Andy West: The Complete 1978 Dixie Dregs Interview

[JasO]

In the late 1970s, Capricorn recording artists the Dixie Dregs were on the cutting edge of American fusion. Guitarist extraordinaire Steve Morse wrote and orchestrated almost everything the band played, and Andy West, his pal since high school, provided the muscular bass lines. In 1978, during the Dixie Dregs’ “What If” tour, I had the opportunity to interview Steve, Andy, and their road manager, Twiggs Lyndon.

I’ve just finished transcribing the complete Andy West interview, which is gear-intensive from the get-go. Andy had a lot to say about playing his Alembic bass through an Oberheim synthesizer and a staggering array of effects devices. He also goes into the elaborate pedalboard he constructed with Twiggs, the benefits of certain types of bass strings, playing with a pick vs. fingers, and other techniques. He had fond recollections of close encounters with Jaco Pastorius, and explained what it was like working with Steve Morse. If you’re interested, I’ve posted the conversation here: Andy West: The Complete 1978 Dixie Dregs Interview

[AltGrendel]

Wow, I love his work.

Thanks for sharing.

[Lobster11]

Wow. You must be the slowest transcriber of all time!

Seriously, thanks!

[Lobster11]

The Andy West interview was cool, but the Steve Morse interview was really fascinating!

One of my all-time favorite concert memories is from a show in Denver some time in the mid-80's or so. I went to see John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola, and Paco de Lucia play as a trio. (No need to explain how amazing THAT was.) Steve Morse was the opening act, playing solo against pre-recorded stuff. I was a big fan of his and of the Dregs, but I was a little disappointed to see him playing to recordings instead of with a live band. But after the Trio finished their set, they added a fourth chair so Morse could sit in with them for the encore. They launched into some high-octane thing and passed around the lead, with Morse taking the last solo. I will never forget the look on the other guys' faces while he was blowing everyone's doors off!

[bottomzone]

Andy is an insanely underrated bassist!

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

[corinpills]

Thanks for sharing, Jas. I have been reading your work for many years.

[rulyongo]

Andy West is an amazing bassist!!! Now, to read Steve Morse's...

[woodyng]

Thanks,Andy's one of my favorite bassists,ever!

[MonetBass]

Jas, thanks for sharing that. Andy is one of my all-time favorite bassists and was an inspiration to me.

[JimmyM]

Great interview, Jas!

[Richland123]

Andy West is one of my all time favorite bassists. I always thought it was very cool that Andy West had one of the original Steinberger basses. Ned Steinberger designed the L2 in 1979 and introduced it at the summer NAMM show. Three prototypes were sold at The Guitarman to John Entwistle (The Who), Tony Levin (King Crimson) and Andy West (The Dregs).

My Steinberger L2 was made in 1983 and I still play it on every gig since January 1984.

[Tumeni Notes]

Great article. Andy is indeed a very under-rated bassist; I don't recall him mentioned in too many polls. He did some great work with the Dixie Dregs and should be mentioned a lot more in the "best" bassist polls.