1979-05-07
While I'm featuring jazz fusion-esque prog rockers from the 70's, I can't leave out The Dixie Dregs, and their exciting and unique blend of country, southern rock, classical, jazz, contemporary pop, and 'electronic nonsense' in a compelling and dizzying package. The basis of what came to be The Dixie Dregs were originally formed by guitarist Steve Morse and bassist Andy West back in 1970, and went through various names, forms, and lineups in their early days as Morse and West were music students at University of Miami. Their first recording (The Great Spectacular, 1975) was a limited independent LP release recorded at U of M. Their first major label release, Free Fall, came in 1977 after signing with Capricorn records (and a recommendation by Chuck Leavell of the Allman Brothers Band). The critical success of that album led to What If (1978) and their first major tour, with a lineup of Morse, West, Allen Sloan (violin), Mark Parrish (keyboards), and Rod Morgenstein (drums). Their next album, Night of the Living Dregs (1979) earned them their first Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance and garnered them a much wider following. Keyboardist T Lavitz joined the band around this time, as Mark Parrish left. However, in late 1979, Capricorn Records folded, and the band signed with Arista for their next several albums. The show presented here is a fine soundboard recording from the Night of the Living Dregs tour in 1979 and features the band in prime form, shortly after T Lavitz joined the band.
Tracklist:
01. Freefall
02. Gina Lola Breakdown
03. Punk Sandwich
04. Night Meets Light
05. Refried Funky Chicken
06. Patchwork
07. Night Of The Living Dregs
08. The Bash
09. Odyssey
10. Drum Solo / Cruise Control
11. Disco Dregs
12. Kathreen
13. Dixie
Steve Morse - guitar
Andy West - bass guitar
Allen Sloan - violin
Rod Morgenstein - drums
T Lavitz - keyboards
Dixie Dregs_1979-05-07_OaklandPkFL_mp3.rar
Thank you, fantastic stuff...I have always loved this band, not just the great guitar playing but the fusion like way they seemed to mix so many styles of music and still make it work...and still be fun to listen to!, great American music that is very underrated (just not commercial or image driven enough?)...much like UK bands such as Brand X?...never got the public recognition or sales they deserve, but hey ho...well respected by real fans and other musos and that matters more...cheers & thanks again
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