Morris Rocks Back

Rip It Up, Issue 33, 1 April 1980, Page 6

Morris Rocks Back

Murray Cammick

A Foot In The Door is an unlikely title for a new album by an act that first hit the airwaves over ten years ago. But Russell Morris has not only been absent from local radio, he has also been out of Australia for five years. And that means one thing in Oz. You have to start again. "If you're not there promoting your product, you don't matter,” says Morris, and promoting recordings means playing the pubs and chasing airplay. Morris and band have been on the Aussie circuit for over a year and intend to stay on the road for most of 1980. "Touring in Australia is good”, says Morris “it’s grown, there are good venues and good money. As long as we’re getting a good reac-

tion, we enjoy being on the road.” The singer does not appear at all roadweary. Can he write new songs while touring? "No I can’t write on the I have too much fun. I get ideas when touting and finish them when I get home.” In search of that elusive butterfly of pop, the hit single, Morris and band m£de several visits to studios in 79 and will make more this year. With Peter Solley (Sports, Jo Jo Zep, Romantics), they recorded “Love Stealer” and "Hot Love". Both tracks are on A Foot In The Door, though Mushroom Records neglected to credit Solley on the cover. For the remaining eight tracks they worked with US producer, Ralph Moss. Though Morris has considerable recording experience, he is' not keen to produce a Russell Morris Band album himself.

"I feel I’m not objective enough about my jwn songs." Morris respects Solley’s ability to criticise and shape a song. In March the band were to record several more tracks with Solley. Probable A side is "In the Heat of the Night”, the tune they opened with in Auckland. On stage, Morris and lead guitarist Joe Amenta front the band. While Morris hides under a baseball cap, says little, and appears preoccupied with his playing, Amenta provides ever popular lead breaks, with increasing regularity as the show advances. Though the solos won the crowd’s approval, it’s songs that count when selling records. In the songwriting department Russell Morris is still a force to be reckoned with the album is proof enough. Let’s hope his recent sessions get Morris back on the radio. Next tour maybe we will all know the tunes.