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ROBERT BURNS ROCKS by Hugh Morrison

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"Robert Burns Rocks" - Hugh Morrison - review by Wildy's World.

Murder The Stout front man steps out on his own with the help of many friends on Robert Burns Rocks, a collection of vibrant rockers based on the work of Robert Burns. Enlisting the help of Johnny Rioux and Marcus Hollar from Boston’s Street Dogs; Judi Nicolson (Banchory’s Scottish Golden Fiddle champion); Kendall Rogers; Murder The Stout’s Jay Brooks and Andy Salmon; Cory Kaiser and Aoife Ni Ghloinn, Hugh Morrison finds the swarthy adolescent glee that runs through Burns best works and brings it out as only a Celtic-punk front man can.

Robert Burns Rocks opens with “Leezy Lindsay”, a courtship song from the perspective of a Scottish Lord that’s effervescent and bright. It’s a great opener that will make you want to dance around and perhaps exchange a cloved orange or two. “Rantin’ Rovin’ Robin” keeps the same buoyant sensibility before Morrison moves into the musically darker territory on “Ye Jacobites By Name” without losing an ounce of catchiness. Morrison is a dynamic and rough shod vocalist, sharing some vocal lineage with Shane MacGowan. By contrast, vocalist Aoife Ni Ghloinn, who takes the lead on “Ye Banks And Braes” offers an air of beauty to the album with a voice as smooth as cream and as stark as a red rose against the morning green.

“Red Red Rose” is a major change of pace, a quiet and reverent instrumental consisting of piano, violin and squeezebox that’s quite lovely in its own right. Morrison gets ultra-patriotic with “Scots Wha Hae”, a theme of the Scottish National Party and the long-time de facto national anthem of Scotland. The Burns poem is an interpretation of the speech given by Robert Bruce before the Battle of Bannockburn. It is a stirring moment that Morrison delivers with passion and soul. “Awa Whigs Awa” digs into the eternal political conflict in Scotland between The Stuarts and those with Fealty to the British Crown, delivered with a distinctly traditionalist slant. Aoife Ni Ghloinn returns with Morrison on “Ae Fond Kiss”, a sweet love song full of memory. You’ll be kicking up your heels to “Burns Reels”, and reminiscing with Morrison on “Rigs O’ Barely”. “Farewell To The Highlands” is an ode to the Old Sod, full of love and reverence. Morrison closes a great punk/folk rendition of “Auld Lang Syne”.

Hugh Morrison rocks Robert Burns, or perhaps it’s the other way around, on Robert Burns Rocks. Scotland often gets the shaft in the world of Celtic music, but Hugh Morrison gives a world-class reminder that Scotland’s rich heritage is as dynamic and intriguing. Granted, Burns’ poetry provides the heart, but Morrison brings life and soul to Burn’s lyrics with the irreverent air of rock n roll never far away. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself seeking out Murder The Stout to see what else Morrison has done, and pining for more material from the gloriously voiced Aoife Ni Ghloinn.

Source - WILDY'S WORLD



UNDER A TEXAS SKYE by Hugh Morrison

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"Under A Texas Skye" by Hugh Morrison
by Catherine L. Tully

Fun and more fun! Hugh Morrison and his three-row button accordion are
back for more good times and this happy CD is sure to please fans of
accordion music everywhere. Hugh began playing at a very young age and
it shows in his smooth ability and mastery of this instrument.
Sometimes the accordion is the full focus of the song, while other
times there are vocals and the music provides texture and background.
Basically, there is not a chance that you could listen to this CD and
walk away doing anything other than smiling ear to ear.

You'll find an Irish waltz, reels and even the familiar favorite, "Red
River Valley" on this album. An unexpectedly delightful performance is
presented on "Come To The Hills" - my favorite track of all. Morrison
likes to feature other artists in his work, which makes for a full
plate of music and keeps things from getting too heavy-handed with the
accordion sound.

I have to say, I enjoyed Morrison's last album, but this one really
shows that he is continuing to evolve and develop into a more
interesting artist, adding dimensions to his songs and sounds.
Sometimes peppy, sometimes wistful and soothing, the accordion is used
to its full range here and the feeling of Texas is communicated well
too. Great spirit and sound make this happy album sing.

Source - CELTIC MP3'S MAGAZINE



Andy Carr - 21st Century Reviews

25 February 2008 Hugh Morrison - Under A Texas Skye

In which Hugh Morrison steps out from the shadows of Murder The Stout (see review elsewhere in these pages) and into the limelight as a band leader. Former Glaswegian Hugh (or Shuggie, as they'd call him in Glasgow) plays button accordion, wringing out a sound different from that of the piano accordion which dominates a lot of Celtic-inspired music. Backed by a small combo playing piano, cello, guitar, banjo and occasional percussion, Morrison presents an album of music far removed from the raucous strains of his other band.
While Murder The Stout tends to favour Irish drinking songs, Hugh demonstrates undeniably Scottish folk influences Under A Texas Skye. There are some traditional Scottish tunes like 'Burns' Farewell', 'Atholl Highlanders' and 'Mary of Skye', and a great version of the Robert Burns song 'McPherson's Rant' (also recorded recently by Aussie favourites the Go Set). But running right through the album is a Texan flavour as well. Hugh Morrison has lived in Texas for a few years, and the Americana influences shine through in tracks such as 'Red River Valley'. Even some of Hugh's own compositions, like 'Made In Texas', show that he has his feet planted firmly in a new homeland.
About half the tracks feature Hugh's button accordion over a bed of piano, making for quite a pleasant,relaxing sound. A bodhran comes thumping in gently at times, sometimes too gently for these ears! What works best, though, is Hugh steaming into 'Old Pipe Reel' and 'Ale Is Dear' (both on a track called 'Minor Reels') with full accompaniment.

Special mention goes to Hugh's lead vocalist Jed Marum, who turns in great performances on 'Come By The Hills', 'McPherson's Rant' and 'Red River Valley'. And commendations on what is for me the centrepiece of the album, Hugh's own composition 'Dun Eistein'. This is a beautiful tune dedicated to the place of that name on the Isle of Lewis, and traditional home to the Clan Morrison. A mighty track that's a soundtrack waiting to happen.

Source - 21st CENTURY REVIEWS


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