Andrew Morris: Busy Busy Busy

Busy would be an understatement when looking back on the last couple of months for Andrew Morris.

Finishing off his 4th solo album- Needs and Wants- releasing an album with his band of bluegrass affiliates The Wilson Pickers, tours, more tours and a couple of festivals- its been one crazy way to fill in time over the summer. The Dwarf managed to track down a slightly exhausted Andrew Morris, who has found his way back to Brisbane for a few short weeks to renew and refresh the batteries, before the fun of album launches and more festivals and shows begins again.

Teaming up with the rather talented Marty Brown, and with a little help from a few friends, Needs and Wants was recorded in just 5 days down in Victoria. Always one to enjoy setting new challenges for himself, the album was originally written completely on piano by Andrew, before Marty and him put together the arrangments and collected an awesome array of talented friends to help out.

"I've wanted to work with Marty for a while now" Andrew said."He has such great ideas and I love where he's coming from. He was great to work with."

Andrew speaks with great respect about the man he met through Marty's wife Clare Bowditch, who is a proud member of the newly formed Mozettes. Marty and Andrew took the recording process back to basics, and used very retro methods- an analog tape machine. For the sound and style he wanted, it was the perfect choice.

Whereas his last album, Union Bars, was very much a smaller affair, with Moz singing and him and J.Walker playing all the instruments, Needs and Wants has a completely different sound and feel. And there were a lot more helpers in the studio.

Joining Moz this time around is Pat Bourke on bass, Roger Bergodas on drums, Steve Hesketh on keys, plus a horn section comprising Julian Banks and Phil Day. And lets not forget the beautiful Mozettes, made up of Clare, Laura Jean and Sime Nugent- who provided backing vocals.
"I mainly just sang this time around" Andrew said. "I think I only played guitar on two tracks."

With a large cast of talented musicians who also have other projects happening, it was a logistical nightmare getting everyone together. But get together they did. And it all went very smoothly.

The nine friends now plan on hitting the road together during March for a series of chaotic, but fun shows to launch the album.

"It'll be interesting trying to fit nine of us up on stage at some of the venues" Andrew said.

The series of 5 shows takes in the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and finishes off in Melbourne.

Mr Morris was a bit of a festival favourite over the summer, in his various guises.

After an album lauch tour and a few shows with the Audreys, The Wilson Pickers turned up at Queenscliff Festival, and turned up the heat at an already sweltering Woodford Folk Fest.

An amazing festival taking place on the Sunshine Coast, The Woodford Folk Fest transforms a small area in the quiet hills near the Glasshouse Mountains into a eco village full of great music and amazing food and products all wrapped up in a positive environmental message.

The Pickers played a total 5 times over the festival, all at different times and venues around the grounds- a slightly hectic way to see the old year out and the new year in.

Andrew Morris then opened the Green Stage at the Gold Coast Big Day Out. After watching friends The Gin Club play, the rest of the day was spent catching up with friends and playing cricket out the back. But fading light and an impending performance by Neil Young bought the game to a halt.

When Neil came on, long time fan Andrew could be found just a few metres back from the front, hidden in amongst the collection of old crusty admirers, watching the legend that is Neil Young perform.

Then there was Tamworth for the Country Music Festival. Playing on average about five hours a day, both by himself and as part of The Wilson Pickers, the festival was exhausting but rewarding.

"It was hard work, but lots of fun." Andrew said. "And on the second day I got to play with Bill Chambers, which was amazing, and I also got to play with Kevin Bennet."

And the rest of the year looks like it will be just as busy as the last one.

Although Andrew's solo work is his main priority, February and the start of March see him heading out with The Wilson Pickers to the Cool Festival and Port Fairy Folk Festival.

Plus there's plans for a new Pickers album in 2009, and Andrew will be promoting his new album and if he keeps to his current schedule of trying to do an album a year, more writing and recording, with festivals and shows as they come up.

So far though, this talented musician has managed to mainly fly under the radar and escape the notice of main stream radio, despite the amazing material he has written and recorded. Hopefully 2009 will see more people sitting up and taking notice of Andrew Morris, and he will get the recognition he deserves.

Andrew Morris plays:
12 Mar- THE GLOBE - Brisbane,
13 Mar- THE SOUNDLOUNGE - Currumbin
14 Mar- JOE’S WATERHOLE - Sunshine Coast
20 Mar- EXCELSIOR HOTEL - Sydney
21 Mar- TOFF IN TOWN - Melbourne

with The Wilson Pickers:
28 Feb- Cool Summer Festival- Victoria
6 - 9 Mar- Port Fairy Folk Festival- Victoria
28 Mar- Castlemaine Festival- Victoria
22 Apr- Brass Monkey- Sydney
23 Apr- The Vanguard- Sydney
24 Apr- Ruby’s- Victoria
25 Apr- Northcote Social Club- Melbourne
1 May- The Soundlounge- Queensland
2 May - The Zoo- Brisbane

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