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Customer Reviews
I am old enough to recognise all the influences here (with the possible exception of Bach!) and Steve's evocations of The Who, Aerosmith and Crosby, Stills and Nash etc. are spot on!
Steve brings his usual enthusiasm for the guitar and all its nuances to this album, even the sleeve notes are great.
This concept for an album has worked really well twice now. Bring on number three!!!!
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.
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.
Do yourself a favor. Buy this CD, turn your stereo to "11" and prepared to be amazed!!!
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