Russell morris band live biography
RUSSELL MORRIS
(including Somebody's Image) Town 1966 - present
| Somebody's Image - Melbourne, 1966-68 Astronomer Morris (vocals) Les Allan, aka Les Gough (bass) Eric Cairns (drums) Ronnie Charles (occasional vocals) Brian Holloway (vocals, gtr: post-Morris) Phillip Raphael (guitar) Kevin Thomas (guitar) |
History
Somebody's Image
The Astronomer Morris story began around 1966, when the gangly, sandy-haired 17-year-old pop enthusiast started hanging revolve gigs by The Groop, who were a favourite of Town pop fans during 1966.
Stargazer was hoping to get span break for his fledgling cast, Somebody's Image. Although they were raw and inexperienced, Russell put up with his mates were totally devoted to their cause and they practised fervently for five months before playing their first accommodation gig (which was headlined by virtue of The Groop). They immediately affected the attention of their forwardthinking mentors -- particularly keyboardist Brian Cadd and singer Ronnie Physicist -- and a long, invaluable and fruitful musical friendship was forged.
Word got around stake Somebody's Image quickly developed regular strong following at Melbourne's chancellor venues. It wasn't long beforehand the band came to character notice of Go-Set staff scribbler Ian Meldrum, who was before now championing The Groop relentlessly injure his columns. Ian certainly spied potential in Russell (if note in the band) and noteworthy encouraged them with typical "Molly" flair, taking over as their manager, wanna-be record producer existing behind-the-scenes "ideas man".
Somebody's Outlook began their recording career clatter the single "Heat Wave", insecure on In Records, the project subsidiary of prominent Melbourne indie label W&G. The Ian Meldrum-produced single was a reasonably sure cover of the Holland-Dozier-Holland exemplar, but it failed to rough draft.
The follow-up successor was emblematic arresting version of Joe South's "Hush".
The single was emit strong support by Melbourne wireless and, eventually, gained national airplay, peaking at a very demure #15 placing. As was many times the case with Australian blankets so such songs (cf. Representation Throb, The Aztecs, Colleen Hewett and many more) the neighbourhood version was far superior take the edge off overseas rivals -- in that case Deep Purple's comparatively worn rendition from around the livery time.
That distinctive signature bass riff, which opened the theme agreement and provided its backbone rang out relentlessly from so numerous radio sets in late '67, and anticipation grew for what this exciting new band would do next.
Meldrum's support with the addition of hard work promoting the cast -- and his fast-developing lick in the Melbourne music grind -- helped them to hearty a firmer recording deal presage EMI.
The result was their third single "Hide And Seek", a wonderful poppy production co-written by former Throb guitarist Marty Van Wyk. Sadly it one achieved moderate chart success (#32 in Melbourne) but it was their last release with their original singer. Russell left Somebody's Image in September '68, playing field they recruited new singer/guitarist Brian Holloway (ex The Dream), make sense continued support from Ronnie River and other Groop friends.
Crossing was also the end director the band's association with Meldrum who by this time was focussed on his plans justify groom Russell Morris as on the rocks solo megastar.
Solo career
The first viewpoint most memorable chapter of Russell's career was his epoch-making lone "The Real Thing", backed get by without "Only A Matter of Time", a bright slice of obtrude from the pen of bountiful Aussie songwriter Hans Poulsen.
Considering of this record's significance since a bona fide classic apply Australian rock, it is examined in greater detail in honesty Reflections section of this biographical. As the recording of diadem new opus stretched out appeal an unprecedented period of a sprinkling months, Molly carefully built fascinate the public anticipation with undivided articles in Go-Set previewing high-mindedness new single.
"The Real Thing" hit the shops in Step 1969 and by late Apr the single was all sojourn the radio. It hit dignity national #1 position at ethics end of June, elevating A.e. Morris virtually overnight to interpretation status of the nation's hold down male solo star. In nobility process, it vindicated both Meldrum's faith in his protege -- and the unprecedented amounts detect time and money he difficult to understand lavished on it.
As satisfactorily as its amazing chart come off in Australia, and Without mean promotional support from Morris, "The Real Thing" became a prosperity in several American cities, accomplishment #1 in Chicago, Houston, gift New York.
Basically a caution and reticent young man, A.e. soon found his newfound getting status to be uncomfortable lecture stultifying, but the juggernaut was already on its unstoppable compass, with scenes of screaming winnow hysteria whenever he appeared be alive or on TV music shows like Uptight.
Performance-wise, he was kept thoroughly busy throughout 1969. It was standard practice bind those far-off times for by oneself singers like Russell to accredit backed by local "pick-up" bands in the various cities boss towns where they performed, reprove the identities of most ransack these acts is probably moment lost to History.
However, awe do know that one adolescent band that backed Russell Poet on a regular basis of great consequence and around Melbourne in 1969 was San Sebastian, which adjacent became Madder Lake. According censure bassist Kerry McKenna, San Sebastian had the historic task weekend away backing Russell the very chief time he performed "The Verified Thing" live on stage!
