Standing Eight

Standing Eight

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
New Hampshire's leading songwriter Bill Morrissey (no relation to the whiner from the Smiths) continues his tough-minded, soft-hearted explorations on his third album, from 1989. With a supporting cast that includes the cream of new folkies (Suzanne Vega and Shawn Colvin, among many others, lend hands here) and much more room for electric experimentation than most New England folkies allow these days. Morrissey's 14 originals here showcase his flair for literary detail (he has since published an accomplished novel, Edson), his love for his characters no matter how ridiculous, and his soft, sideways voice, which is like nothing else you've ever heard. --Jimmy Guterman

Tracks:

Handsome Molly
Love Song - New York, 1982
Party At The U.N.
Last Day Of The Last Furlough
Motels and Planes
Up On The C.P. Line
Summer Night
She's That Kind Of Mystery
Girls Of Santa Fe
Driver's Song
Car and Driver
John Haber
She's Your Baby Now
These Cold Fingers

Amazon.com

New Hampshire's leading songwriter Bill Morrissey (no relation to the whiner from the Smiths) continues his tough-minded, soft-hearted explorations on his third album, from 1989. With a supporting cast that includes the cream of new folkies (Suzanne Vega and Shawn Colvin, among many others, lend hands here) and much more room for electric experimentation than most New England folkies allow these days. Morrissey's 14 originals here showcase his flair for literary detail (he has since published an accomplished novel, Edson), his love for his characters no matter how ridiculous, and his soft, sideways voice, which is like nothing else you've ever heard. --Jimmy Guterman

Customer Reviews:

My favorite song.......2003-01-01

This is a record I've owned since it first came out-- I'm a long-time, big-time Bill Morrissey fan. I just read the other reviews for this disc and was surprised that only one reviewer even mentioned the best song: "Cold Fingers."

Please don't stop reading when I tell you this is a song about a guy shooting his dog. I know that sounds ugly, but in fact this song is just incredibly beautiful. The real theme of "Cold Fingers" is loss. The chorus goes "Everything slips through these cold fingers. Like trying to hold water, trying to hold sand. Close your eyes and make a wish and listen to the singer. One more round, bartender, pour a double if you can."

On those nights when I've had more Jameson's than is good for me, this is almost always the last song I play before I crash. Sometimes I play it two or three times. It's been a habit of mine for about 15 years now.

If you've ever lost anything, anything of real value to you, this song will hit you right between the eyes.

Standing Eight is a Knockout!.......2000-03-27

This is the first Bill Morrisey CD I ever heard and all I had to do was hear it once and I was hooked. In fact, after discovering this artist I quickly ordered several of his other CDs. However, this one is far away my favorite. That's because Standing Eight is Morrisey's most consistent in its quality and diversity of song writing. His others have some highlights but overall can not compare.

Anyone new to Bill Morrisey will first be captivated by his gravel-like voice which after getting used to becomes surprisingly familiar and soothing. Just listen to "Handsome Molly" or " Girls of Sante Fe" to see what I mean. Next you'll be mesmerized by his well-crafted songs which always seem quite personal. Good examples of these are "Last Day of the Last Furlough" and "She's That Kind of Mystery". Finally, you'll get a kick out of his witty sense of humor, which he always seems to feature on at least a couple of songs. On this CD he has written some classics like "Car and Driver" and my personal favorite "She's Your Baby Now", which is a real driving song that exemplifies what people mean when they say, "what goes around comes around".

If you are looking for something special and unusual and appreciate a real master songwriter performer when you find one, you can't go wrong with Standing Eight.

Heartbreaking short stories from a very funny guy.......2000-01-29

I was stunned how warm and hilarious Bill Morrissey was when I saw him in concert. His songs are so heartwrenching and haunting, I expected a shy, bruised romantic to take the stage. This album is packed with such moving songs. Like the best short stories, he creates three-dimensional characters, marries them to lovely acoustic melodies, and lets you fill in some of the gaps. I find this whole record stunning but I'm particularly blown away by "Last Day of the Last Furlough" and "Handsome Molly". I guess Bill proves--as Richard Thompson, Paul Westerberg, Freedy Johnston and others do--that the funniest guys write the best sad songs.

