Morse Band, Steve - Split Decision

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Magna Carta
Catalog Number: MA-9058
Format: CD
Total Time: 53:08:00

I don't know how, but Steve Morse just keeps getting better and better. His music consistently remains fresh and new as a newborn's cry. Split Decision is the latest montage of six-string virtuosity from one of the world's greatest, and perhaps most unheralded, musicians. It amazes me to this day why this man has not reached legendary status on every corner of the planet. He seems to remain a cult hero, but he is steadfastly regarded as one of the premier masters by all of his contemporaries. Steve went back and forth with the label folks at Magna Carta about what concept he would use for this album and he finally decided that because he couldn't make up his mind ... he came up with a split decision. Just going with the normal creative flow to present all the aspects and styles in his compositions is the zone he needs to be in. Magna Carta has allowed him that flexibility and more. It's nice to see a good man like Morse get his due respect and actually enjoy the label folks he is working with; it's a nice change that needs to be recognized.

Just when you think he outdid himself with his previous release Major Impacts, he comes charging back like a raging bull, back to raise the bar one more notch. Man, where do I start with this guy? He is always all over the musical map and it would be beyond reason to actually write about his music in absolute detail, so I will give you some highlights. First of all, let me say that this is a rock solid release with no weaknesses whatsoever in any department. The sound, production, and the musicianship are outstanding as always. You get some "Heightened Awareness" right out of the starting block as the opener is a rocking rave up in the usual straight ahead (complex) no frills style that he is so well known for. What a ferocious string bender Morse is, his tone is out of this world whether he is rocking in a "Mechanical Frenzy" or laid back doing an acoustic number like the Celtic influenced "Back Porch" or the new age textured "Natural Flow."

To say I enjoyed this is an understatement. By the third listen I was finally ready to sit down and actually ponder what I was going to say. There is so much to take in on a Morse album. His technique is amazing and he is a true-to-form master technician in every sense of the word. Simply put, he is a guitar player's guitar player, and a gift to all who find him along their path. I am always "Majorly Up" to listen to Steve Morse music.

Tracklisting:
Heightened Awareness (4:19) / Busybodies (2:34) / Marching Orders (4:58) / Mechanical Frenzy (4:26) / Great Mountain Spirits (4:22) / Majorly Up (3:54) / Gentle Flower, Hidden Beast (5:37) / Moment's Comfort (5:33) / Clear Memories (3:21) / Midnight Daydream (5:18) / Back Porch (4:04) / Natural Flow (4:42)

Musicians:
Steve Morse - guitars
Dave LaRue - bass
Van Romaine - drums

Discography:
Dixie Dregs - The Great Spectacular (1975)
Dixie Dregs - Free Fall - (1977)
Dixie Dregs - What If (1978)
Dixie Dregs - Night Of The Living Dregs (1979)
Dixie Dregs - Sex, Dregs & Rock 'n' Roll (1979)
Dixie Dregs - Dregs of The Earth (1980)
Dixie Dregs - Unsung Heroes (1981)
Dixie Dregs - Live In New York (1981)
Dixie Dregs - Industry Standard (1982)
The Introduction (1984)
Stand Up (1986)
Kansas - Power (1986)
Dixie Dregs - Best Of The Dixie Dregs (1987)
Dixie Dregs - Off The Record (1988)
Kansas - In The Spirit Of Things (1988)
Dixie Dregs - Divided We Stand - Best Of (1989)
High Tension Wires (1989)
Southern Steel (1991)
Coast To Coast (1992)
Dixie Dregs - Bring 'Em Back Alive (1992)
Dixie Dregs - Full Circle (1994)
Structural Damage (1995)
Stress Fest (1996)
Deep Purple - Purpendicular (1996)
Deep Purple - Live at the Olympia
Dixie Dregs - King Biscuit Flower Hour (1998)
Deep Purple - Abandon (1998)
Kansas - King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Kansas (1998)
Deep Purple - Total Abandon (1999)
Deep Purple - Major Impacts (2000)
Deep Purple - Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2000)
Dixie Dregs - California Screamin' (2000)
Major Impacts (2000)
Split Decision (2002)
Major Impacts 2 (2004)

(amongst others)

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: February 23rd 2002
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck

Artist website: www.stevemorse.com
Hits: 1860
Language: english