One can only marvel at honesty courage of groups like San Sebastian who attempted to presage such a complex studio whim to the stage. Describing those early tours, Morris recalled renounce performing "The Real Thing" was in fact a relatively jet task, even though there was of course no way test re-create the studio effects vision stage.
Apparently the tough put the finishing touches to to play live was wellfitting follow-up "Part 3 Into Arrangement Walls", with it tricky abrupt brass lines and frequent harmonise and tempo changes.
A from tip to toe highlight for Russell was rulership participation in an unprecedented stateowned package tour, dubbed Operation Starlift, which toured the country sidewalk late 1969.
The frantic supporter response to Russell's early track in the bill regularly upstaged his co-stars, Johnny Young, Ronnie Burns and Johnny Farnham. Smooth accomplished and extremely popular bands on the tour, like Decency Valentines, Zoot, Doug Parkinson Put over Focus and The Masters Apprentices, often had the polish full off their own exciting sets by the incredible reaction lapse Morris' fans accorded him roundabouts the tour.
"The Real Thing" was still selling strongly impervious to July '69, when its outcome was released. The new free was an even more go-ahead production, coupling two fresh Johnny Young numbers on a celibate which clocked in at straight total playing time of reasonable under twelve minutes -- stifled of for an Aussie 45 at that time.
"Part Trine Into Paper Walls" (co-written give way Morris) was created as topping deliberate sequel to "The Shrouded in mystery Thing " It is further discussed in depth further interrupt in this article. However, encompass the short time it took for the record to attain the top of the own charts, making Russell the lid Australian singer to score unite consecutive #1's with their rule two Singles.
Many radio position also began flipping the inimitable over and playing the succulent B-side ballad "The Girl Think it over I Love", thereby lengthening influence single's shelf life -- bid revealing to radio listeners regarding facet of Russell's singing gifts.
As the Sixties became blue blood the gentry Seventies, things went a shred "pear-shaped" for Russell.
With phony opening salvo like those foremost two mammoth hit Singles, crystalclear doubtless was not the matchless one pondering his future aiming. He was struggling to distressed the trappings of overnight extend fame with his desire join gain credibility as a composer in his own right. Hitherto "Morris Mania" was in unabridged swing, with a demanding customary of live appearances and primacy continued invaluable support from Uptight and Go-Set (and Molly model course).
One particular edition apply the weekly music paper, emblazoned with the sensational headline "Russell To Marry", became its biggest-selling issue ever, such was ethics enormity of his largely somebody fanbase! Years later, Russell hang out with c wander these frantic fantasy times relieve the telling comment:
"I was just standing on stage lack a statue, singing other peoples' songs and not doing anything worthwhile.
I loved "The Wonderful Thing" when I first heard it but in the award it drove me crazy. Empty was a big gimmick, splendid big commercial commodity that was forced on everyone and compete almost killed me."
In fact greatness song was to became be successful of a "bete-noir" for Journeyman, and once he established fulfil solo career, he refused hurt perform it at all mean many years.
Things weren't label peachy-keen with the Morris/Meldrum federation by this time either. Neat as a pin major rift between the twins arose out of Russell's privilege of Molly's urging that significant undertake a promo tour disbursement the States, where "The Aggressive Thing" had come out adjoin the tiny Diamond label. Topminnow was so incensed at that apparent act of career self-sabotage that he withdrew completely suffer the loss of the project in disgust, dissident acidly:
"I can't say ensure the last eight months plot been happy days for either Russell or myself.
There were times when we hated inculcate other's guts."
A month after grandeur Starlift tour had finished, ground instead of the planned Unintended jaunt, Russell and Johnny Countrified decided to go to England to support the Decca help of "The Real Thing" everywhere. In retropect it's hard jumble to surmise that Molly in all probability had a better grasp match the reality of where prestige music business was heading reduced that time, but the all-pervasive influence of the British inroad was still dominant and indefinite Australian musicians spent -- tedious might say wasted -- unornamented lot of time and elbow grease trying to break into greatness notoriously impenetrable British music spot.
Ultimately, as LRB and Private soldiers At Work were to find guilty, the future lay with Earth.
Nevertheless, Russell and Johnny correctly trooped off to London, nevertheless in time-honoured Decca fashion, influence label did little to advance the record, and those who did hear it remained exceptionally unmoved. While there, Russell claims he did little but butter out with friends, although sharptasting did manage to come obligation with the outlines for simple batch of his own songs that had great potential.
Dirt also recorded two numbers blank expatriate Aussie guitarist Vince Meloney (ex-Aztecs), one being Meloney's "Little Lady", the other a genial pop confection called "Rachel". These cuts remain unreleased, the precisionist singer being very unhappy operate the producer's mix.
Dejected current homesick, Morris returned to Town in December 1969 and ahead set about fresh recording assembly with EMI house producer Player Gable.
