STAND UP

The one Morse's album featuring vocals. Faithful to his habits, Morse blends various styles : country, balads, rock tunes. It's not as ambitious as his earlier works with dixie dregs but still delightful with very melodic and amazing guitar parts. If you like this album, you should listen to Eric Johnson's work (an artist that is nevertheless featured on track 4).

This is definitely the weakest of his solo albums but the guitar playing is top notch as usual (Steve's and the guests). Somewhat weak compositions and trite vocals (hoping for some wider appeal?). A great effort for most bands but only average by usual Steve Morse standards.

This is actually a very good album. Ignore others who say less. There are some of Steve's trademark pieces here, but also he is pushing out into new ground with remarkable energy, sometimes with great success.

Usually on every album, Steve tries to write slow, transcendent pieces using faux-counterpoint, metric and harmonic modulations and haunting melodies; some of these work well, and others sound like a second-year composition assignment. "Unity Gain" (like Introduction on the previous album) however, is truly a beautiful piece of music. He should have stopped writing this type after this recording, since this is the top. The album is worth listening to just for this one, gorgeous piece.

The vocal tune "Distant Star" is a very nice attempt at a poppy song, and there's nothing wrong with that, although it falls a bit short of real pop. Steve brought in the now much more commercially successful Eric Johnson to sing. And this is one of Eric Johnson's best vocal performances. If you like EJ, this tune is great, fullerl of emotion and a bit of drama (unlike his usual, fairly flat "EJ" style).

"Rockin' Guitars" is very funny and very southern. I usually find Morse's southern stuff a bit off (which is a shame since he does so much of it). It doesn't mix as well with his progressive style as he seems to think, and end up somewhat "contrived". This track however, is pure southern fun. Listen to the words. Very Clever and funny. Lee is great!

"Marco Polo" is classic Dregs. Progressive, funny and totally original/unique. You may not like the style or jarring pace, but if you are a musician looking for great playing and ideas, you really should give ths a serious listening.

Steve Morse's second album from his solo career named Stand up from 1985 is a natural continuation of what he did in Dixie Dregs (but less progressive)and with some moments who remind me of Kansas (Power era, who aswell feature Steve on guitar). The music , at least on this album is nothing realy progressive like he did with Dixie Dregs (only hints from that period is here) is more towards AOR with some elements of Kansas (the'80's) or even some hard rock numbers where the guitar of Steve realy did a good job. Well not all the pieces stands as real treat for me, the ones with vocals are the weakest ones, only the guitar save the problem, ex are Book of dreams - a typical AOr piece for mid '80's, nothing special, the weakest piece from here Rockin' guitars - a tune for MTV for that era again nothing special. Now the instrumental ones are the best and the most progressive stuff from here like English rancher - excellent piece who show us that Steve Morse is one of the best in guitar zone, nice arrangements, Travels of Marco Polo gain a top notch instrumental with soome chinese guitar melted very well with his excellent guitar improvisation, great piece. Steve Morse incorporated many stylistical guitar orientation here like he did in Dixie Dregs, from AOR with hard rock chops, to more progressive elements and even in places some balands or country aproach. His guitar is instantly recognizable, he play in Deep Purple aswell can recognize his sound very easy, Dixie Dregs same, he is one of a kind in guitar world. I will give to this album 3 stars, eevn is nothing very impressive here, as a whole stands as good and with nice pieces, some of them realy strong. Some famous guest musicians like Eric Johnsonn or Peter Frampton completed the album sound in a great manner.

This is a relatively disappointing album (compared to the other Steve Morse albums). Sure, his guitar playing is exceptional, and there is some great music, but almost half of the songs are vocal songs, and Morse just isn't very good at that form. No, he doesn't sing, he brings in guest vocalists, like Albert Lee and Eric Johnson, but they don't help the quality of the songs.

Of the vocal tracks, Book Of Dreams fares the best. Even behind the vocals, there is a Dregs- like backing track, that makes it listenable. The other vocal tracks, not so good.

Of the rest of the music, there are fine pieces. Pick Your Poison is a bluegrass romp, with Mark O'Connor helping out on violin. And the last three tracks from Travels Of Marco Polo through Unity Gain, are all good enough for any Dregs release.

So despite the four vocal pieces, of which only one is worth multiple listens, this gets three stars.