Interview with Steve Morse - Sweetwater's Guitars and Gear, Vol. 91

[@Adipsia1]

Steve's an incredible musician and a lovely human-being. Whether you're an aspiring guitarist or just a regular guy, he's the best role-model that I know.

[@EthnHayabusa]

One of the better interviews I have seen. Thank you for not asking the typical string gauge/brand questions, or things that can just be googled. Steve is a huge influence, and wonderful human being.

[@KerrieRedgate]

Steve's interviews are always wonderful - my favourite guitarist/musician. Young musicians are so fortunate to have access to masters who are far more approachable and giving than when I was growing up. Back then, famous musicians were like untouchable celebrities. But these guys share everything, passing it along for future generations. Thanks, Steve! And thank you, Mitch, for the great questions!

[@Adipsia1]

Kerrie Redgate It's interesting to listen to Joe Satriani about his joining Deep Purple. Apparently he took a call from Steve Vai whose advice was not to go-ahead because he would always be compared to Ritchie Blackmore and it would kill his career. Joe stayed for a while - kudos to him - but Steve Morse picked up the baton and ran with it in the long-term. He knew that he could step in to Ritchie's shoes - and commit long-term - without losing his personal identity, or 'dis' Ritchie; I guess he went through the same with Kerry Livgren and Kansas... but for me 'Power' was their best album and that was Steve Morse. On a personal-note, whenever I feel down I can play a Steve Morse interview and immediately feel revitalised... the 'Light' just shines through him and everything he does.

[@KerrieRedgate]

Peter Marshall Steve definitely is a beacon of light. I love reading his book "Open Ears" (from his Guitar mag column). The guys in Deep Purple credit the band's survival to Steve joining the band at that juncture, not just musically (which was huge) but he made a big difference on a personal level... When interviewed on stepping into Richie Blackmore's shoes, Steve replied, "When Richie left, he took his shoes with him."

[@Adipsia1]

Kerrie Redgate Hi Kerrie, I'll track down the book, thanks for the recommendation. I find the Deep Purple Ritchie/Steve situation really interesting, it's always seemed to me to represent an example of darkness and light. I think it's hard to find a musician more 'black' than Blackmore or more light than Steve Morse. Ritchie really had the milk of human-kindness coursing through his veins... said no one, ever !

[@KerrieRedgate]

Peter Marshall It's interesting that I was not a Deep Purple fan during the Blackmore era (when I was a rock singer). By their own admission, the energy in the band was strained in the old days. It does come through the music, as accomplished as they all were, even in those days. Their energy and joy on stage with Steve (as I can see in their DVDs - I have yet to see him live!) is infectious! Yet, Steve is very humble and gives credit to a lot of the good riffs that came out of Richie, and he still incorporates those. We are sooo fortunate that Steve did not stick to commercial flying! It was inevitable that the music in him would win as a profession. From memory, I think I found the book on Amazon, only a few years ago. Really insightful stuff, and often very funny! One of the things Steve stresses in the book is the need for musicians to develop themselves: to become tolerant of others, and generous in their attitude. He certainly personifies that.

[@Adipsia1]

Kerrie Redgate The historic divisions within Deep Purple are legendary though I sense that most were centred on Ritchie, whose ego always demanded that he was 'top-dog'. Jon Lord and Ian Paice will always be up there for me with the best, and Roger is also a solid-musician. I think unless Steve had come along to quieten and sweeten things, the band would have died many years earlier. Perhaps the saddest part for me was the concert for Jon Lord held at the Albert Hall in London; Jon was such a talented, well-respected musician and a gentleman. There's a great interview of Jon Lord by Rick Wakeman somewhere on KZbin that's well worth 30-minutes of your time as a fellow-rocker of a similar vintage. Everyone who was anyone, attended... apart from Ritchie. Very sad. Anyway, I digress... however, I must say that Mitch - the interviewer - bears a striking resemblance to Jon Lord in his later years !