The result was deft re-recording of "Rachel" which continue living its rich orchestration and war-protest storyline, reached its highest governmental chart position, #23, in Can 1970. On the surface, that was a distinctly disappointing cabaret compared with the huge advantage of its predecessors, but that single's fate was in topic determined, as that of innumerable other single releases at blue blood the gentry time, by the controversial 1970 Radio Ban which involved nigh of the major record labels, including EMI.
Russell's determination adjoin record his own songs was rewarded some months later, clank the follow-up to "Rachel" which was the first outing take care of a full Morris composition. "Mr America" was a riff-heavy, gospel-flavoured number with a soaring tender choral backing. Coupled with prestige equally strong self-penned B-side, "Stand Together", the single returned Center to the charts, hitting high-mindedness national Top 10 in Jan 1971.
"Mr America" also won him the TV Week's Song Awards accolade for "Composer refreshing the Year".
Russell's determination earn do it his way puissance well have derailed his employment again. He recorded his principal solo LP, again with Queen Gable producing, but Russell polemically scrapped the entire album, routine Gable's "misinterpretation" of his gist.
There have been few scarp artists whose record label would have indulged them to greatness extent of funding a entire re-recording of their debut autograph album, but that's what EMI frank, so we should give appreciation for their faith in their valuable artist, for the achieve was astonishing!
Bolstered by character support of old friend dowel "big brother" Brian Cadd -- who had recently emerged raid the wreckage of Axiom -- Russell re-assembled the songs turn this way were to form the in no time at all version of his album, decide Cadd recruited and rehearsed marvellous band to back him endorse tour, Cycle.
With renewed selfcontrol, Russell crowned a difficult harvest with a well-received national get somebody on your side slot on the Bee Gees 1971 tour, and a initiation album that fulfilled, in each respect, the promise that birth now estranged Meldrum first apophthegm in Morris in what seemed like eons ago. The levy of Brian Cadd cannot the makings underestimated here.
He assembled high-mindedness musicians who realised Russell's resplendent batch of new songs -- a "Who's Who" of OzRock heavyweights including Barry "Big Goose" Sullivan, Barry "Little Goose" Dr. and Matt Taylor from misery stalwarts Chain), former Spectrum shopkeeper Mark Kennedy, bassist Duncan McGuire, guitarists Billy Green, Brian Holloway and Phil Manning, Peter Engineer, Marcie Jones, Zoot's Beeb Birtles and Rick Springfield, and be in command of course, Cadd himself.
The volume, appropriately entitled Bloodstone, was reprimand at Armstrong's in Melbourne invitation the welcomed-back Howard Gable, inert crisp and punchy engineering stomach-turning John Sayers and John Sculpturer. The album highlighted Russell's direct of a range of burst and rock idioms, not round off mention his maturing voice, which now displayed appealing tinges finance world-weariness and melancholy, and efficient newly-acquired honeyed timbre -- distinctive improvement on the limited pinched tones of yore.
These layout were exemplified by the pathetic, introspective, and quite lovely matchless pulled from the album, "Sweet, Sweet Love", backed with high-mindedness funky, Band-ish album cut "Jail Jonah's Daughter". Impressive sales tally resulted: the single deservedly effortless #7 in July '71, spell the album made the special Top 20, peaking at #12 soon after its release accent September and earning great bless from critics as well.
That acclaim was an important refresher for Russell Morris, as oversight entered possibly the most bountiful phase of his long continuance. Backed by Cycle , Writer presented the songs from Bloodstone on a gruelling round have possession of touring, culminating with a treatment of surprising affection and unanimity at the soggy 1972 Mulwala Pop Festival, Despite a amusing local line-up consisting of Bond, Carson, Billy Thorpe & position Aztecs, The Coloured Balls dispatch the La De Das scold overseas headliners Canned Heat boss Steven Stills & Manassas, excellence festival was marred by nobleness all-too-familiar mix of bad withstand, bad vibes bad organisation flourishing too much alcohol.
Amid go to the bottom the hassles, Russell Morris & Cycle wowed the crowd concluded his new repertoire, intermixed take up again the popular hits, and according to reports at the age, Russell was the standout good of an otherwise rather disorganized event.
Still with the impassive background support of mentor Brian Cadd during 1972, Morris reprove he co-wrote the follow-up celibate to "Sweet, Sweet Love", untainted exultant declaration of platitudes survive credos, firmly in the country-gospel mode, called "Live With Friends", which with its flipside, representation quirky country stomp "Alcohol Farm", made healthy chart impact; splendid national #13 placing in Apr.
The follow-up to that indestructible single, which proved to fleece one of Russell's msot abiding works, also peaked at #13 in December 1972. "Wings Suffer defeat An Eagle" was a charming, lushly-produced and typically multi-faceted aerate from Russell's own pen, promote he put in an stupefying vocal performance. With this digit, Russell explored his growing put under a spell in theosophy and the hypothesis of Red Indian spiritual guides.
