Prime Cuts [ENHANCED]

Steve Morse

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 24, 2005)
• Original Release Date: May 24, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Magna Carta
• ASIN: B0009CTVDQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,003 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Jazz > Jazz Fusion

Track Listings

1. Heightened Awareness

2. Prognosis

3. La Villa Strangiato

4. The Clap

5. Quantum Soup

6. Busybodies

7. Led On

8. Air On A 6 String

9. Wooden Music

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

A southpaw from the south, he emerged with a masterful band called The Dixie Dregs. In no time, word of Steve Morse’s unique guitar style traveled this country and beyond. It was a style borne out of an unflinching commitment to excellence. His execution, awe-inspiring as much in his choice of notes as in the cleanliness of his delivery, became a benchmark for aspiring guitarists to heed.

Long before Steve Morse began his relationship with Magna Carta Records, those aspiring guitarists, perhaps awestruck by Morse’s harmonic sense, tone, and articulation, were voting him tops in such publications as Guitar Player. Such unanimous endorsements point to Morse’s uncanny (and rare) ability to play the complex lines guitarists like to hear and make music. Indeed, music is what you hear when you sample the various tracks on this compendium of seminal Steve Morse songs. In Magna Carta Records, Morse found the forum in which to display his dazzling diversity while contributing solid compositions. In fact, each of the Steve Morse songs found herein, while replete with guitar virtuosity, feature melodic lines that you will hum long after the CD stops spinning. And to hear those figures played so supremely clean is to dig at the root of Steve Morse’s artistry.

A fanatical practicer, Steve has admitted to risking life and limb on the freeway in the name of his instrument. Rather than waste time when heading his car to the airport, for example, he’d strap on the guitar (and, hopefully, his seatbelt) and pick away, manipulating the steering wheel with his knees. We can only hope that when he secured his pilot’s license he refrained from such multi-tasking!

At the time of this writing, Steve Morse was touring with Deep Purple, arguably dealing in a heavier sound as befits the music. A man possessed of clarity of vision and, seemingly, fitness of body, Steve Morse has fashioned himself for the span of decades, not the flavors of months.

Product Description

A collection of Steve’s finest work from his Magna Carta sessions Bonus: 11 minute video interview with Steve. Steve Morse performing with Terry Bozzio, Dave LaRue, James Murphy, Mike Portnoy, John Petrucci, Van Romaine, Jordan Rudess, Billy Sheehan and Mark Wood.

Take almost anything Morse does on these compositions, whether it’s the ever-darting, constantly modulating ostinato on "Heightened Awareness", or the thematic line from "Busybodies", or perhaps the dense layers of "Wooden Music". You will notice that melody always takes precedence. Mind you, you’ ll also get a good dose of speed and heightened articulation: Perhaps this is what happens when a left-handed player turns the guitar around and plays it the "right" way. It places his stronger hand on the neck, promoting dexterity—and adding a certain "meat" to the tone. Morse’s lines don’t whither or trail off. Of course, this is very much a conscious effort and has much to do with his right hand picking virtually every note—not a lot of slurring going on! Also key to his unique sound is the design of his instrument, one that has evolved from the early years when he employed multiple pickups to catch every string nuance.

Steve wears his southern influences on his sleeve. While his tone speaks of the blues greats, it also twangs of the country. Listen to the way he handles the Yes standard, "The Clap". No question, Morse can hang with the likes of Albert Lee any day.

Aside from deep country and that Dixie funk, Morse exhibits a huge variety of guitar influences, from Steve Howe to John McLaughlin, the latter who seemed to define for a generation the proper ratio of jazz to rock. Then there’s this pervasive baroque thing, almost Mozart like in its staccato phrases and Bach like in its serenity—evidence, perhaps, of Steve’s classical studies in Florida (check out "Air on a 6-String" or the figure that begins around 00.50 on "Prognosis"). No wonder he used to typify his work as "modern chamber music"!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's Steve. What else can I say?, July 8, 2005

By	Greg L. Jones (Lexington, KY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While not the best way to get started on your collection of Steve Morse's music, for those of us who have everything else, it is a way to hear a cut or two you may not have.

I didn't have the RUSH tribute cut in my collection, for example.

Any Steve Morse cut is worth having.

By the way, I just got to see Deep Purple again and that may be another way to add to your collection of Steve's music. All of their material from the last 10 years is heavily laced with Steve's influence.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very original with righteous La Villa cover, May 9, 2007

By	H. noerdlinger "sirRidesAlot" (denver) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If for no other reason, buy this strictly for the La Villa Strangiato cover. It is obvious to me that Steve uses this song as a warm-up; for he effortlessly shreds this composition from top to bottom in a truly unique and fresh way. I never thought it possible to improve on this song; but somehow Steve's guitar aggressively explores a new dimension - all in the spirit of the Rush original.

Aside from this cover, almost all other songs layer creative and fresh musical compositions that both sound good and demonstrate Steve's amazing musicianship.

Other talented guitarists aim to prove their worthiness by cramming a bazillion sixty-fourth notes into each passing measure. Steve knows better.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Prime time!, November 13, 2005

By	Micaloneus (the Cosmos) - See all my reviews

I just bought "Prime Cuts" and "Rapture of the Deep" by Deep Purple (featuring Morse on guitar). Both albums are enjoyable in different ways. "Prime Cuts" shows off Steve's guitar work on this instrumental disc. "Rapture of the Deep" shows Steve blending in with the other musicians of Deep Purple. A powerful rock album.

"Prime Cuts" = 4 1/2 stars
"Rapture of the Deep" = 5 stars