Southern Steel (album)

Southern Steel is the fourth studio album by the American guitarist Steve Morse, released in 1991.[2][3][4] "Cut to the Chase" appeared on the soundtrack to Ski Patrol.[5] "Simple Simon" was a minor heavy metal radio hit.[6] Morse promoted the album with a North American tour.[7]

Southern Steel
Studio album by
Released1991
RecordedM.O.R. Studio, McDonough, Georgia
GenreInstrumental rock
Length38:09
LabelMCA[1]
ProducerSteve Morse
Steve Morse chronology
High Tension Wires
(1989)
Southern Steel
(1991)
Coast to Coast
(1992)

Production

edit

Morse, who wrote all of the album's songs, was backed by drummer Van Romaine and bass player Dave LaRue.[8][9] Morse first worked on the music for "Arena Rock" during his time with Kansas.[10]

Critical reception

edit
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [11]
Calgary HeraldC[12]
Chicago Tribune    [5]

The Calgary Herald wrote: "Obviously an ardent Jeff Beck fan, this one rings with everything Beckish except Jan Hammer."[12] The Chicago Tribune determined that "the album is fast and heavy hick-rock and though it goes through plenty of chord and tempo changes, Morse's fingers never get cold."[5]

The Austin American-Statesman deemed the album Morse's "most mainstream rock to date."[13] The Los Angeles Times called it "instrumental rock in overdrive but with conspicuous intelligence in the driver's seat."[14]

Paul Kohler at AllMusic wrote that "Morse always delivers, especially on this uptempo, hard-hitting, instrumental rock virtuosity."[11]

Track listing

edit

All music is composed by Steve Morse

No.TitleLength
1."Cut to the Chase"3:53
2."Simple Simon"3:49
3."Vista Grande"5:04
4."Sleaze Factor"3:39
5."Battle Lines"4:07
6."Southern Steel"3:56
7."Wolf Song"3:22
8."Weekend Overdrive"4:06
9."Arena Rock"4:01
10."Point Counterpoint"2:12
Total length:38:09

Personnel

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Abbott, Jim (8 Feb 1991). "In the Bin". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 23.
  2. ^ "Steve Morse Biography by Richard Skelly". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  3. ^ Obrecht, Jas (Apr 1991). "Steve Morse's Southern Steel". Guitar Player. 25 (4): 14.
  4. ^ "Entertainment". The Kitchener-Waterloo Record. 9 May 1991. p. C9.
  5. ^ a b c Herrman, Brenda (4 Apr 1991). "Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
  6. ^ Barr, Greg (19 Apr 1991). "Taking Flight". Ottawa Citizen. p. D3.
  7. ^ Joyce, Mike (13 May 1991). "Steve Morse". The Washington Post. p. B7.
  8. ^ Piccoli, Sean (May 7, 1991). "Sonic musical code in Morse guitar style". The Washington Times. p. E3.
  9. ^ King, Peter B. (March 17, 1991). "'Southern Steel' Showcases Morse's Wizardry". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. J3.
  10. ^ Graff, Gary (May 26, 1991). "A few words with ... guitarist Steve Morse". Zest. Houston Chronicle. p. 6.
  11. ^ a b Kohler, Paul. "Southern Steel - Steve Morse Band". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  12. ^ a b Wagamese, Richard (10 Mar 1991). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. F3.
  13. ^ McLeese, Don (21 May 1991). "Another Southern rocker...". Austin American-Statesman. p. C6.
  14. ^ Woodard, Josef (6 June 1991). "Steve Morse". Los Angeles Times. p. J4.
edit