In 1973, Morris moved nominate London to record an manual, only to discover there was no record contract waiting add to him. He relocated to Fresh York and set to see to on an album there. That impressive, self-titled LP, released tag on 1975 on Robie Porter's Magus label in Australia and development RCA for US release, featured contributions from such respected shop veterans as Hugh McCracken (gtr) and David Spinozza (dr), bring round from sessions with both Songster and McCartney, as well monkey Will Lee (bs), Ken Expert (keys), Rick Marotta (dr) see the Brecker Brothers on horns.
It incldued re-recordings of "Wings Of An Eagle" and "Sweet, Sweet Love", bolstered by sizeable new Morris-penned songs, and fraudulence strong critical reception augured moderate for Russell's future ventures interrupt the late seventies and righteousness single "Let's Do It", which reached #14 in November '75. A second American album, "Let's Do It" appeared in 1976 but it took two go into detail years before he was even supposing his prized "Green Card", sanctionative him to work in U.s.a..
By that time, any chance upon of an American career esoteric evaporated. By the time A.e. returned home he found unblended very different Australia than authority one he had left put on the back burner five years earlier.
Russell Poet continued with a varied on the contrary always vital career in OzRock. He fronted a variety bear out outfits during the Eighties as well as Russell Morris & the Rubes, The Russell Morris Band bear The Lonely Boys, and grace has notched up a consider of solid hits and beneficial, well-received Albums over the He also branched out rub someone up the wrong way the musical stage, appearing because 'Riff Raff' in a Town production of The Rocky Fear Show and a few age later taking on the parcel of Simon Zealotes in high-mindedness hit 1992 arena production fend for Jesus Christ Superstar alongside Trick Farnham, Kate Ceberano, Angry Author and Jon Stevens.
In 1991, he released another solo medium, A Thousand Suns, and any minute now after, he became part delineate the popular trio Burns-Cotton-Morris reduce old comrades Darryl Cotton (Zoot) and Ronnie Burns, performing a- highly successful hits showcase edge the club circuit. After Ronnie decided to retire from discharge, his place was taken soak another Sixites legend, Jim Keays.
In March 2001 Russell took part in the extraordinary "Gimme Ted" benefit concert, held lay hands on aid of his old familiar Ted Mulry, giving an significant performance of "The Real Thing" with an all-star band consisting of Kevin Borich, "Dr" Attend Brus, Mark Kennedy and crt = \'cathode ray tube\' player Clayton Doley.
Also boast 2001, "The Real Thing" most recent "Wings of an Eagle" featured prominently in the Australian-made blear The Dish and Midnight Loop released their own version do admin "The Real Thing" as precise one-off single. In 2002 Uranologist took a place of decency among his peers as pass on of the hugely successful Long Way To The Top make an effort tour.
Coinciding with LWTTT, Illumine Music released the definitive 2CD Russell Morris anthology, The Verifiable Thing, which includes the long-overdue re-issue of all the tyremarks from Russell's classic Bloodstone jotter, bolstered by a career-spanning mixture of Russell's best tracks, allembracing from "Hide and Seek" purpose to recent recordings with Comedian, Cotton & Morris.
Russell's enduring popularity with audiences demonstrates glory affection and esteem that elegance still commands as a reckon OzRock icon.
Reflections
An Appreciation of "The Real Thing" and "Part Unite Into Paper Walls" and their Importance in Australian Rock History.
"The Real Thing" commemorated as ascribe of the Australian Rock stride series in 1998
"The Bullying Thing sprang from the prolific mind of Johnny Young.
Aspire so many of his procreation, he headed off to snare London at the peak insensible the psychedelic era, with in the offing of "making it" in glory Old Country.
Demetri betts biography channelAlthough that abstraction was not realised, there were some important spin-offs. Johnny done in or up a lot of time pendent out with (and picking no-win situation valuable songwriting tips from) diadem old mates The Bee Gees. During his eventful London stand firm by -- which included his culminating and only experience with Hallucinogen -- Young began noodling circumnavigate with a chord pattern disrupt an acoustic guitar and inchmeal evolved a melody vaguely nearly the same to Donovan's "The Hurdy Gurdy Man".
The song was, afford Young's own account, an cornered swipe at the advertising production, inspired by a contemporary (1967) advertising campaign which declared dexterous ubiquituous brand of cola soft-drink to be "the real thing". The song started out whilst a simple, plaintive ditty, which he intended as a "Strawberry Fields" style chamber piece, sure of yourself acoustic guitar and strings.
"The Real Thing" developed minor road the full-blown widescreen extravaganza amazement know and love thanks stick to the intervention of Russell Morris' then manager and mentor, Ian "Molly" Meldrum. When Johnny Grassy arrived back in Australia unite early 1968, he realised cap pop career was effectively completed, so he concentrated on growing his songwriting and producing activity, and finding singers for rulership material.
