Major Impact 2

Widely hailed as an innovative alternative to the more standard tribute album, Steve Morse's Major Impacts 2 concept sees him paying tribute to his influences, not with direct covers but with original tracks that recall the style of his heroes, filtered through his own interpretive sheen. Not only does it showcase his incredible versatility and inventiveness as a guitar player, composer and interpreter, it also provides a window into how he became the guitar player he is today. Like its predecessor, Major Impacts 2 features the guitarist's regular collaborators and Steve Morse Band members: bassist Dave LaRue and drummer/percussionist Van Romaine. Morse, who also played all keyboard parts and violin, produced the album, his third on Magna Carta.

Founding member of the fusion rock band, Dixie Dregs, and guitarist for Deep Purple since 1996, Morse adheres to the notion that his approach to playing and writing hasn't changed over the years, despite the many hats he wears and stylistic bases he covers. Indeed, it's his chameleon-like musicianship that is captured so perfectly on the multi-faceted Major Impacts 2.