RELEASE AUGUST 11th, 2010
7/17/2010 - Ocala, Florida—Acclaimed guitarist/composer Steve Morse has teamed up with breakout singer/songwriter Sarah Spencer to release Angelfire, an album of haunting, harmony-laden acoustic songs.
Steve Morse is often described as a "musician’s musician," acclaimed amongst artists but eschewing the public limelight. The six-time Grammy nominee is renowned as much for his writing as his guitar playing, garnering such accolades from peers as being voted “Best Overall Guitarist” for five consecutive years (Guitar Player magazine). Morse adeptly fuses a wide range of musical styles, including jazz fusion, bluegrass, southern rock, baroque classical and metal. Whether playing with the Dixie Dregs, the Steve Morse Band, previously with Kansas or currently (going on 15 years) with Deep Purple, Steve continues to leave his mark as a distinctive songwriter and guitarist.
Sarah Spencer, 22, grew up in a musical family. She began piano lessons at age six, and was recording original material at ten. At 14, she was cast in a VH1 reality show (ultimately cancelled) that followed the lives of teenage prodigies. She wrote in the operatic pop genre, inspired by orchestral movie soundtracks. Spencer began working with established producers during her teens, recording live-orchestral songs with producers Paul Weston and Al Steele.
Sarah met Steve when she was 16, and they began collaborating on what was to become Angelfire. “When I first heard Sarah sing, I was amazed…I’d never heard a voice so pure,” says Morse. “My first thought was to write an album with her so I could hear and share it with other people.” Sarah responds, “Steve has been so generous throughout our collaboration. Everyone knows about his incredible talent, but only a lucky few know about his big heart. I feel so blessed to be able to work with this renaissance man!”
Their collaboration represents several firsts for them both. Even after 44 albums, Steve has never written a vocal album. Sarah is stepping out front as a performer and songwriter. And despite their cumulative experience spanning multiple genres of music, neither has written anything that sounds like Angelfire.
At first imagining Sarah McLachlan meets John McLaughlin, or the collaborative approach of Robert Plant and Allison Krauss, Angelfire soars beyond compare into the hearts of audiences eager for fresh, unique new music. * * * * * * * * * * Credits
Steve Morse: Acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards Sarah Spencer: Lead and background vocals
Engineered by Steve Morse Mastered by Bill Evans
Cover art: Ken Westphal Photos: Jon Paul Douglass, Fran Ruschalski, Janine Morse
Bass guitar: Dave LaRue Drums: Van Romaine Produced by Steve Morse Written by Angelfire
Track Listing
1. Far Gone Now (3:50) 2. Everything to Live For (4:30) 3. Feelings Are Overrated (3:39) 4. What Made You Think? (2:57) 5. Here Today (3:55) 6. Get Away (4:25) 7. Pleasant Surprise (3:48) 8. Terrible Thing to Lose (4:18) 9. Omnis Morse Aequat (3:36) 10. Take It or Leave It (3:57) 11. Urban Decay (4:18)