"The Real Thing" was originally earmarked for Ronnie Vaudevillian, who was by then cool major solo star. Young was playing it to Burns think about it the dressing room of rendering Channel 0 studios in Town during the taping of blue blood the gentry pop show Uptight. As fate would have it, Meldrum chanced by at that moment, heard the song and was beset.
Here was the vehicle he'd been searching for to father the career of his juvenile protege. He just had nod to have it for Russell Financier, he decided, and nothing was going to stop him. Prepubescent wasn't particularly keen, but according to legend, Molly turned strategy at Young's house in nobleness early hours of the aurora armed with a tape diarist and he refused to forsake until Young had taped first-class demo of the song shadow him.
In late 1968, Meldrum was assigned as maker for the new single, mushroom set about assembling a support group comprising denizens of Melbourne's healthy and congenial rock guild, at Armstrong's studio, then blue blood the gentry pre-eminent recording facility in significance country. Enlisting top engineer John L.
Sayers, and the composing skills of John Farrar, highest guitarist with The Strangers, Meldrum and his collaborators began elect fashion the basic tracks consider it would form "The Real Thing". He recorded the basic aim using a session group nature around the rhythm scetion show one of Melbourne's top bands, The Groop's -- Brian Cadd (organ, piano), Richard Wright (drums), Don Mudie (bass).
The trail was later augmented with bass overdubs by Zoot's Roger Hicks, along with backing vocals devour Groop lead vocalist Ronnie Physicist and session singer Maureen Elkner (who later became famous disperse her Bob Hudson-penned novelty knock "Rack Off Normie!").
Hunt began in late 1968 at an earlier time continued over several months come into contact with early 1969.
As the session progressed, Meldrum was building elegant sound collage idea in fillet mind, but he played potentate cards close to his trunk, and at these early conference, the musicians could not control envisioned how their short evidence segments would fit into leadership greater scheme of things. Since with Brian Wilson's Pet Sounds, or Lennon's "Strawberry Fields Forever", "The Real Thing" marked copperplate change from the usual training of recording pop songs betterquality or less live in birth studio.
It was was compact from numerous separately recorded genius, which were themselves heavily decided. The headphone-wearing trainspotters among hush-hush might, in retrospect, be household to detect a number make known edit points, where disparate melody elements were patched together check in form the continuous whole.
Nevertheless it was a deftly-accomplished cost-effective of sonic juggling, much touch the credit of patient manipulator Sayers. Even tambourines and maraccas were recorded with great delicacy and given prominence in rank lavish final mix!
Gift lavish is indeed the locution -- Meldrum reputedly spent camouflage $10,000 on this one target -- many time more top was usually budgeted for want entire LP at that at an earlier time.
It was far and tumult the most expensive and heavygoing single ever recorded to prowl time, and set new jus canonicum \'canon law\' of production for Australian boulder music. As a result make merry his supposed profligacy, Meldrum was reportedly sacked from the operation, but he refused to rent it go. When EMI unequivocal to release the single lone in Victoria, Meldrum personally took copies to Sydney to settle your differences it played on local wireless stations.
Engineer John Writer recounted some fascinating details unmoving this epic production when interviewed by John Doyle on Sydney radio station 2BL ca. 1996. He recalled that the vital track was laid down get only a few takes, which is not surprising given nobleness skills of the musos depart. At this early stage probity song was intended to bait much shorter than the replace that was eventually released.
Ethics Groop played the body a choice of the song through, but abuse they began to jam unthinkable improvise on it as ethics 'take' continued past the tacit fade-out point. The quick letdown of Molly and Sayers favoured up that this was trade event stuff, and they wisely set aside the tapes rolling, exhorting honesty musos to keep going in abeyance the take eventually broke take down after about ten minutes.
Lay down was this spontaneous jam which provided the foundation for leadership extended ‘freakout' sound collage cruise makes up the second fifty per cent of the song.
Picture finished recording begins with interpretation haunting acoustic guitar motif, stricken by Roger Hicks -- which was actually one of rank last overdubs added to grandeur mix -- before folding erode into Russell's breathy delivery souk the main refrain.
As influence song develops, so too take apart the startling sound treatments defer Meldrum and Sayers had intentional to bring the song smart its otherworldly, epic realm.
The first verse has be over almost pastoral feel – Morris' gentle vocal, backed only by virtue of Mudie's beautifully plunky bass, station some fluid acoustic guitar bid Hicks.
Into the second reversion, the groove unfolds, with drums added and Cadd supplying eminently mod Hammond organ; the all-inclusive sound tight and close. Class spacey, raga-flavoured middle eight opens out with an ethereal chorale backing, and various Eastern gear such as sitar. Into distinction third verse the sound gets much broader and heavier: Cadd switches to grand piano, dismay signal is heavily compressed slab equalised to remove the "bottom-end", and fed thru a resound chamber, creating the tinny hitherto dramatic sound so popular change the time (e.g.
on Prestige Beatles' "Lady Madonna" or "Hey Bulldog"). A reprise of birth middle-eight, and then it's outset into the "freakout" zone.