[@ShempDavidNiven]

Forty years ago Steve Morse was already the perennial GUITAR PLAYER Guitarist of the Year. Amazingly, in the ensuing four decades he's only gotten better, deeper, more resonant; age has mellowed and sharpened him both at the same time like fine brandy. Can I offer a stupid opinion? I think the secret of his genius is his complete honesty and lack of guile. There are no tricks or gimmicks that he doesn't show you right at the outset. Steve Morse is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but - and this is the key to his greatness and mastery.

[@108KOG]

A humble person unaffected by stardom and an excellent musician

[@samarhello]

I would call this guy the single best guitarist in the world--only Bucketed and Steve Vai come close, but nobody in the world can match his tone and his versatility--and nobody else plays the guitar with so much joy in every note.

[@bilalmalikguitarist]

yeah, IMO both steves are quiet close, head on match

[@daisukemina5500]

Exactly!!!

[@Michael-qe6wr]

Been a fan since "Take it off the top."

[@wesworach7441]

My absolute Guitar Guru since 1980 !!! Nothing has changed ! Genius Musician & exemplary Human Being ! ...

[@hazor777]

Once you realize that the music industry involves many different "existences" - the "flash in the pan" success, the one hit wonders, the avg 10 yr. "super" group / artist, the behind the scenes studio/touring musician, and the well rounded "musician's musician" (these are just a few..), you begin to see & appreciate those who encompass and can adapt their craft to the ever changing state of the industry (and I don't mean musical styles & popularity, I mean the money/business side of things : a means of making a living in accordance to what it is you "do".) Only then can you see what an incredible talent someone like Steve Morse is. Mind you, Morse has always followed his own "muse" & (from the looks of things) has never really compromised his art. That's something that is really inspiring - bc true talent is becoming more & more of a rare thing. Steve Morse is a legend , IMO.

[@rushyeskansas]

Great Interview Mitch!!! .... Steve is such a humble person and at the same time for me the most versatile guitarist in rock music business!

[@OmarRiveroPhotographer]

An absolutely absorbing in-depth interview! Had to pick up my guitar while watching to avoid being overcome with shame at not practicing at that moment. Morse is gifted with not only technique, but an eloquent tone that speaks with sublime joy in nearly every note. Its downright scary what the man can do with the instrument. Mitch also asked intelligent questions that went beyond your standard guitar magazine interview. Well done all around!

[@Voxtender]

So expressive with his pick up switching and vol/tone changes. He and Eric Johnson are the best at it. Sets them light years apart from all others.

[@NuclearGrizzly]

He's the reason I play with my pinky wrapped around the volume knob.

[@joewilliams3919]

I “met” Steve at a Dixie Dregs show at Brothers Music Hall in Birmingham AL in about ‘81 I asked him a couple dumb guitar questions and he was the nicest most patient guy you could imagine - he talked to everybody - and the show was of course jaw dropping He really is a great guy and truly appreciates his fans

[@JesusOtinChannel]

It is always great to have the opportunity of listening Steve Morse

[@KennethGonzalez]

What an excellent interview and master class on equipment, dynamics and phrasing! Anyone who wants to take their chops to the next level should integrate this stuff into their thinking/playing

[@IwoIwanov]

Excellent questions. Lets Morse talk. Great to watch. Thanks for this one.

[@EvanJr]

So much control of your thoughts through the music. A truly master!

[@gitarmats]

Steve Morse is an absolute legend.

[@hemiheader]

I really enjoyed this interview. Thanks so much to both of you.

[@stevesmith3990]

Great interview, I could listen to Steve Morse talk and play all day.

[@Adipsia1]

Steve Smith And Mitch needs credit for coaxing more from Steve, without stamping his character all over it. A great interviewer - like Mitch - cajoles and gets the best from the interviewee but blends into the background.

[@stephenchow5161]

thanks so much for this sm is a great, great player and very humble nice guy as well!

[@kingbee48185]

Steve Morse kicks ass. He is humble about it as well.

[@GoranVedriskheops]

Steve Morse is such an awesome guy, and incredible guitar player.....Thank you for your amazing work, Steve.

