21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great idea with great results, 21 July 2000
By R. Moser "rockbob" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Major Impacts Vol.1 (Audio CD)
With "Major Impacts," guitarist extraordinaire Steve Morse pays loving tribute to axemen of the past and present who have most influenced him and helped shape his own unique style. From Page to Clapton, from Hendrix to McLaughlin and then some, Morse crafts a song for each of his heroes that encapsulates the essence of each artist's contributions to rock music. Backed by his talented tandem of bassist Dave LaRue and drummer Van Romaine, Steve takes us on a wild and varied trip that includes songs featuring the anthemic Southern sound of the Allmans, the power rock of Leslie West, the crying slide of George Harrison, and the deft fingerpicking style of Jimmy Page. Also included are dead-on impressions of Keith Richards and Roger McGuinn, and snippets of Jeff Beck, Steve Howe, Kerry Livgren and Alex Lifeson. There is also a simply gorgeous tribute to John McLaughlin on which bassist Dave LaRue goes fretless in counterpoint to Steve's mellow lyrical foundation. Every time I listen to this disc, what I at that time consider my favorite track on the disc changes. How many discs do you own like that? I know I don't have many, if any. What's most amazing is that Morse writes in the liner notes that he hopes to pay tribute to other artists in the same fashion in the near future. Can't wait for more of this stuff.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Morse continues to deliver., 17 July 2000
By Dan - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Major Impacts Vol.1 (Audio CD)
Having been a Steve Morse fan for years, I can't say that his latest effort surprises me at all; everything this genius records is a masterpiece and Morse solidifies his reputation as a truly great guitarist on this disc. If you're familiar with his music at all, you'll instantly recognize his signature chops within the framework of the styles of the guitarists whom he has intentionally emulated on "Major Impacts." My personal favorite is "Truthola," which is a tribute to Jeff Beck, Eric Johnson and Alex Lifeson, although it leans heavily towards Johnson's style most. For anyone who happens across this review, I'd like to alert them to the total Steve Morse experience. Buy his stuff with the Dixie Dregs, buy his stuff with The Steve Morse Band, buy his stuff as a member of Deep Purple. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Those who appreciate masterful guitar playing and equally masterful musical composition, will love all of Morse's music. The music-listening world needs to wake up and take notice of the unsurpassed genius of Steve Morse.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Definitely not for everyone., 30 Oct 2000
By Juha T Palotie - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Major Impacts Vol.1 (Audio CD)
If you don't play or worship the guitar, don't consider buying this album. Simple as that. Then again, if you do one of those things, you are in for a treat.
Steve Morse (of Dixie Dregs, Kansas and Deep Purple fame) serves a cocktail of instrumental rock music in the compositional and guitar styles of his own idols: Derailleur Gears (Cream, Eric Clapton), Well, I have (Jimi Hendrix), TruthOla (Jeff Beck, but also Eric Johnson and even Alex Lifeson (Rush)), Migration (Roger McGuinn, Byrds), Led On (Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page), The White Light (John McLaughlin), How does it feel? (Keith Richards, Rolling Stones), Bring it to me (Mountain, Leslie West), Something Gently Weeps (Beatles, George Harrison), Free In The Park (Allman Brothers Band, Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, BB King), Prognosis (Kansas, Kerry Livgren, Yes, Steve Howe).
I bought it, not as a fan of Morse particularly, but because of the guitarists he honours, and wasn't disappointed. A beautiful homage indeed.