Southern Steel is the fourth studio album by the American guitarist Steve Morse, released in 1991.[2][3][4] "Cut to the Chase" appeared on the soundtrack to Ski Patrol.[5] "Simple Simon" was a minor heavy metal radio hit.[6] Morse promoted the album with a North American tour.[7]
Production
Morse, who wrote all of the album's songs, was backed by drummer Van Romaine and bass player Dave LaRue.[8][9] Morse first worked on the music for "Arena Rock" during his time with Kansas.[10]
The Calgary Herald wrote: "Obviously an ardent Jeff Beck fan, this one rings with everything Beckish except Jan Hammer."[12] The Chicago Tribune determined that "the album is fast and heavy hick-rock and though it goes through plenty of chord and tempo changes, Morse's fingers never get cold."[5]
The Austin American-Statesman deemed the album Morse's "most mainstream rock to date."[13] The Los Angeles Times called it "instrumental rock in overdrive but with conspicuous intelligence in the driver's seat."[14]
Paul Kohler at AllMusic wrote that "Morse always delivers, especially on this uptempo, hard-hitting, instrumental rock virtuosity."[11]