[@kaplatyad]

Thanks a lot for the interview!

[@MahavishnuProject]

This is Steve Morse giving more than required, yet again. This is a MUSIC lesson.

[@MarijeEssink]

Awesome! As always it is a joy to listen to Steve and all the interesting things he has to say. He is so nice and down to earth too :-) Thanks a lot!

[@DeerCreekAudio]

Mitch...you've been asking some fantastic questions. SM is great, down to the purple gtr strap.

[@snoek1971]

Thank you so much for this interview! Steve is such a talented, versatile guitarist and seems to be a very nice and genuine guy.

[@maudonnet]

Great interview !

[@dapperdanman1956]

Hazzar777! You summed it all up and really so well that it shows your own Knowledge of this great gift, that comes to musicians from the cosmos.and to imagine that at times all over the world we play at the same time same tune same key,even very similar licks. Awesome thought

[@MrPhilbirkhead]

I really do love the Flying colors music. Second nature was the first album for me and I’ve listened to that over & over. Such great music. All the albums are amazing and live is so great. Really hope they keep going and when bands can tour again We’ll get another chance to see them.

[@dfwlistener7593]

Brilliant and kind soul.

[@KingTabor]

Awesome job, tks!

[@ruslanmamutov6799]

He is absoloutly phenomenal player

[@debaser71]

those tone swells are sweet

[@timothycormier3494]

I couldn’t agree more. I like live albums. But the studio production has so much work that goes into it. Sometimes there is music that the band can’t play live. But we have to remember what music is. It’s art! Some people look at over dubbing as cheating and all the tricks of the studio as “not real”. But it’s about the finished piece of art. Does it look good? Does it sound good? Does it taste good? The studio allows the artists to explore and expand their art into something that just playing live with a band could never allow for. Don’t get me wrong. There’s something magical about three or four dudes jamming and creating. It’s probably my favorite thing in the world to do. But sitting down with a guitar and a four track recorder/looper. It’s extremely personal and magical in its own right.

[@decisiveweb]

All I can say is WOW

[@tunoman]

My favorite guitar hero! This model is like a Millenium Falcon of the electric Guitars...just think about it!

[@wesworach7441]

And mine since 1980 !

[@KowankoMusic]

His manipulation of the guitar's tone and volume controls almost rivals Jeff Beck's. What a master!

[@luisteixeira00]

But can he play Smoke On The Water? 

[@manuelalvarez25]

Luís Teixeira he plays the best song of DP!

[@DatAnydex]

What a virtuoso! Amazing.

[@cheeseburger1884]

"VIRTUOSO GUITARIST" That accurate description lol

[@jonathaneisenberg6796]

Look forward to some Dregs and/or SMB dates in the near future...

[@88omair]

12:37 Why does Steve have to get older? :(

[@Adipsia1]

Omair Sheikh I know what you mean, but I think he just gets more relevant. We need more Steve Morse's in this world.

[@88omair]

Peter Marshall True that, his style is still very unique and as always his focus is on passion and soul as opposed to showmanship. I really wish he works on another SMB or Dregs record soon.

[@Robstafarian]

Steve is a great guy, and this is a great interview. I would have hoped for more discussion of the convoluted switching on his signature guitar, but that is why my Sales Engineer does not have to watch the clock. :P

[@goldpython2263]

I've had one of his blue guitars for quite a while. If it's just questions about how the switches work, I can help.

[@Buddachild666]

I think mitch forget to ask what type of string's steve use so he can explain them. Thanks

[@nguyenthuyable]

he was much older .. why? I am very sad :(((

[@MisterGuitarItalia]

Guitar God.

[@jojli8325]

23:30

[@RodrigoAlves_Guitar]

Nice tone, usually i dont like his tone so much

[@BJrok]

Had he not picked with his right hand, would he have sounded the same? Don't particularly like his approach in picking. He digs into the strings too much and plays too hard imho. Wish he could use a thicker pick with a lighter touch. Just a few qualms...