Search - Dixie Dregs :: Free Fall

Free-falling and fancy fretwork!

Adam | California United States | 06/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unfortunately for many progressive rock and fusion lovers, many of the best work of the 70s was being done by artistes across the pond--as dear John McLaughlin and company were happy to remind us. BUT, America found its answer to all the fusion supergroups with a little ensemble from down South called the Dixie Dregs. With a name that sounds like a bad outtake from the Dukes of Hazard, this band will absolutely blow your mind with their ability to take any musical style and alternately rearrange, recycle, and absolutely mangle it! Very catchy and melodic but full of instrumental pyrotechnics as few bands since have been able to do, imbued with a distinctly American *sense of humor*. Bassist Andy West and drummer Rod Morgenstein are one of the grooviest rhythm sections in eons, even before the latter ever met Dave LaRue; and violinist Allen Sloan and keysman Steve Davidowski turn in excellent stylized solo work that weaves in and out of the various genres depicted like needles on your new sweater--through rock, jazz, pop, classical, funk, acoustic, and...BLUEGRASS?! Time fer sum banjo-action, Cletus! :) The star of the proceedings is, of course, Steve Morse, steering the compositions with expert ease. His lightning-fast Al DiMeola-like polyrhythms & speed-picking belie a deep, DEEP compositional sophistication and a melodic soul which set him head 'n' shoulders above the rest of the guitar-god crowd. Steve Vai may shred, but Steve Morse WRITES SONGS. And pretty damn good ones, too.An excellent introduction to a very excellent band. Highly recommended."

The Beginnings, for the Best Band I've Ever Heard

Damon C Torres | New York, NY USA | 12/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Steve Morse (Guitar) and the stellar members of the Dixie Dregs, including longtime bandmates Rod Morgenstern (Drums) and T Lavitz (Keys) are simply the most incredible musicians this music addict has ever heard. Steve's genre-transcending compositions are the key, both modest (for the fun parts he shares with his bandmates rather than plays himself) to the most inspired, impressive and technically advanced guitar work by Maestro Morse himself. This music soars like no other I have ever heard. And I am a very hungry and eclectic listener. It is a must for every serious listener who appreciates fast-moving and complex instrumental music. Other faves are "Dregs of the Earth", "Unsung Heroes" and the Steve Morse Band's "Coast to Coast". There is not a single music offering led by Steve Morse that I do not own at least one copy of, and each one was worth far more than what I paid for it given the enjoyment each has provided. This is my favorite music - for over twenty years. Now my eight year old daughter is becoming a fan, and an accomplished musician herself. Note: The first Dregs album "The Great Spectacular" (more like a demo) has songs re-recorded for Freefall and other albums."

Nice fusion record!

Flavio Ferretti | brazil | 11/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my favorite Dixie Dregs album. The band sounds very tight, looking forward to show thier possibilities after years in endless music college and finally recording for a major label.



All the themes roll on in a free spirit mood, It doesn't have that peculiar feeling of great tension and emotional intensity you experience normally on fusion records of such bands from the same period as Return to Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Eleventh House or Weather Report. Not that i don't enjoy it, on the contrary, I dig 70's jazz fusion a lot. But fusion is not for ocasional distracted listening. Maybe the southern rock influence does the difference. However, I believe that this is not their true essence, because when they jam hard like real jazz musicians (and only jazz musicians) can do, that's when I stare at my cd player and say "Now, we're talking!".



The music here is very cool, all the musicians performance is great without extrapolations, specially guitar and bass parts.



So, I guess it's a band for musicians, yes, just like a fusion band has to be, but it's also highly recomended for people who are searching for fine melodies and well structured instrumental tunes. Morse and his fellows show that you can be a virtuose on your instrument, having a great sense of melody and composition and do not sound like a speedfreak machine repeating licks after licks trying to reach the speed of light.



my favorite tunes are free fall, holiday, refried funky chicken.

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