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Steve Morse on Playback:stl
There is a brand new interview with Steve Morse on Playback:stl. Derek Lauer writes in his introduction:
There was an incredible synergy of brilliant musicians at the University of Miami in Florida in the early ’70s, with people in the School of Music like Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Hiram Bullock, Andy West, Rod Morgenstein and Steve Morse. I once saw Pat Metheny give a clinic at Berklee College of Music talking about how he and Pastorius first got together and he said, “My first day on campus, I met Steve Morse and it scared the shit out of me.” That ought to tell you something about Morse’s playing, even as a student.
Read the interview here.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
Some of the more pertinent quotes:
“Morse has been the perfect choice to fill the shoes of the legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple.”
This is true in that 1) His personality allows the group to endure and have fun 2) He does not mind playing another guitar hero’s songs and 3) He has come up with many memorable DP songs in his own right. One might add that his style is so opposite Blackmore as to not create some kind of imperfect clone or cheap simulation, instead giving Purple a new and unique sound–still better than anyone out there.
“They sound better now than they ever have. These are not some geezers out there trying to keep something going; they are hard-hitting and energetic and continually putting out new music that is constantly evolving.”
Gillan has always been emphatic about progression and there is a maturity and cleanliness now that was absent before as these guys continue to evolve. This hasn’t happened since “Slaves & Masters” but I know not everyone was as happy with that sound as I.
Blackmore is great. Always was. He will forever be my guitar hero and inspiration (even now). But his is gone, probably for good. Steve has done a fantastic job of not filling Blackmore’s shoes as much as he has put on boots of his own. I’ve enjoyed the last four albums very much, particularly the first two of the four. Long live Deep Purple.
“We have the record companies and radio stations shoving sub par music down out throats 24/7 until they brainwash enough people into thinking their latest crap is cool.” –Steve Morse
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose!!!!!
In a perfect world, DP would be *all over* AOR radio. “Money Talks” and “Wrong Man” from the current album would have mass appeal. You’d think the record companies would be promoting these songs. What makes us a unique group is we know all about DP. I feel sorry for those who don’t.
September 13th, 2007 at 02:39I agree, for example just listen to perfect strangers and listen how this song have been improved by Morse
September 13th, 2007 at 04:31T, I totally agree!
September 13th, 2007 at 05:21I couldn’t have expressed this better myself.
Steve Morse rocks!!!!
September 13th, 2007 at 14:28Before this blog deteriorates into a Morse vs. Blackmore site, would everyone read the blog from T. He nails it…………..and yes we are a unique group afterall we are DP (fans).
September 13th, 2007 at 15:14Auf Wiedersehen……….
Yours Truly, Richard Harold Blackmore
September 13th, 2007 at 15:46At the time when they needed to fill Ritchies shoes, a promoter in my area(MA./CT.) who lives near where Glover lives in Greenwich,CT. told them to offer it to Gary Moore,if they could convince him to ever leave Ireland and England.He woulda’ been the balls with them, from hard rock to blues Gary’s the man.
September 13th, 2007 at 16:09Steve è Steve, Ritchie è RITCHIE!!!!!!!!!!!
September 13th, 2007 at 16:23see… u don’t get that from going to music uni’s or colleges in england.. bag of bollox!
September 13th, 2007 at 18:18It’s no wonder Steve won the readers choice award 5 years in a row from Guitar Player magazine. Wizard-like proficiency on the guitar while maintaining the guy-next-door humility. In an industry where 98% of all the great guitar players have self-imploded due to egos and/or substance abuse, Steve serves as a great example and model for future guitarists.
September 13th, 2007 at 18:57i met steve twice and both times he was just great … we talked about planes , jon lord and even blackmore ! he said he loves ritchie and he likes the challenge of playing all the old stuff and incorporating his own style … and i told him i miss jon being in the band and he replyed .. “i miss him too , ima huge jon lord fan”
September 14th, 2007 at 00:10