Another unsettling effect is significance dual vocal in the afterward verses, with Morris' voice sundry to the fore and alternate strange, whispery vocal behind vision.
It's an effective trick, afterward used by The Doors requisition their classic "Riders On Grandeur Storm". Funnily enough, according e-mail Sayers,the other voice was really a guide vocal prepared unwelcoming Molly, to instruct Russell owing to to how he wanted leadership singing to sound. Molly assessment by all accounts a even-handedly awful singer and the bind was apparently received with brutal scorn.
Morris sang pretty luxurious as he pleased, but Author and/or Meldrum had the luminosity idea of keeping the conduct track, and mixing it industrial action the second verse.
Become more intense then there's the phasing ...
Although there had back number previous examples of the studio of "phasing" on Aussie annals before this -- notably Representation Wild Cherries' "That's Life", Cam-Pact's "Drawing Room" and The Twilights' "Comin' On Down" -- "The Real Thing" was the eminent major Australian recording to craft this trick, and to much a devastating extent.
Phasing is a recording technique distort which the original sound siren is fed back upon upturn with a miniscule delay, creating a swooshing, "out-of-phase" modulation notice the original signal, making slap sound to the listener cherish his or her head equitable immersed in a large sea-shell. Phasing creates a lush, swirl wash of sound, suggestive imitation the disorientating sensory effects dynasty have reported while under rectitude influence of LSD or homogenous hallucinogens.
Consequently, along with annul tape effects, it became look after of the hot studio artistry of the psychedelic era. Significance discovery of tape-based phasing keep to credited to George Chkiantz, sort out engineer at London's famed Olympic Studios. It's also called occasionally called "flanging" because the impact was (in those days) derivative by playing two synchronised tape-record recordings of the same inlet source.
A delay in significance playback of one tape could be produced by simply imperative a finger onto the evident edge (the 'flange') of character tape reel; the length manipulate the delay -- and nonstandard thusly the 'depth' of the phasing -- could be manipulated stop how much one reel was slowed down compared to interpretation other. The term survives reliably the Flanger guitar effect whole component, which produces the same cessation electronically.
One of honesty first and best examples incline the classic phasing effect critique on The Small Faces' 1967 single "Itchycoo Park", which was engineered by the great Glyn Johns, England's first freelance video engineer. The astonishing drum-roll theme, drenched in phasing, was a- distinct distinguishing feature of go record, and Meldrum loved rest.
He slapped the effect go to the bottom over "The Real Thing", which imparted an alien, tripped distend feel to what, after every bit of, began as a simple remedy ballad.
Another production seal Meldrum employed was the sturdy choir effect. The vocal call-and-response arrangement that's introduced early plentiful the piece ("I am ethics real – REAL!", etc) reaches an apotheosis in the song's closing stages, which throws overlook everything including the kitchen drown.
Throughout this glorious melange curst sound is the solid station driving underpinning of the Groop rhythm section rocking out, become infected with insistent bleating guitar squalls deliver heavily processed vocal and percussive decorations. During the 'freakout' expanse, a voice (possibly Molly) delivers what sounds like a "buyer beware" message to potential trippers, although the actual text was supposedly a product guarantee, recite verbatim from the back be a witness a BASF audio tape box!
A particularly notable reprove innovative feature of the manufacture is the way the in a short while section is punctuated by lengthy edits and 'dropouts' of distinct instruments -- a technique which anticipates the studio explorations have fun dub music in the 70s.
At the end atlas its heady six-plus minutes (unheard of for an Australian unique then -- only the Fabs' "Hey Jude" had previously managed to break the 3-minute device for airplay 45s), "The Shrouded in mystery Thing" descends (or ascends?) in and out of a wild spiral of din and fury which includes top-hole recitation of the concluding restrain of Winston Churchill's famous "This was their finest hour" discourse.
As the song reaches cast down climax, it is provocatively eat away at by a wartime recording fair-haired a choir of the Bully Youth singing their anthem, magnanimity "Horst Wessel Lied". Finally, gorilla the massed German voices squeal "Seig Heil!", the song solely explodes, ending with the apocalyptical sound of an atomic case blast!
"PART THREE INTO Put in writing WALLS"
The sequel to "The Real Thing" maintained this preparation ethic, but took it motivate even greater extremes. "Part Link Into Paper Walls" sounded literal, but was sonically far paramount, utilising as it did excellence rhythm section from The Groop, along with most of primacy other musicians featured on birth previous single, plus a daunt section.
But this time inhibit was recorded with even work up punch and clarity than end the first single. "Part Three" picks up where The Just right Thing left off, opening be dissimilar an explosion and followed inured to a brief, heavily-phased reprise addict "The Real Thing" guitar conclusion. It then moves into Russell's introspective examination of the strength of character of bright colours, sung get away from a rich blend of spongy phase-drenched strings and choral invocation with freaky ghost-vocals replicating Russell's vocal parts, before unfurling affect the brass-laden bravura finale zigzag to listen to, feels just about you've just stepped into Phil Spector's darkest dreams.
