite all that, as with every other Morse offering, the real beauty of Major Impacts 2 is the man's exquisite composition skills. He can take any of these modes and make it his own; he effortlessly spins easy listenable melodies that never seem to get predictable; his guitar virtuosity is always solid but never needlessly flashy. What's remarkable to me is the way Steve's music always radiates sunshine and upbeat happiness without ever seeming to get stale from one album to the next. Every offering is continually new and interesting, and every one's a joy.

MI2's range is even wider than its predecessor's. A few straight-ahead rockers are present as always, from the classic-rock stylings of "Motor City Spirit" and "Leonard's Best" to the madly addicting down-and-dirty boogie of "Zig Zags".. but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Keyboards are utilized more than ever before in his homages to the Who, ELP and Genesis. "Cool Wind, Green Hills" masterfully crafts a gorgeous Celtic ballad. The rustic country/western hoedown "Tri-County Barn Dance" could almost be the long-lost twin of "Ghost Riders in the Sky." Some old guy named Bach even pops up in the form of a classical partita, the notes resolving themselves out of a seemingly random stream to create something beautiful once the whole structure comes together.

I can't really describe in more words what a joy this album is to experience. This is the kind of music just about anyone can find something to like about, whether they're looking for impressive musicianship, stellar melodic sensibility, excellent composition or just something energetic and happy to crank up in the car. If you like the sound of any of that.. if you'd like to hear some incredible guitar skill serving the songs, and not vice versa.. Major Impacts 2 is MOST highly recommended. Best enjoyed as loud as possible.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When will Amazon let us choose 6 stars ?, June 18, 2004

By 

I. J. Sloan "thegreyfox" (Rossendale, Lancs United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Major Impacts 2 (Audio CD)

One of the really fun things about Major impacts 1& 2 is seeing your guitar hero as a 'fan' .. seeing him as a guy who is humble enough to look at someone else's innovation and talent, and recognise it as such; to be able to picture him at the front of a gig doing all the stupid things we all do when the mood takes us.

Steve Morse is humble enough to make more than a passing nod to his influences. Major Impacts is not "Oh, I listened to a great deal of 'Howling Racket' when I was younger" and the implication being, "and of course I have left them far behind in the phosphorescent wake of my own talent". With Steve, we have someone who pays true homage to his heroes and influences, and not just lip service in order to win 'brownie points'.

The style of this album, as is noted elsewhere, is very much unresearched ... it seems to come over without a plan .. a bit like our own record collections and memories, and is all the better and fresher for it.

As for the music, from the first bars of Wooden Music, it was clear that Steve has put more energy and an even higher level of compositional skill into this second batch of influences. There are only a few moments of "typical Morse", and that, to me, is a REAL bonus ... let me explain.

The problem with instrumentalists and instrumentals is that over the course of 15 or so albums, the repeating of any phrases, tones and chords sequences is going to be noticable .. much more so than in a song, where words and lyrics take the place of the solo instrument. Whilst Steve has created more diversity and innovation in his music than most other players out there today, over 15 or so albums, there is always a tendancy to say "oh, that is the same phrase as "Marco Polo" or " thats the same riff from "Battle Lines"

Not so with this record, and HUGE credit to Steve for that ...

If anyone has a rack full of Steve Morse records ( going back to the brilliance of "What If" ) and has any sort of sympathy with the feeling, "Well, I have 15 Dregs/Morse records, perhaps I can give this one a miss" ... DON'T.

From Bach ( sheer brilliance ) to the Bayou, this record is fresh, energetic, exciting and represents just about the pinnacle of Steve's innovation and writing skills.

I would love to meet this guy .. my true 'hero' and an inspiration. Thanks for putting the effort into becoming this brilliant at what you do.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How does this guy keep doing it?, May 15, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Major Impacts 2 (Audio CD)

I've been a fan of Steve Morse since 1978, when I first hear the Dixie Dregs' "What If" on a 8-track my cousin had. This guy is absolulely amazing. "Major Impacts 2" is no exception to his tradition of musical excellence. The Hammond B3 patches on "Organically Grown", the CSN vibe on "Wooden Music", I could go on and on but he captures everything he attempts perfectly. Yeah, he's a monster guitarist, one of the best electric guitarists ever, but he also is an excellent composer. Listen to the interplay of instruments on his records versus some of the other "shred" guys. Oh, they can play fast, but few, if any, musicians who just happen to play guitar can touch Steve Morse.

Do yourself a favor. Buy this CD, turn your stereo to "11" and prepared to be amazed!!!