Eagle Rock Entertainment is doing a fine job making sure all the Deep Purple/Steve Morse related DVD's are back on the market. This fine 1990 performance by the Steve Morse Band from the Ohne Filter television program in Baden-Baden, Germany showcases the then new line-up of Steve Morse on guitars, Dave LaRue on bass, and drummer Van Romaine. They launch into a hour long set of Dixie Dregs classics, and early Morse solo material from his High Tension Wires and The Introduction albums. It's a fiery set, although more geared towards the softer and country-fried songs from Morse's catalog, as his more rocking material would come with later albums that featured LaRue and Romaine. Still, you do get instrumental barnburners like "Tumeni Notes", "The Introduction", "Rock and Roll Park", and "Cruise Missile" amongst the more country/bluegrass flavored "Pride of the Farm", "Country Colors", and "Highland Wedding". The playing of these three is spectacular, and even after only being together for a short time the synergy and prowess that they share is frightening, only to get better in the years to follow. While Morse has always surrounded himself with some of the best players around (his years with the smoking hot Dixie Dregs is proof of that), this trio, who still play together today, is perhaps the tightest and most talented instrumental outfit going in progressive music. Take a gander at the complex lines and wonderful melodies of "Point Counterpoint" and "Night Meets Light" and see what I mean.
In addition to this smokin' set from 1990, you also get a short set from a 1984 Ohne Filter appearance in 1984, with Jerry Peek on bass and Rod Morgenstein on drums. This was a formidable line-up as well, perhaps not quite on par with the current trio, but it's cool to see them rocking out to "Refried Funky Chicken" and a few other tunes. Peek is a monster player who pretty much has been invisible for quite a while, while Morgenstein still performs with the Dixie Dregs with Morse, as well as the pop-metal act Winger. A promotional video clip of "Cruise Missile" rounds out this stellar package, which is a must have for Steve Morse fans. The video quality if excellent, as is the audio, so be sure to add this alongside your Dixie Dregs Live at Montreux Jazz Festival 1978, Sects, Dregs, and Rock & Roll, and various Morse-era Deep Purple DVD's that are currently available.
Track Listing
Recorded at SWR Studios, Baden-Baden, Germany, March 21, 1990
1) The Introduction
2) General Lee
3) Country Colors
4) Sleaze Factor
5) Highland Wedding
6) Tumeni Notes
7) Point Counterpoint
8) Night Meets Light
9) Ice Cakes
10) Rock 'N' Roll Park
11) Pride Of The Farm
12) Cruise Missile
Recorded at SWR Studios, Baden-Baden, Germany, February 11, 1984
1) Refried Funky Chicken
2) Northern Lights
3) Pride Of The Farm
4) Rock 'N' Roll Park
Cruise Missile (Promotional Clip)
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