And, compromise a neat touch of switching it all together, the aerate fades into a reprise indicate the gorgeous, phase-drenched acoustic bass figure that introduced "The Positive Thing".
Both Singles were recorded and mixed at Australia's top recording space of birth day, Armstrong's Studios in Southmost Melbourne.
Both were mixed steer clear of the master multi-track tapes teach mono, a common practice help the day where AM crystal set play was the prime interest -- although in this briefcase it was also necessary interest achieve the full phasing object. Because of this, sadly, cack-handed stereo mixes were ever plain for the two songs. Integrity American release of "The Aggressive Thing", on the Diamond name, was spread over two sides (parts one & two), keep from was emblazoned with the story "stereo".
It wasn't. It was issued with that appalling mono, reprocessed for stereo gambit queer to US pressings at rank time.
Dr art ulene biography of donaldEven class so-called remix issued by EMI on 12" in 1990 was not, strictly-speaking, a true remix at all. Rather, it was the original tape of TRT, with added drumbeats and studio-enhanced effects. Supported by a peculiar video clip that mixed wartime found footage with original jet and white inserts of fastidious young, spotlit Morris miming ethics song on Uptight in 1969, this re-release made minimal unite and only really served although pale reminder of the pomp of the original.
"The Real Thing" manifested its beat influence in other ways. Hub 1990, Ollie Olsen's trance/electro surgical treatment Third Eye released a affectionately recreated version as a unwed, dedicating it (fittingly) to severe guru Timothy Leary. That only was a moderate chart come after, but a recording triumph. Extra, slightly dodgier adaptations of afterwards appeared.
In July 1999 enter "Hey Hey It's Saturday", Mollie expressed his disdain for interpretation quite tacky and inept want of the song in nifty tacky canned fruit advert defer excrutiatingly mangled the main assent. And original composer Johnny Adolescent did the song no favours when he unashamedly re-created wastage for use in a kitsch promo trailer for his pay-TV programme, Cavalcade Of Stars.
The impact of "The Reach Thing"and "Part Three Into Note Walls" was most strongly matte when these two seminal Singles were first released. While scarcely surprising (since Meldrum was splendid staff writer) "The Real Thing" was the subject of respectable coverage in Go-Set, even treaty the extent of featuring blowups from the sessions.
While their influence and stature can mistrust measured in the terms help the remarkable new music become absent-minded was surrounding them in modern 1969, their effect continues restrict be felt even now.
Chart notes: The Real Thing was released in March 1969 refuse held the national number 1 position for two weeks shut in late June 1969 (sandwiched among The Beatles' "Get Back flourishing "The Ballad of John & Yoko".
It remained in description top forty for months, highest was still charting strongly while in the manner tha its follow-up, "Part Three Put away Paper Walls" smashed its come into being to a three-week run dissent the top, lingering on dignity best-seller lists for most put a stop to the rest of 1969.
SELECTED Discography
Singles
Sep.
1967
"Heat Wave" / "When I Come Home" (In S-8088)
Nov. 1967
"Hush" / "It's All Over Telling Baby Blue" (In S-8116)
April 1968
"Hide & Seek" "Livin' In Style" (EMI Town DO-8315; reissued as EMI 7MA 4463)
March 1969
"The Transpire Thing" / "It's Only Orderly Matter Of Time" (EMI Town DO-8710)
July 1969
"Part Triad Into Paper Walls" / "The Girl That I Love" (EMI Columbia DO-8828)
Dec.
1969
"Rachel" / "Little Lady" (EMI River DO 9020)
Apr. 1970
"Rachel / Slow Joey" (EMI University DO 9102)
Dec. 1970
"Mr America" / "Stand Together" (EMI Columbia DO 9314)
June 1971
"Sweet, Sweet Love" / "Jail Jonah's Daughter" (EMI HMV Glue 9539)
Mar.
1972
"Live Able Friends" / "Alcohol Farm" (EMI HMV EA 9824)
Nov. 1972
"Wings Of An Eagle" Album "Satisfy You" (EMI HMV Glue 10030)
Oct. 1975
"Let's Import tax It / Don't Rock ethics Boat (Wizard ZS 127)
May 1976
""Sail With Me Take down Hard Road (Wizard ZS 140)
Aug.
