Great Players Dick Morrissey

[AlanU]

I've trawled up and down pages this evening without finding any mention of the wonderful Dick Morrissey. (maybe I missed it).

I have happy memories of so many gigs. He always created a good feeling in the room.

Surely many of you remember seeing him.

Alas the studio records he made, and the others with Jim Mullen et al don't really convey the warmth and joy of his live performances. The few live recordings I've found aren't much better either.

I miss being able to see him play.
We all should get out more and see our favourites while we can.

 

[andrew_sanders]

Just heard a track of his on jazz record requests over the weekend.
Lovely jubbly.Have a listen on listen again.

 

[AlanU]

Thanks Andrew for your response.
There doesn't seem to be anyone playing in that 'freewheeling' and easy swinging style at the moment.
If you like Dick's type of playing I suggest checking out Stanley Turrentine when he was on Blue Note.

All the best

 

[andrew_sanders]

There's only thee and me Alan. Always like to hear Morrisey Mullen
pieces as I play guitar and sax and can feel inadequate on two instruments.
Will look into Stanley Turrentine any suggestions where to start?

 

[Jules]

Andrew Sanders wrote:

Will look into Stanley Turrentine any suggestions where to start?

As far as Stanley Turrentine goes- go for the 1960s blue note stuff, avoid the 1970s (all a bit smooth and poppy) and later (ditched his distinctive sound in favour of a slick but fairly 'standard' bop jazz). "The Spoiler" is a great album, plus "Turrentine Meets the Three Sounds". I think there's a Blue Note "Best of..." CD out there

 

[andrew_sanders]

Thanks Jules
I've trawled my CD's and albums and there's no sign of the blighter.
I can usually find an artist guesting or side manning if that's a word.
Will check out your suggestions asap.
Andy

 

[steve_m]

AlanU wrote:

I've trawled up and down pages this evening without finding any mention of the wonderful Dick Morrissey. (maybe I missed it).

I have happy memories of so many gigs. He always created a good feeling in the room.

Surely many of you remember seeing him.

Alas the studio records he made, and the others with Jim Mullen et al don't really convey the warmth and joy of his live performances. The few live recordings I've found aren't much better either.

I miss being able to see him play.
We all should get out more and see our favourites while we can.

We used to rent pianos to jazz gigs. We used to get to see the gig for free and then chat with the guys in the band afterwards. It's one of my great regrets that we mised most of Dick's band when they played the Saracen's Head. We did however spend a nice time afterwards sitting by the fire with a pint or two, my boss handing out hand rolled fags to Dick and Martin (IIRC) Gardner.
He was a nice guy and a great player too.

 

[Semiquaver]

Alan,

I must recommend a jazz club that i regularly attend which is very near you at Botany Bay Cricket club.

I saw Jim Mullen there a couple of weeks ago and he was fantastic.

Check out their site for forthcoming guests.

www.googliesjazz.co.uk

 

[AlanU]

Hello Jeff, I go there occasionally, depending who's on.
Recently it was Alan Barnes, Peter King, Pete Long.

Nice room for it, good rhythm section too. I've known John Jarvis for years, my kind of drummer.

All the best, maybe see you there?
I'll be the one in the leather flight jacket.

 

[Semiquaver]

I will look out for you.

Alan Barnes is playing there on Feb5 along with trumpeter Steve Waterman.

Should be a very good night.

 

[AlanU]

Under the station clock, wearing a pink carnation then?
I'll see if a can make it.

 

[Bobby G]

Tis a nice club, the Bay. Saw Julian Marc Stringle there recently, the man is a demon on clarinet and no slouch on alto and tenor. Good house band too...

 

[AlanU]

Bobby G, you must be a regular at Herts Jazz at Panshanger?
Another good venue, although I hear they are floundering a bit at present.

As I understand it they are losing money as a weekly gig, so they are thinking of going fortnightly!
I just don't get it. Lose money weekly or lose it fortnightly, what's the difference?
I've had some great nights there, from Digby Fairweather to Peter King, Stan Tracey to Bobby Shew, Spike Robinson and Don Rendell, Ronnie Scott et al.
Not to mention the wonderful Dick Morrissey.

I think they need to make it more widely known, and get a house rhythm section to keep down the overheads.

 

[Mikec]

AlanU wrote:
Bobby G, you must be a regular at Herts Jazz at Panshanger?
Another good venue, although I hear they are floundering a bit at present.

As I understand it they are losing money as a weekly gig, so they are thinking of going fortnightly!
I just don't get it. Lose money weekly or lose it fortnightly, what's the difference?
I've had some great nights there, from Digby Fairweather to Peter King, Stan Tracey to Bobby Shew, Spike Robinson and Don Rendell, Ronnie Scott et al.
Not to mention the wonderful Dick Morrissey.

I think they need to make it more widely known, and get a house rhythm section to keep down the overheads.

Is there a web site?

 

[AlanU]

I see it's become monthly now.

www.hertsjazz.co.uk

 

[Bobby G]

AlanU wrote:
Bobby G, you must be a regular at Herts Jazz at Panshanger?
Another good venue, although I hear they are floundering a bit at present.

As I understand it they are losing money as a weekly gig, so they are thinking of going fortnightly!
I just don't get it. Lose money weekly or lose it fortnightly, what's the difference?
I've had some great nights there, from Digby Fairweather to Peter King, Stan Tracey to Bobby Shew, Spike Robinson and Don Rendell, Ronnie Scott et al.
Not to mention the wonderful Dick Morrissey.

I think they need to make it more widely known, and get a house rhythm section to keep down the overheads.

Alan, I can't say I'm a regular there at all. Maybe analagous with Londoners who never go to the Tower, but I usually go a bit further afield. Also, it can be a bit pricey, maybe that's why it is floundering...?