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Undiscovered? Not likely… with a voice like this, someone was going to discover the 21-year old Morrison and turn him into a star. Afflicted with whooping cough, he very nearly died as a baby, but it left him with a trademark husky rasp. By the time he was 13, and inspired by his mother’s Stevie Wonder records, he formed his first band. By 17, he left the band and started busking. By 19, he got fired from a dead-end job washing vans for arriving 10 minutes late for work. By 21, you have a number 1 selling UK album, a spellbinding collection of raw, bittersweet, bluesy folk-soul songs.
His career could’ve gone in a completely different direction. Shortly after he was signed, a Hollywood studio approached him to use one of his songs in a new Robin Williams movie. But, he refused to allow anyone else to sing the song in the movie, forcing the studio to offer him a part. But he declined, deciding to focus on his musical career.
Drawing from a troubled childhood (his unmarried parents separated when he was four and his mom moved around while she searched for regular work), debt burdens, few prospects, people breaking down around him and childhood friends growing up into adult junkies, Morrison’s emotional debut album is full of honesty. Witness “This Boy,” a song for his mum where he addresses the fact that his mother’s lack of enthusiasm while he was growing up, really messed him up but that he will never hold it against her. By now, you would’ve heard “You give me something,” a song about concealing true emotions in the early stages of a relationship, sung with the power of someone twice his age. “Wonderful World” acknowledges it may be a wonderful world, but it doesn’t always feel like it and that’s just life. The album ends with "Better Man", a solo acoustic number that really showcases the range of Morrison’s voice.
So pouring your life into your songs is nothing new for a singer/song writer to do… But when the artist in question admits that the whole album is inspired by a childhood friend who’s lost, doesn’t know where he’s going or what he wants to be and also happens to be a drug addict, you appreciate Morrison’s take on life… that we are surrounded by people who could be amazing at something, but they just haven’t had the opportunity or been able to tap into something they’re good at… maybe you’re one of them. Maybe an album like this will give you some perspective… maybe you’ll even discover the true you.
Uncomplicated, simple songs for people from all walks of life. Don’t let this one stay undiscovered on a CD shelf.
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