Goin to see Steve Morse tonight!

[Shadowspecced]

I'm going to see Steve Morse for the first time tonight!.. I'm expecting a pretty awesome show, as far as I know it's with his band. Any tracks I can expect to hear? And for some of the Morse vets, what should I be expecting as far as a performance?

[Jimmy James]

Expect to go home and work on your picking.

[Funky Chicken]

Originally Posted by Jimmy James

Expect to go home and work on your picking.

Or maybe consider selling all your gear.

Seriously-just enjoy. The whole trio is pretty inspiring. Van Romaine plays right on the edge of complete abandon and LaRue is rock solid.

[BIGGERSTAFF]

It's an amazing trio. Each one of the guys is phenomenal. You will definitely get a master class on alternate picking.

[Shadowspecced]

The show was amazing. I was familiar with every song in the set but the ones off the new album, and I got Steve, and Dave's signatures after the show as well as a pick! Steve was really nice and we conversed about 5 minutes. Couldn't have asked for a better show!

[Stratobuc]

Originally Posted by Jimmy James

Expect to go home and work on your picking.

Aint that the truth! And what a nice guy to boot!

[speedyone]

I saw him back on the High Tension Wires tour. He was fantastic! And Dave La Rue was the best bassist I've ever seen.

Steve was funny too-- he'd talk a little bit in between songs. During one break, he said, "So I'd like to talk a little bit about my guitar. It's made of my favorite wood...poplar! Why? because it's 'pop-lar'"!

My favorite tunes he played were Tumeni Notes and Flat Baroque.

[DWB1960]

Seen Steve a lot of times both with his trio and The Dregs. The guy is an insane player live. Total control. Watch closely to see how much he changes pickup positions during solos. Sometimes right in the middle of a crazy fast run.

He's also in ridiculous shape for his age. Based on his hands and forearms he looks like he could crush a coconut with his fingers.

[HelloKittyHawk!]

Both sets last night were great (par for the course with Steve Morse).
I've grown to love Van's playing more and more, after seeing him a couple dozen times (more, actually) with the SMB. He really brings an earthy, deep groove to some of the newer tunes, which are sometimes based around Steve and Dave's tandem chromatic riffery, and which could occasionally sound a little mechanical, otherwise.

For this run of shows, though, they had to find a substitute drummer, who had only played with them once before. He's from Orlando, FL.. and his name is Drew Betts (no relation to Dickey, as far as I know. May be "Betz"). He really nailed all the songs, if not every single nuance that Van has developed over twenty years of playing some of these tunes. Pretty impressive! He played with headphones, to a click, and both Steve and Dave commented on how nice it was to play at such a predictable consistent tempo. No slight to Van, I'm sure. Enrique Iglesias and Nena would not tolerate rushin' and draggin'.

And the Iridium is one of the most intimate venues in which I've seen Steve. It's a great club, with an excellent staff. They've booked some amazing guitar talent recently.
I'm definitely returning for a few more sets. Steve is seldom around anymore, as Deep Purple keeps him busy year-round. Catch him while you can.

[Dave B]

Originally Posted by HelloKittyHawk!

Both sets last night were great (par for the course with Steve Morse).
.....
I'm definitely returning for a few more sets. Steve is seldom around anymore, as Deep Purple keeps him busy year-round. Catch him while you can.

You guys are lucky you live close to the city and can see him more than once! Doesn't look like he's doing anything other than Purple in Europe for the foreseeable future.

Cool info about the drumming situation, too.

Did you ever get through Steve's instructional tapes a few years back? Whaddya think? Were they helpful or damaging?

[HelloKittyHawk!]

I still have them, but didn't get very far, as I totaled my last car that had a cassette deck!
They could only be helpful, though. Steve's a very good teacher.
Last night, after the last set, he was very patiently breaking down the inversions in one of his tunes for a fan who had asked. As everyone observes, he's one of the friendliest guys that you could hope to meet.

[Shadowspecced]

Originally Posted by HelloKittyHawk!

Both sets last night were great (par for the course with Steve Morse).
I've grown to love Van's playing more and more, after seeing him a couple dozen times (more, actually) with the SMB. He really brings an earthy, deep groove to some of the newer tunes, which are sometimes based around Steve and Dave's tandem chromatic riffery, and which could occasionally sound a little mechanical, otherwise.

For this run of shows, though, they had to find a substitute drummer, who had only played with them once before. He's from Orlando, FL.. and his name is Drew Betts (no relation to Dickey, as far as I know. May be "Betz"). He really nailed all the songs, if not every single nuance that Van has developed over twenty years of playing some of these tunes. Pretty impressive! He played with headphones, to a click, and both Steve and Dave commented on how nice it was to play at such a predictable consistent tempo. No slight to Van, I'm sure. Enrique Iglesias and Nena would not tolerate rushin' and draggin'.

And the Iridium is one of the most intimate venues in which I've seen Steve. It's a great club, with an excellent staff. They've booked some amazing guitar talent recently.
I'm definitely returning for a few more sets. Steve is seldom around anymore, as Deep Purple keeps him busy year-round. Catch him while you can.

You were there? Wish I would have known so we coulda met!

[djem]

Originally Posted by speedyone

I saw him back on the High Tension Wires tour. He was fantastic! And Dave La Rue was the best bassist I've ever seen.

Steve was funny too-- he'd talk a little bit in between songs. During one break, he said, "So I'd like to talk a little bit about my guitar. It's made of my favorite wood...poplar! Why? because it's 'pop-lar'"!

My favorite tunes he played were Tumeni Notes and Flat Baroque.

I remember that tour vividly.

I really got into Highland Wedding off that album as well. All that counterpoint is insanely good stuff. Steve's one of my favorite artists and proably the sole reason why I did some woodshedding in 1990-91. Too bad I didn't keep up my intensity.

[HelloKittyHawk!]

Originally Posted by Shadowspecced

You were there? Wish I would have known so we coulda met!

Sorry I missed you. I was seated at the table on the extreme left (audience perspective) of the stage.
Steve was about two feet (sometimes less) away, which made it awkward while I was trying to discreetly eat my meal, which arrived too close to the start of the second set!

I also saw Sunday's late show and both sets on Monday.
Monday's show was the most unique setting in which I've seen Steve. He played a mix of standards, countryish, bluesy, and early rock 'n' roll from the Les Paul Trio's repertoire (certainly not Steve's), backed by guitar, upright bass, piano, and special guest Shawn Pelton, on an improvised kit that he set up on the extreme rear edge of the stage, right before the first set. He used a floor tom for a bass drum, plus a snare, a high hat, and a ride cymbal. And he was awesome.

Steve was definitely not in his comfort zone, so it was inspiring to see him rise to the occasion, and more-than-earn the respect of the onstage veteran musicians, while thrilling the audience. Steve was essentially a guest of The Les Paul Trio, though, so about half the set did not feature him.

My only regret is that I didn't go on Saturday night, as well. Amazingly, they continued to mix up the SMB set lists, despite having a substitute drummer.

I've found no better venue for live music in New York, and the Iridium continues to book some amazing guitarists, who wouldn't normally play a venue this small. The owner told me that PBS will be airing the Jeff Beck show from this past summer. Pledge drive material, for sure.