Dick Morrissey

[Late]

I haven't heard any Morrissey. For those of you who have it, what do you think of this one? Or any other Morrissey titles?

Edited February 25, 2004 by Late

[Dan Gould]

I have no idea about him, but I'd just like to say that the title of the thread made my heart jump as I feared this was some new tome about Iraq and that Greg had somehow slipped back in!

[sidewinder]

Excellent player formerly very active on the UK scene, who sadly passed away from the big C about 3 years ago. He's best known for his work with the very classy jazz-funk unit Morrissey/Mullen (co-unit with Scots guitarist Jim Mullen) and this unit was particularly popular in the late 70s/early 80s. As for 'Storm Warning', I've only heard one track from it off the radio many years ago but what I heard was very tasty indeed, in a very funky groove. Nice lineup with (I hope my memory is right on this) Harry South on piano and Phil Seaman on drums. Check out the AAJ site - I've seen some discussion of Dick Morrisey's recordings over there not too long ago.

If anyone sees a good Fontana LP copy of this, let me know as I'm looking for one!

:rsmile:

Edited September 2, 2003 by sidewinder

[A Lark Ascending]

There's a new Morrisey/Mullen compilation just out called 'Everything Must Change' (Sulphuric SUCCD006). I saw them once on a visit to a friend in Aberystwyth University, c.1974. Wasn't too keen at the time but would like to hear this stuff again.

[Late]

Up, to see if anyone new has heard this title. Looks good on paper ...

[sidewinder]

Nothing further to add but a good reminder to me to pick up a copy of this on CD - thanks. I'd like the Fontana vinyl but never, ever, seen it.

[Late]

Sidewinder, did you ever pick this one up on CD?

[sidewinder]

Sidewinder, did you ever pick this one up on CD?

Sadly - no.

Still looking for an (affordable) vinyl !

Edited August 12, 2008 by sidewinder

[GA Russell]

He's best known for his work with the very classy jazz-funk unit Morrissey/Mullen (co-unit with Scots guitarist Jim Mullen) and this unit was particularly popular in the late 70s/early 80s.

Here in the US, Morrisey was best known as the leader of If, which many felt was the best jazz-rock band of the late 60s-early 70s.

I had the pleasure of meeting him twice. Very nice guy.

[sidewinder]

He's best known for his work with the very classy jazz-funk unit Morrissey/Mullen (co-unit with Scots guitarist Jim Mullen) and this unit was particularly popular in the late 70s/early 80s.

Here in the US, Morrisey was best known as the leader of If, which many felt was the best jazz-rock band of the late 60s-early 70s.

I had the pleasure of meeting him twice. Very nice guy.

Yes, I've heard from people who knew him that he was a very nice guy.

The nearest I got was circa 1980 when working over a college vacation at research centre in a small coastal resort town. Morrissey/Mullen were playing a gig at the local dance hall and somehow I damn well missed it. At the time their soul/R&B releases got quite a popular following.

Edited August 12, 2008 by sidewinder

[relyles]

I actually have a copy of this at home which I have never listened to. Maybe I will pull it out, give it a listen a report back.

[Late]

I can't find a copy of Storm Warning these days, but was thinking of purchasing Here And Now And Sounding Good, but would like to at least hear a few sound samples first. Anyone here have the latter album?

I've heard There And Back, and it fairly smokes. I need to listen to It's Morrissey, Man! more. It hasn't grabbed me yet.

[Peter Friedman]

I at one time had an LP copy of Storm Warning, but now have a CD copy. It's a good one. Morrisey is a very swinging British tenor player who made some solid recordings that tend to get overlooked.

I also have these two CDs under Morrisey's leadership.

There And Back

It's Morrisey Man

[relyles]

This morning I located this in a box in the basement with a bunch of other stuff that I have yet to listen to. I started listening to it in the car on my way to make the various children drop offs and to work. Very solid straight-ahead playing. Positive first impression.

