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Friday, October 05, 2007

Morphine - Thursday



A group that, as one YouTube commenter puts it, "makes you want to spend the entire day in a bar," and, incidentally, one of Jailbait's favorite bands. From their second album 1993s Cure for Pain.

As Our Host mentions, Sandman's primary instrument was a two-string bass guitar with both strings usually tuned to the same note and played with a slide. The minimalist group also included Dana Colley on a variety of saxes, and either Billy Conway or Jerome Deupree on various percussion instruments. Asked to describe their sound, the band coined the term "low rock."

If you like Thursday, you'll like Morphine and you should go search out their tragically small discography. I also especially recommend Sandman's great collaboration with the Either/Orchestra on their album The Half-Life of Desire, where he does such a sweltering version of the Bing Crosby chestnut, Temptation, that you'll be tempted to ship out on a tramp steamer for the South Seas.

3 comments:

pamela hitchins said...

I have an acquaintance who traveled with Morphine and handled the stage sound for the band. A few years ago he sent me a CD complilation of their/his songs.I really liked his voice, and especially one song in particular -- "The Night." Interesting video, Fred.

Fred@Dreamtime said...

Thanks, Pam! Good to hear from you.

Peggy and I went to see Mr. D. at the Verizon on Friday. A knock-out concert. Having Elvis Costello open for him really seems to have Dylan fired up.

pamela hitchins said...

I was there!! A great night, I was just taking it in, since it was my first time seeing him. I read your review on Bill P's pages. I think we were sitting not too far apart. I was in the third row immediately to the right of the stage. Wish he'd played more guitar so we could have seen his gorgeous face! But I was thrilled just to be there. (Took me four hours to drive to Manchester.)

Elvis was outstanding.