Philzone.org - Philzone Phansite Community Discussion Board: Setlists and Reviews: Non GD Related Reviews: Archive: Steve Morse Band/Dixie Dregs-Salt Lake 1-13-07

Absolutely Fabulous evening! The Depot was the venue that we visited for the very first time. It is located in the old Union Station building. We were treated like royalty from the moment we walked in this beautiful room. My wife is legally blind so an employee named Scott saw to it that we had a table front and center before the stage. This guy was willing to do anything and everything to make sure we were comfortable and happy.
Steve Morse Band came on around 8pm. Steve-guitar, Dave LaRue-Bass, and Van Romaine-Drums ripped it up right outta the gate. I felt like that guy in the old Maxell ad with my hair blowing back from the sonic onslaught! It had been a good 20 years since I last saw him play and I don't know why I waited so long. Watching this power trio tear it up was quite a workout. Steve truely is one of the greatest guitarists alive. He showed me some techniques I'd never seen before and he's such a busy player! With his pick between two fingers, he'd pluck with two other fingers while controlling the volume and tone knobs with his pinky and working his foot and sometimes both feet around a vast array of pedals and floor switches. All the while, he seemed to be having a ball. I only wish I could include the setlist. They ended after an hour.
At 9:30, the Dixie Dregs came out with: Steve Morse-Guitar, Dave LaRue-Bass, Jerry Goodman-violin,T Lavitz-keyboards, and Rod Morganstein-drums. It took them a few songs to get in the pocket. The mix was a touch off at first. But, they indeed got up to cruising altitude and had the small crowd of lees that 400 on its feet. There was a good share of familiar tunes and a smattering of cover tunes including a Mahavishnu Orchestra number and a bluegrass medley(100% electric!). The encore began with Van Romaine coming back to the stage for an obviously well rehearsed, amazing drum duet before a stellar band encore.
Here is the setlist from Dave LaRue's spot-

Aftershock
Assembly Line
Good Intention
Sleeveless
Kat Food
Divided
Hereafter
Shapes of Things
Celestial Terrestrial Commuters
Take It Off The Top
Bash
Cruise Control>
Wabash Cannonball>
Rocky Top, TN>
Foggy Mtn. Breakdown>
Cruise Control

E:Drumz
Leeches

When the show ended, I caught one of Rod Morgenstein's drumsticks (and I cut my left pinky doing it). I shook Rod's hand. My buddy Charlie got to shake Steve's hand. I got Dave's setlist. Employee Steve came up to us handing us each Steve Morse and Dave LaRue promo pictures. *I went to the john to clean up my finger. Employee Steve gave my buddy Charlie a Steve Morse pick and my wife a Dave LaRue pick and then he found me in the bathroom and put a band-aid on my finger!
Never ever have I been treated so well at any venue.
Think I'll go back there for Railroad Earth on 4/9.

hope they come up this way

NICE!

Always good to hear that Morse is still out there rocking. Some people think he's ALL about technique, but I've seen him enough to know that he's more just just chops, plus he is a really nice guy.

That was a very good review you wrote here. I'm glad the staff at the venue were accomadating to your wife and yourself.I like the comparison of you feeling like the maxell guy. That's what Morse will do to you - make your hair blow back with some serious G force volume.
I have the opportunity to see them this coming Thursday.

And yes, Morse isn't all about technique.
It's about feeling and VOLUME !
I saw the Dregs reunion in Philly back around 1988 and I was the very front at a small venue and he just blew my head right off. He was using one of the Marshall anniversary stacks , the silver colored ones and the crunch factor was unreal.

One of my favorites.

Pretty much the same sentiments I had about the show at the Boulder Theater (a fine venue in its own right) on 01-12.

I didn't have enough familiarity with the Dregs and Steve's solo band to write a review of the Boulder show (up to this point, I've only seen him with Deep Purple, twice). Thanks for covering the highlights, especially the setlist!

I saw the Dregs back in about 1981 on campus at NC State. my room-mate and I took in a backpack with a 12-pack of Bud tall-boys and proceeded to boogie thru one of the best shows I've ever heard/seen. about 10 of our closest friends were also there and we all came out feeling like we got more than our $$'s worth. that band smokes...

ES

>>>My wife is legally blind so an employee named Scott saw to it that we had a table front and center before the stage.

Well now, that would be why I didnt find you.

I agree, my first time seeing Steve Morse although I did listen to the Dregs records a lot in the early 80's. This show was definitely worth the effort.

The Depot is indeed a fine venue but the $6 beers are a bit much. Personally I could do with a bit less swank. I would also prefer the dance floor not have tables. Kinda dumb for a rock show.

Nice to see Morse playing with the Dregs again. I was fortunate to see the band back in the mid-80s and have fond memories of that show. Speaking of Steve Morse, what's your take on his contributions to Deep Purple? I don't listen to a lot of hard rock these days but I've been pretty impressed with what DP have been doing since Morse took over for Blackmore.
Seems like a great fit to these ears.

I like it. I have heard that Blackmore gave Morse his blessing.

I went to Robert Earl Keen at Club Suede in Park City instead. One cold mo-fo. Minus temps in the evening. Wouldn't have minded seeing the Dregs, but I'm not much a fan of the Depot. Owned by concert promoter/asshole JC McNeil. $6 Utah 3.2% drafts in plastic cups? At least the $6 beers at Suede were full strength Sierra Nevada's. I had free tix to REK. But I had to stay somewhat sober for the ride down the canyon. Somewhat...

I thought it was a little short.. and not the best T Lavitz I've seen but hell they did play Denver the night before and Steve did a clinic in Bountiful earlier in the day and they were headed some where in california the next day, but oh well I love this band STEVE ROCKS! and what a great drum solo and it was cool to here Celestial!!

My Bar Tab WAS $80.00

Oh my gosh, there's another Ute I did not know about. Are you from Ogden, Al? I live in Roy.
I'd agree with you about T Lavitz. He seemed a little out of it.
Cachesoul, I was looking for you! I went strolling around a few times.

I was listening to Southern Steel earlier.
Such an excellent album.
I always said that Morse on a bad night could blow away Edward Van Halen on a good night.
Can you put those guys into the same category as far a shredding goes?
I saw Van Halen 5 times and the last time was in 1982.I lost interest after that.

Hey Gunnar, another time. Glad to year yer heading to RRE; I shall be there and am thinking on heading to Boise for the next night.

..>>..I would also prefer the dance floor not have tables. Kinda dumb for a rock show...<<..

That is why I did not go see them in San Diego Sat night..

Cant sit when music that intense is being played..

Hell.For that matter I can't sit when any music is being played live..

Thanks for the reviews..

I dig the band alot esp Goodman..Violin my fav instrument