Led by bassist Lou Whitney and guitarist D. Clinton Thompson, the same Missouri twosome who also front the Skeletons, the Morells are even rootsier than their alter-ego band. The Skeletons could evoke the Kinks and the Bea... more »ch Boys in the course of one song, but the Morells' eponymous album--their second in 19 years--finds the quartet going back even further, although that garage-band spirit is never far away, especially in Whitney's thundering bass. "Rock Bottom" is swinging enough to pass for one of Brian Setzer's better outtakes. And "Hair of the Dog" sounds like a meeting between Huey "Piano" Smith and the Lovin' Spoonful circa "Nashville Cats." It's a melting pot of influences, extending to honky-tonk, blues-rock, and the kind of rockabilly Jerry Lee Lewis used to play. Many of these cuts would sound like novelty tunes in the hands of lesser artists, but, conversely, the Morells actually take one of the Coasters' lesser novelty tunes, "I'm a Hog for You, Baby," and turn it into a gem. The Morells remain one of the all-time great bar bands. --Bill Holdship« less
Led by bassist Lou Whitney and guitarist D. Clinton Thompson, the same Missouri twosome who also front the Skeletons, the Morells are even rootsier than their alter-ego band. The Skeletons could evoke the Kinks and the Beach Boys in the course of one song, but the Morells' eponymous album--their second in 19 years--finds the quartet going back even further, although that garage-band spirit is never far away, especially in Whitney's thundering bass. "Rock Bottom" is swinging enough to pass for one of Brian Setzer's better outtakes. And "Hair of the Dog" sounds like a meeting between Huey "Piano" Smith and the Lovin' Spoonful circa "Nashville Cats." It's a melting pot of influences, extending to honky-tonk, blues-rock, and the kind of rockabilly Jerry Lee Lewis used to play. Many of these cuts would sound like novelty tunes in the hands of lesser artists, but, conversely, the Morells actually take one of the Coasters' lesser novelty tunes, "I'm a Hog for You, Baby," and turn it into a gem. The Morells remain one of the all-time great bar bands. --Bill Holdship
CD Reviews
Full of Energy and Fun!
Brian A. Wolters | Cabot, Arkansas | 06/29/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I discovered The Skeletons in the early 90's and just fell in love with their music. They are one of the best bands to see live in the Mid-American region. Their Waiting album is one of the best of the 90's. Sadly, they haven't been back to my hometown since 93 and I sure do miss them.The Skeletons have reunited as "The Morells" and the same energy and fun that made The Skeletons so good are here!! The self-titled album has a more "blues" and "country-western" influence and less of the "Beach Boys" sound found on Waiting, but that doesn't make it a bad album. Within minutes, you will be singing the songs and replaying the album again. Simple lyrics, catchy tunes and just raw power make this album a must have"
The Mighty Morells Return!
Brian A. Wolters | 03/22/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Morells -- spiritual godparents of the whole Americana movement -- have returned with a wonderful CD highlighting the same mix of rock, country, R&B and general goofiness that made their 1982 album "Shake and Push" an instant classic. Their encyclopedic knowledge of the forgotten songs brings us gems like "Rock Bottom" and "Roy's Blues," and two songs written by Springfield, Missouri neighbor Ronnie Self, "Home in My Hand" and "Hair of the Dog." Even in the four songs just mentioned the band covers it all, from swing-pop to instrumentals to reggae-tinged country (!). Combine this with their air-tight instrumentation and Lou Whitney's spotless production and you have an album you'll be keeping."
Support your local party band
Dale Wetzel | Bismarck, ND United States | 08/04/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I've seen the Morells live half a dozen times. Their first LP, "Shake and Push," which they put out about 20 years ago, is one of my favorite records. Donnie Thompson and Lou Whitney have produced some great work over the years. So, I bought this album with a strong bias in its favor.The first and second times I listened to it, I was unimpressed. But this album grows on you. Give it a shot. You may not think it's one of the top 50 albums of all time, but I believe once you've listened to it a few times, you'll think well of it -- and you'll pull it out every so often to play it again. National Public Radio did a feature on the Morells and this album, and excerpted one of the songs, "Mom's Got A Headache." That song isn't one of my favorites. I would recommend "Double Crossin' Liquor" and "I'm A Hog For You, Baby" for starters.Some of the information in the previous reviews may be unintentionally misleading. Thompson and Whitney, who are at the heart of the Morells' lineup, have recorded with a number of bands in the last 20 years. They've played as the Skeletons and the Park Central Squares. They've backed up a number of other musicians, e.g. Grammy winner Dave Alvin. Whitney is a top-flight record producer. And Thompson is a helluva guitar player, one of the best I've ever heard.If you like the Old 97s, Whiskeytown or Uncle Tupelo, I'll wager you'll like this record too. Buy it for no other reason than you'll be supporting the sort of band that we don't hear enough of any more."
Viva dem Morells
Lindsay Hutton | Scotland | 12/08/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Morells are an (inter)national treasure. Their timeless knack for knocking oot primo r&r is unsurpassed. Anybody who
says different deserves Ryan Adams fair and square."
Back again
Lindsay Hutton | 07/27/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"having seen them over 60 times in one year the first time around i guess i am a big fan. this release keeps up with the fine tradition established with shake and push and the skeleton releases, good , fun slightly subverted party music. if they don't put a smile on your face and your toes a tapping, then you don't deserve them."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1