Jeff Morris
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Jeff Morris

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Band Folk Acoustic

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"Let's hear it for the boys!"

I’ve written a lot lately about Edmonton’s wealth of up ‘n’ coming female singer-songwriters – from Mae Anderson to Erica Viegas — but our men are pulling their weight, too.
Exhibit A: Jeff Morris. He cites Jack Johnson as an influence, but I think the local barkeep has even more potential than Hawaii's surfing folkie.

He released his first record, Original Songs On A Borrowed Guitar, earlier this year – you can listen to all 10 tracks on his website. My faves include Fire Dies, How Long, Over You and Blue Sky Falls (posted above).
- Edmonton Journal - Sandra Sperounes


"Roots music scene has had a lively history in this area"

Jeff Morris
Original Songs on a Borrowed Guitar
Self-released
Hailing from Sherwood Park, Jeff Morris’s debut album is a pleasant, unexpected surprise.
An intimate recording with unobtrusive, vibrant support, comparisons to Jack Johnson are a bit too apparent — Morris’s voice has an inflective catch that is similar to the surfing guitarist, and he favours gentle introspective pieces that examine feelings and relationships. OK, sometimes the obvious tract is entirely justified.
Morris’s guitar playing isn’t primitive but neither is it overly elaborate. Sparse strumming and delicately picked notes provide the canvas against which Morris constructs his uncomplicated rhymes and reflections. Especially appealing is the percussive element of his playing, obvious on tracks including the standout Hold On.
Blue Sky Falls is another song that captures the imagination: one is drawn into the impassioned possibilities suggested.
This recording captures not only listeners’ attention but their intellect and soul. Coffeehouse music that doesn’t slink into the background as much as it enfolds with comfort and warmth-think Dan Mangan crossed with Brett Dennam, perhaps.
2010 has been a very good year for Alberta roots recording artists. Add Original Songs on a Borrowed Guitar to the list of standouts.
- Red Deer Advocate - Donald Tepylske


"Banner Year for Edmonton Music"

EDMONTON — The worst part of my job? Having to say no. Unfortunately, it happens more often these days — since Edmonton seems to be sprouting more talented musicians than ever before.
Eleven years ago, when I first started at The Journal, I covered about one local CD release party per month. Now, there’s usually one or two per WEEK, thanks to cheaper recording gear, the rise of indie labels, and the power of the Internet.
Anyone can write and record music (not to mention shoot a video or start a festival); you no longer have to wait for your blood-stained invite to the Exclusive Club of Rock Stars and Major Labels. You don’t always have to resort to using Ticketmaster either — thanks to yeglive.ca, a new made-in-Edmonton ticketing service and listings guide.
Yup, it was another banner year for Edmonton’s music scene. Thousands celebrated local acts during the first SOSFest in Old Strathcona and Open Sky Music Festival in Hawrelak Park. Pop-rockers Ten Second Epic and Edmonton-bred popsters Stereos were nominated for Junos.
Folk-pop artist Colleen Brown toured the country with the Crash Test Dummies while a growing flock of singer-songwriters, including Eamon McGrath, Michael Rault and Corb Lund continued to nurture their overseas markets.
With new opportunities comes the urge to move to new cities, and though we lost several artists to Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, our talent pool is still ridiculously deep — from Ross Shep student and electronic artist Dylan Khotin-Foote, better known as Kumon Plaza, to singer-songwriter Jeff Morris to dance messiahs Mass Choir.
They’re three of the artists to make my list of favourite local releases of 2010:
Wool on Wolves, Grey Matter
Armed with this assertive and adventurous debut, these folk-rockers could be Canada’s next big sensations.
Kumon Plaza, Cliff
Here’s proof you can turn silly video game sounds into heart-wrenching electro-pop.
F&M, Sincerely, F&M
An exquisite collection of bittersweet folk-noir tunes, featuring the haunting vocals of Ryan Christian Anderson and his wife, Rebecca.
Eamon McGrath, Peace Maker
One of Edmonton’s most prolific songwriters serves up another piece of his soul on his latest rugged folk-punk album.
Cygnets, Bleak Anthems
Bleak, yes, but also one of the best ’80s synth-pop flashbacks you’ll have without trying to find your Cure or OMD albums.
The Provincial Archive, Maybe We Could Be Holy
Delicate folk-pop, stitched together with banjo, accordion and mandolin, about life in a northern town.
Jeff Morris, Original Songs on a Borrowed Guitar
Breezy, yet soulful acoustic pop in the vein of Jack Johnson. Only better.
Michael Rault, Ma-Me-O
Life’s not always a beach, but this album of ’60s-soaked garage-pop tunes will put a smile on your face.
Mass Choir, Live My Life on the Backbeat
Uplifting dance tunes inspired by the ’90s, gospel and hip-shaking beats.
Jay Sparrow, In Our Time
Quivery folk and lurchy blues never sounded so intoxicating from this songbird.
ssperounes@edmontonjournal.com
- Edmonton Journal - Sandra Sperounes


"Life Goes Swimmingly For Said The Whale"

...Original Songs is a laid-back, groovy affair, showcasing his plaintive vocals and bouncy, almost percussive, and intricate guitar strums.

"Whatever makes my head bob is what I'm interested in," he says. "It's all ear, I don't know any (music) theory. I started listening to Jack Johnson a few years ago and was definitely influenced by him. I like the happy vibe you get from it. Anything with a nice groove."
- Edmonton Journal


Discography

Debut CD - Original Songs On A Borrowed Guitar - LP - 2010

Photos

Bio

Jeff Morris picked up a guitar when he was 18, and started writing his own music. He has had great local success in Edmonton and he is eager to gain more exposure and build a fan base.

Jeff Morris has an original sound and an acoustic style that is based around intricate finger-plucking rather than the traditional strumming. His songs have a percussive element to them, making them catchy, and appealing to all ages.