James Morrison, is about to make a huge splash in the US. This UK based singer has hit the top of the charts in the UK and sold over 1.6 million copies worldwide to date. He recently won the "Brit" award for Best Male British Solo Artist (other nominees in the category were Paolo Nutini, Jarvis Cocker, Thom Yorke and Lemar).
Selected to compete in the AOL BREAKERS "hot new artist", AOL is giving fans a chance to vote for their favorite new artist. With unlimited voting allowed along with international voting, this could be the huge "tipping point" for Morrison.
Recently Morrison has performed “You Give Me Something” and “Wonderful World” on Jimmy Kimmel Live on January 30th. Undiscovered was included in Blender’s “2007 Most Anticipated Albums” feature in their January print issue
James will be performing on The Today Show on March 16th — check out the local listings for time and tune in. Also that same night at SXSW (read AUSTIN TEXAS and KCRW/AOL event) at 9:30 pm at La Zona Rosa on 3/16/2007/ If you are in Austin and can find tickets to see Morrison, BUY THEM NOW!! Do NOT wait.. buy them– whatever the cost. This date will feature a minimalist band and will be a HOT ticket– and one of those "once in a lifetime" events.
James Morrison’s album Undiscovered drops March 13 here in the US!. ORDER NOW!! It’s an album that will be burning your ipod and in your car.
Track Listing:
1. Under the Influence–gospel-infused blues/jazz inflected song that’s bound to drive you wild
2. You Give Me Something–the anthem of everyone who’s afraid of trying something new– especially in a relationship, recognizing that love might be recognized and found a moment too late. ( here’s an audio stream of this song)
http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/interscope/jamesmorrison/undiscovered/audio/96_yougivemesomething.asx
3. Wonderful World– a personal fave of Morrison and a radically different presentation. This one can bring tears to your eyes if you hear it at the "wrong moment" ..
4. Pieces Don’t Fit Anymore— breaking up because you finally realize it just doesn’t work any longer. GORGEOUSLY melancholy . This will be in a movie August Rush with Robin Williams who tried to convince Morrison to act in the film–which Morrison turned down because music is his life and focus.
5. One Last Chance– for those who understand that they have screwed up something fierce and must get their act/life/s*** together, this is THE song for you. It’s definitely a song to keep you strong.
6. Undiscovered– title track– He’s not lost, just undiscovered. (This is so my song!)
7. Letter– we have all been there and had this happen to us. At different times of your life you will identify with this song–whether it’s a love affair, work or friendship, it’s all about knowing what’s inside the letter but not!
8. Call the Police– call the police, I am so angry, I am about to make you bleed. This is the song when you need to let your rage go.
9. This Boy– Morrison’s personal anthem, this is a killer song. It’s amazing.
10. If the Rain Must Fall– gorgeous tune with lots of passion and lyrics
11. Last Goodbye— the romance ends. The bleeding may continue but the pain is going to stop.
This blues and jazz infused music is something so radically different– harkens back to the days of late 60’s, 70’s and 80’s with the different r&b vibe and the songs are clear in their vibrancy and theme. Think Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Otis Redding, Joe Cocker, Van Morrison, a young Rod Stewart, the Police and references to Traffic and Steve Winwood –even Clapton–are here. There is no mistaking his feelings here. Written by Morrison, these songs are genuine reflections of his life at different times and written in that manner. Think of it as a glimpse of the soul of this young man who has experienced a life that might be quite different from yours– though I do know where he’s come from and recognize/appreciate and identify with everything he’s experienced. It’s something that Atlantic Records producer and co-founder Jerry Wexler recognized: Morrison has a voice “with its own thumbprint. Hear it once and you’ll forever recognize it.” (As a baby, he had a terrible whooping cough, which may have left him with scarred vocal chords).
Morrison worked his way up from learning the music that he heard as a child, encouraged by an uncle and also just working on the streets singing while he also worked other jobs to support himself. Praise won by hard work and the hard times he experienced as a child is definitely keeping him focused on the target.
Check out the podcast and listen to the conversation that LA STORY had with James Morrison just last Thursday!
LA STORY gets a chance to talk to musician/singer James Morrison BEFORE he drops his CD in the US!
Want to learn more about Morrison — straight up from him?
Check out the ‘webisodes’ for clips of him in video format talking about his music and performing. Definitely a "snapshot" into the soul of his music and what’s the driving force behind his music.
Websites:http://www.jamesmorrison-us.com
Myspace.com: http://www.myspace.com/jamesmorrisonmusic
BBC interview features some interesting tidbits on Morrison as well.
Ok.. I know you want more. Once you hear his stuff on audio. it’s as addicting like waving seriously great chocolate in front of a choco addict. Honestly, as one interviewer said, it’s worse than "Lays potato chips because you can’t stop till you finish the bag". (personally — it’s cheetos but you get the drift.) Morrison’s music is addictive and you keep on play/repeat/play/repeat because it’s one of those CDs that embeds itself into your brain.
Speaking of embeds– what’s an LA STORY music blog without an embed?
Another nifty blip on the James Morrison comes from the tv show, EXTRA!– via Youtube.com. This is a great piece on how they actually recorded the album and it’s truly a group effort here.
So you might want to buy a ticket to one of his concerts ! Here’s the list of tour dates. Do realize that LA is already SOLD OUT. Do NOT wait, call or get online and BUY tickets through this site and see what’s available
TOUR DATES:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno — Wednesday March 21
Ferndale/Detroit, MI
Magic Bag 22920 Woodward Avenue 48220
4/5/2007 8:00 PM Concert
Toronto, Ontario
The Mod Club Theatre 722 College St. M6G 1C4
4/10/2007 9:30 PM Concert
Cambridge, MA
T.T. the Bear’s 10 Brookline St. 2139
4/11/2007 9:00 PM Concert
New York, NY
Knitting Factory 74 Leonard St. 10013
4/15/2007 8:00 PM Concert
Nashville, TN
3rd & Lindsley 818 Third Ave. S. 37210
4/16/2007 8:00 PM Concert
Atlanta, GA
Vinyl 1374 W. Peachtree St. N.W. 30309
4/18/2007 9:00 PM Concert
Denver, CO
Larimer Lounge 2721 Larimer St. 80205
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