Deep Purple | Total Abandon: Australia ’99

by Steve Patrick
Staff Writer –

Sometimes ignorance truly is bliss. If one did not know any other information about this release, Deep Purple’s new live disc Total Abandon: Australia ’99 would sound like a great idea. However, Purple fans out there should know that this release isn’t really new at all. It’s a stripped down, 1-disc version of a show that was previously released both on 2-disc CD and on DVD back in 1999.

The decision to condense a full show down to a 1-disc version is a curious one, especially given the fact that a 2-disc version already exists. For any of those out there that are curious, the tracks omitted include “Lazy,” “Perfect Strangers,” and “Speed King.”

It goes without saying that the performance itself is phenomenal. This is Deep Purple after all! The band is in fine form and touring behind their most recent studio release at the time, 1998’s Abandon. These live tracks also give listeners a taste of Steve Morse’s early days in the band. It’s clear that Morse’s presence gave the rest of the guys a much-needed kick in the pants.

The Mark VII line-up of Purple tears through a nice mix of old and new material in this show. The set opens with the rollicking “Ted the Mechanic” which is the lead track from Morse’s first record with the band, Purpendicular. It’s clear that the veterans in the band are proud of Morse and are more than happy to show off his guitar prowess.

Ian Gillan’s voice sounds great at this point as evidenced by his distinctive wailing on tracks like “Bloodsucker,” “Pictures of Home,” and “Fireball.” Mid-set features a couple of tracks from the album that Purple was supporting at the time, Abandon. Gillan offers an amusing introduction to “Almost Human” and Morse’s guitar dominates “Watching the Sky.”

Morse’s soaring guitar on “Sometimes I Feel like Screaming” is a high-mark of the show and turns a potentially mediocre song into a full-blown anthem. Also, Morse’s designated guitar solo in the set is a veritable tour through classic rock riff history with Zeppelin, Hendrix, Cream, and The Beatles all represented and ultimately culminates in delivering the famous “Smoke on the Water” riff in all its glory.

The last things Deep Purple fans need are more live versions of “Strange Kind of Woman,” “Woman from Tokyo,” “Smoke on the Water,” and “Highway Star,” but they are most certainly included in this 1-disc version. It’s a shame that some of the material that is lesser known by comparison was omitted. Overall, no one can slight Roger Glover, Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Morse or Gillan for giving a bad performance on Total Abandon: Australia ’99, but we can wish that we could hear all of it.

Genre: Classic Rock

Band:
Ian Gillan (v)
Roger Glover (b)
Jon Lord (k)
Ian Paice (d)
Steve Morse (g)

Track Listing:
01. Ted The Mechanic
02. Strange Kind Of Woman
03. Bloodsucker
04. Pictures of Home
05. Almost Human
06. Woman From Tokyo
07. Watching The Sky
08. Fireball
09. Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming
10. Smoke On The Water
11. Black Night
12. Highway Star

Hardrock Haven rating: 7/10

Steve Morse Prime Cuts Volume 2

by John Kindred
Staff Writer

Prime Cuts Volume 2 is a continuation of exploring music recorded by Steve Morse on the Magna Carta label. The CD features 10 songs culled from his solo works, the Steve Morse Band and tribute cover songs. Joining Steve Morse are some of rock’s finest musicians; James LaBrie, Dave LaRue, T Lavitz, Rod Morgenstein and Jordan Rudess.

Cutting his teeth with the legendary band the Dixie Dreggs in the early ’80s, in no time Morse was known throughout the country by his peers. Continually nominated throughout the ’80s in Guitar for the Practicing Musician magazine as guitarist of the year, Morse has reached a level of excellence many strive for and never achieve.

Steve Morse’s Prime Cuts Volume 2 demonstrates his ability to not only perform different genres of music but to perform at a level beyond the scope of his peers. Face it — Steve Morris is pretty good at what he does. His youthful visage hides his age, and his playing ability is built around musical knowledge many never achieve in a lifetime.

The music of Steve Morse is pretty indescribable. The amount of musical influences that he brings to the table is amazing. From southern influences, blues, country, classical, jazz and rock, Morse combines these into compositions that never clash with diverseness of his talents. The songs presented on Prime Cuts Volume 2 display the creative and diversified Morse at his best. Fans and new listeners can sink their teeth into his interpretations of Rush and Yes with his cover versions of “Red Barchetta” and “Mood For A Day.” Further explorations of his creative genius can be found on his original songs such as “Bar Hopping with Mr. Pinky,” “Great Mountain Spirits,” “Midnight Daydream” and “TruthOla.”

More than just a journeyman guitarist, aspiring musicians can learn a lot from Steve Morse. Currently the axe man for Deep Purple, Morse has kept himself busy over the years. There are many releases that fans should check out and delve deeper into this talented guitarist.

Web: http://www.magnacarta.net/Steve_Morse/stevemorse.html

Lineup:
Steve Morse (g)

Guests include:
James LaBrie (v)
Dave LaRue (b)
T Lavitz (piano)
Rod Morgenstein (d)
Jordan Rudess. (k)

Track Listing:
1. Zig Zags (Steve Morse )
2. On Fire (feat. Steve Morse, School of the Arts )
3. Bar Hopping With Mr. Pinky (feat. Jordan Rudess, Steve Morse)
4. Ghost of the Bayou (Steve Morse Band )
5. Mood For A Day (Steve Morse )
6. TruthOla (Steve Morse)
7. Portrait (feat. Steve Morse, School of the Arts)
8. Great Mountain Spirits (Steve Morse)
9. Midnight Daydream (Steve Morse)
10. Red Barchetta (feat. James LaBrie, James Murphey, Sean Malone, Sean Reinert & David Townson)

Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10