Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 10:49:25 -0500 (EST) From: Lisaalti@aol.com Subject: The Steve Morse Band
I would have gone to this show just because Steve Morse is in Deep Purple and I like Perpendicular so much but, as it turned out, I would have gone for any reason.
The Edge in Palo Alto is a dive and their brandy was awful, but I hardly noticed because of the great show going on. Steve Morse is a charming person onstage. To say this trio is tight would be an understatement. And apparently, like Steve, they are all in other bands as well. He is brilliantly professional and technically superb. His solo work is flawless. I did not hear one dropped note - not one. He was drinking Crystal Geyser water without scotch (yeah, well, nobody's perfect).
They did a few Dixie Dregs songs but mostly played from Stressfest (if you don't have it, get it). At the end, he worked in some familiar Led Zeppelin riff but it went away quickly. Steve's friend, Jeff Watson, buzzed in and played one song. So there they were, two leads on one stage, having a great time. During the drum solo, Steve stood there and improvised some and got into it along with the rest of us. The bassist was amazing and Steve obviously agreed. He controlled the stage with enthusiasm and support, rather than aggression.
Does he have things to learn from his new colleagues? Yes - otherwise it wouldn't be any fun, would it? Every once in a while he let that guitar sing, as well as sparkle, and I would think "yeah, there ya go" but it didn't last very long. Those "English rock stars" have some things to teach him about warming up his brilliant playing a bit and I think that maybe this second Deep Purple album will be where that happens.
I think Steve Morse is wonderful and we are lucky to have him. And I hope he comes back soon with his other band.
Lisa