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Danny Morris Band

"StormSurge"

New Moon NMc-9717

I can’t believe you missed this guy! Yow!! Incredible digital dexterity! And reeeallly fast, too! I’m in luv . . .

Morris is all over the musical universe and great at it all. After 4 years fronting the Blue Note Special blues band and 4 years with the Nighthawks, he’s definitely blues at the core, but flirts with a bunch of styles on the 17 cuts. A fan of the three minute song, about 3/4 of the cuts are Morris originals. As the liner notes say, this is Otis Rush meets the Ventures or Dick Dale or Albert collins or all of the above, plus I heard bunches of other influences.

His jazzy surf guitar on Beat cop is complimented by the bone vibrating bass of Paul Barker. Swinging With You Baby starts as old timey rocker, then breaks with some deep, exciting guitar licks backed by George Johnsons just right drumming. The jazzy sax of Todd Wade in Violated doesn’t take away from the Dragnet-goes-surfing sound. Fabulous guitar technique here.

There’s a soft bump and grind latin sound on Mowgli’s Bounce. The guitar is clear, clean, ahhh lovely. Almost a Santana touch. Renee’s cha cha is another island-latin influence with some good ole guitar for my latina dancin’ feet. Jimmy Rogers’ That’s Alright is quintessential beautiful blues.  Run chicken Run is fast and fun finger picking and really shows the drumming talent of Johnson. These guys actually sound like they practice a bunch together - it’s a delight to behold.

Women From Pluto is a hard driving B sci-fi movie  theme combined with a Hawaiian touch. She’s A Liar is a 60’s British beat - ack!  It’s the Beatles! Sorry, just hallucinating. Someone who’s not long distance needs to request Garbage Man on Soul Man’s show. It’s perfect for his dirty blues sets. A rockin’ version of Earl King’s come On (Let the Good Times Roll) is the longest cut at 7:38 minutes, but it kept me dancing every second (yeah, I’m wearing holes in my rug). Danny’s flying fingers and string bending are sooo cool, now I hear Stevie Ray.

I had a hard time writing this review, I was hoppin’ and boppin’ so much. My poor beagles are beat and think I’m a loon. I could live off this guys talent. Talk to every club owner you know and get him back here!

MER

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