| Southern Steel | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Steve Morse |
| Cover: | Steve Morse - 1991 - Southern Steel.jpg |
| Released: | 1991 |
| Recorded: | M.O.R. Studio, McDonough, Georgia |
| Genre: | Instrumental rock |
| Label: | MCA[1] |
| Producer: | Steve Morse |
| Prev Title: | High Tension Wires |
| Prev Year: | 1989 |
| Next Title: | Coast to Coast |
| Next Year: | 1992 |
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. "Simple Simon" was a minor heavy metal radio hit.[5] Morse promoted the album with a North American tour.[6]
Morse, who wrote all of the album's songs, was backed by drummer Van Romaine and bass player Dave LaRue.[7] [8] Morse first worked on the music for "Arena Rock" during his time with Kansas.[9]
The Calgary Herald wrote: "Obviously an ardent Jeff Beck fan, this one rings with everything Beckish except Jan Hammer." 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."
The Austin American-Statesman deemed the album Morse's "most mainstream rock to date."[10] The Los Angeles Times called it "instrumental rock in overdrive but with conspicuous intelligence in the driver's seat."[11]
Paul Kohler at AllMusic wrote that "Morse always delivers, especially on this uptempo, hard-hitting, instrumental rock virtuosity."