Calling
the Dixie Dregs a
fusion band doesn't really do them justice. Granted, their music is full of the complicated forms,
jazz-influenced
improvisations, and heavy
rock attitude of the genre, but
the Dregs also incorporate
country,
folk, and
classical elements into their compositions. Although there is more than a little of the 1970s
fusion of
Jeff Beck and
the Mahavishnu Orchestra in their music and especially on this record,
the Dixie Dregs transcend these genre limitations so well that they might as well be performing in a different idiom. On
What If, their finest album,
Steve Morse and company breathtakingly illustrate their peculiar musical vision. As per standard operating procedure,
Morse is the primary composer and chief sonic architect. He is blessed with some of the greatest technique in
rock guitar, and he utilizes every facet of it, whether burning unison runs with violinist
Allen Sloan, chunking heavy, palm-muted lines along with bassist
Andy West, or playing impressively contrapuntal classically inflected nylon-string guitar.
Morse also has a very distinctive composing voice, and this shines through on seven of the eight tracks. The strongest moments on
What If are
Morse songs that incorporate a more folky influence into the
fusion, such as the almost straight-up
country of
"Gina Lola Breakdown." Also impressive is
West's lone songwriting contribution,
"Travel Tunes." This song lives up to its name by moving between melodies apparently derived from
British folk music, angular
fusion grooves, a Caribbean-sounding interlude, and straight-up
rock & roll. The fact that
the Dixie Dregs do this is a credit to their creativity; the fact that it works is a testament to their musicianship. This is music without labels -- emotional and logical at the same time, passionately played, and immaculately conceived. It is worth every penny. ~ Daniel Gioffre