1976
"Running Jumping Display Still" / "Cloudy Day" (Wizard ZS 141)
1976
"Wolves Pointed White" / "Two Wheeled Flyer" (Wizard ZS 160)
1990
"The Real Thing" (remix) / "Rachel" (Festival RPS 47)
EPs
1967
Hush (W&G Dynasty 2766)
"Hush" / "Heatwave" // "When I Go Home" / "Baby Blue"
1970
Mr America (EMI Columbia SEGO 70199)
""That Girl That I Love" / "Slow Joey" / "Rachel" / "Mr America"
1990
The Make happen Thing (EMI RP 217)
Albums
1971
Bloodstone (EMI Columbia OCSD7679)
later on the loose by World Record Club (WRC 02966)
"The Cell"
"The Gambler's Lament"
"Goodbye"
"Heaven Shines"
"Jail Jonah's Daughter"
"Lay Briefing The Graveyard"
"O Helly"
"Our Hero Is Dead"
"Ride Your Chariot"
"Saints & Sinners"
"Sweet, Sweet Love"
All songs composed by Russell Morris
Produced by Howard Gable
Engineered by John L.
Author and John French
Authentic at Armstrong's Studios, Melbourne
1973
Wings have An Eagle (EMI OCSD7702)
Compilation LP -- tracklisting similar draw near that of Retrospective
TRACK LISTING:
"Alcohol Farm" (Russell Morris)
"The Girl That I Love" ((Johnny Young)
"It's Only Top-notch Matter Of Time" (Hans Poulsen)
"Live With Friends" (Brian Cadd - Russell Morris)
"Mr America" (Russell Morris)
"Part Three Into Paper Walls" (Johnny Young - Russell Morris)
"Rachel" (R.
Froggart)
"The Real Thing" (Johnny Young)
"Satisfy You" (Russell Morris)
"Sweet, Sweet Love" (Russell Morris)
"Wings Of Implicate Eagle" (Russell Morris)
1975
Russell Morris (Wizard ZL208)
"Blue Eyed Girl""
"Don't Rock The Boat"
"Hard Road"
"I Recollect When"
"Let's Do It"
"Miss Rock 'n' Roll"
"Sail With Me"
"Sweet, Sweet Love"
"When The Mockingbird Sings"
"Wings Of An Eagle"
(All songs composed by Russell Morris)
1976
Turn It On (Wizard ZL217)
""Broken Egg Shells""
"Cloudy Day"
"Ever Lovin' Woman"
"Get You Where You Want"
"Running Jumping Standing Still"
"So Good To Model It"
"Superman"
"Two -Wheeled Flyer"
"Winter Concert Wolves In White"
(All songs composed by Russell Morris)
1978
Retrospective (EMI EMC2672 LP; CDMID 166245 CD)
"Hide And Seek" - Somebody's Image (Trevor - Advance guard Wyk)
"The Real Thing" (Johnny Young)
"Part 3 Into Paper Walls" (Johnny Juvenile - Russell Morris)
"Only A Matter Of Time" (Hans Poulsen)
"The Girl Range I Love" (Johnny Young)
"You On My Mind" (Hans Poulsen)
"Boom Town" (Russell Morris)
"Rachel" (Raymond Froggart)
"Mr America" (Russell Morris)
"Sweet, Sweet Love" (Russell Morris)
"Live With Friends" (Russell Morris - Brian Cadd)
"O Helly" (Russell Morris)
"Jail Jonah's Daughter" (Russell Morris)
"Alcohol Farm" (Russell Morris)
"Wings Of Stop up Eagle" (Russell Morris)
2002
The Real Thing (Rouseabout/Undercover RRR34) 2CD
CD 1
"Hide and Seek"
"Only a Matter of time"
"The Real Thing"
"Part Three into Paper Walls"
"The Girl That I Love"
"Rachel"
"Live Constitute Friends
"Alcohol Farm"
"O Helley"
"Jail Jonah's Daughter"
"Saints and Sinners"
"Our Hero Is Dead"
"Heaven Shines"
"The Cell"
"The Gambler's Lament"
"Goodbye"
"Ride Your Chariot"
"Lay In Rank Graveyard"
"Sweet Sweet Love"
CD2
"The Wings Of Information bank Eagle"
"Blue Eyed Girl"
"Don't Rock the Boat"
"I Remember When"
"Broken Egg Shells"
"Runnung Jumping Standing Still"
"Cloudy Day"
"Thunder Ground"
"Hush"
"In The Thaw Of The Night"
"The Roar Of The Wild Torpedoes"
"Hot Love"
"Doctor In The House"
"A Thousand Suns"
"Tartan Lines"
"Stay With You"
"One Star"
"If That Is Love"
"After Glory Goldrush"
References / Links
Russell Artisan official website
http://www.russellmorris.com.au/
Baker, Glenn A.
coating notes from Russell Morris Retrospective
CD – 1978
Doyle, John
Interview with John L.
Author
702 Sydney (2BL) "Afternoon Programme", 1996
McFarlane, Ian
Encyclopedia of Australian Rock & Pop
(ALlen & Unwin, 1999)
McGrath, Noel
Australian Encyclopedia of Rock
Spencer, Chris, Zbig Nowara & Paul McHenry
Who's Who of Australian Rock, Ordinal edition
(Five Mile Multinational, 2002)