[felser]

Here in the US, Morrisey was best known as the leader of If, which many felt was the best jazz-rock band of the late 60s-early 70s.

Their albums were pretty spectacular, well worth the import prices you'll pay for them in the USA. Would have loved to see them live.

[BillF]

I've never owned a Dick Morrisey album, but used to see him play in the sixties, particularly at the Bull's Head at Barnes in West London. "Storm Warning" recently got an airing on BBC radio.

[GA Russell]

Here in the US, Morrisey was best known as the leader of If, which many felt was the best jazz-rock band of the late 60s-early 70s.

Their albums were pretty spectacular, well worth the import prices you'll pay for them in the USA. Would have loved to see them live.

felser, I saw them live on consecutive nights in the fall of '70 - the first night in a small club, and the second night at the Univ. of Maryland (I think in their gym). The first night they let me tape their show. Unfortunately, I haven't seen that tape in decades. Great shows!

[sidewinder]

Didn't the lineup for 'If' include that excellent and under-rated guitarist Terry Smith? This album of his is very highly recommended - Scott Walker production recorded for Philips:

Edited August 14, 2008 by sidewinder

[GA Russell]

Didn't the lineup for 'If' include that excellent and under-rated guitarist Terry Smith?

Yes indeed! I didn't know that he was under-rated in Britain. In the US, his name is unknown.

[sidewinder]

Didn't the lineup for 'If' include that excellent and under-rated guitarist Terry Smith?

Yes indeed! I didn't know that he was under-rated in Britain. In the US, his name is unknown.

Very much so ! He does the occasional gig but rarely features here in the jazz press, unfortunately. That particular Philips LP is a classic though and remains something of a 'cult item'. Very much a straight-ahead session but tastefully done, with a mixture of small group tracks (in a Kenny Burrell vein) and Harry South arranged big-band charts. The influence of Scott Walker is quite prominent throughout too, in the general 'vibe'.

[mjazzg]

Resurrecting this thread to ask if anyone knows if the Japanese LP reissue of 'Storm Warning' on Norma is legit or not?

Edited August 12, 2021 by mjazzg

[sgcim]

 

On 8/13/2008 at 9:26 PM, GA Russell said:

 

felser, I saw them live on consecutive nights in the fall of '70 - the first night in a small club, and the second night at the Univ. of Maryland (I think in their gym). The first night they let me tape their show. Unfortunately, I haven't seen that tape in decades. Great shows!

I just met his son online, and he turned me on to this:

 

[felser]

1 hour ago, sgcim said:

I just met his son online, and he turned me on to this:

Amazing group, amazing clip, thanks so much for sharing!   Musically that is a totally sweet spot for me.  And the audience shots are priceless!

[sidewinder]

Great find - never been a fan of ‘If’, nor of Colosseum for that matter, very much of its time but it is great that this film exists. I guess you had to be there.

As mentioned, the audience shots are priceless and almost out of central casting and stage set decor with obligatory use of brown and orange.

[RogerF]

2 hours ago, sidewinder said:

Great find - never been a fan of ‘If’, nor of Colosseum for that matter, very much of its time but it is great that this film exists. I guess you had to be there.

As mentioned, the audience shots are priceless and almost out of central casting and stage set decor with obligatory use of brown and orange.

Inititally I wasn't an If fan and saw them as BS&T copyists but later warmed to them as their sound had a distinct edge and the songs were well-written and often very engaging and memorable. Terry Smith was a hugely underrated guitarist. I have all the If CD reissues (I think). Morrisey Mullen didn't do much for me but having seen Jim Mullen post-MM play live he is a phenomenal guitarist, his comping, using his thumb, not a plectrum, is faster than most guitarist can play single notes.  Storm Warning is alway a disappointment for me, not for the music which is obviously great, but for the lack of stereo. Surely Mercury must have recorded it with two mics but then only released a mono album? If so it's overdue a proper stereo release as happened with the RCQ's Dusk Fire.  Both the Morrissey and RCQ dated from 1966.

Edited December 18, 2022 by RogerF