A great storyteller.......1999-03-05

Bill Morrissey manages to create believable characters and put their stories across with effortless artistry. He empathizes with them and never writes them off, however dire their emotional circumstances. On this album, he shows, particularly on songs like "Handsome Molly", his unique and powerful way with a story and a song. He's funny as hell in concert, too.

One Of My Favorites.......1998-11-11

Definitely of the 10 albums I'd want with me on a desert island. Terrific range of emotions, from funny, silly songs like "Party at the U.N." and "Car and Driver" to gripping, moving portraits such as "These Cold Fingers" and "Last Day of the Last Furlough." Odd, engaging voice -- doesn't match his regular-guy face.

Average customer rating:

3 albums on one CD
These are the complete final albums
Allegory
A great collection, but in the 'best of' category

Standing Eight
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Manufacturer: 32. Jazz Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Dog Years In The Fourth Ring

ASIN: B00000BIJR
Release Date: 1998-09-15

Tracks:

The Return Of The 5000lb. Man: Theme For The Eulipions
The Return Of The 5000lb. Man: Sweet Georgia Brown
The Return Of The 5000lb. Man: I'll Be Seeing You
The Return Of The 5000lb. Man: Loving You
The Return Of The 5000lb. Man: Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
The Return Of The 5000lb. Man: There Will Never Be Another You
The Return Of The 5000lb. Man: Giant Steps
Kirkatron: Serenade To A Cuckoo
Kirkatron: This Masquerade
Kirkatron: Sugar
Kirkatron: Los Angeles Negro Chorus
Kirkatron: Steppin' Into Beauty
Kirkatron: Christmas Song

Tracks:

Kirkatron: Bagpipe Medley
Kirkatron: Mary McLeod Bethune
Kirkatron: Bright Moments
Kirkatron: Lyriconon
Kirkatron: Night In Tunisia
Kirkatron: J. Griff's Blues
Boogie-Woogie String Along For Real: Boogie-Woogie String Along For Real
Boogie-Woogie String Along For Real: I Loves You, Porgy
Boogie-Woogie String Along For Real: Make Me A Pallet On The Floor
Boogie-Woogie String Along For Real: Hey Babebips
Boogie-Woogie String Along For Real: In A Mellow Tone
Boogie-Woogie String Along For Real: Summertime
Boogie-Woogie String Along For Real: Dorthaan's Walk
Boogie-Woogie String Along For Real: Watergate Blues

Amazon.com

Rahsaan Roland Kirk was a blind musician who played all manner of saxophone--including modified horns such as the stritch and manzello--as well as the flute and the clarinet. A serious jazzman who pushed the limits of his own ability, Kirk performed standards by Ellington and Gershwin as well as music from Africa and the West Indies. He was also infamous for playing two or three saxophones simultaneously, often in different keys. Before his death in 1977, Kirk suffered a stroke and was forced to play the saxophone with one hand. This double-disc features Kirk's final recordings--while inconsistent, they reveal a remarkably talented and sensitive artist whose tenor style was reminiscent of both Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane. Showcasing Kirk's distinctive studio work interspersed with some rousing concert performances, A Standing Eight is a particularly worthwhile compilation. --Mitch Myers

Customer Reviews:

3 albums on one CD.......2004-08-25

these are the final three albums from that legendary genius, Rahsaan Roland Kirk ( all on one CD, I might add). If you like Rahsaan, then you have to have this.

These are the complete final albums.......2002-10-08

These are the complete final three albums Rahsaan made before his passing. I gave this cd a five star rating only because of the final album he made after the stroke. The first album here is his Warner Brothers debut and that album with the exception of the first track is very weak. It is mostly vocal renditions to other artists hits("Loving you" was so very bad).
The second album is "Krikatron" and I enjoyed this one for it had recent live recordings from Montreaux 75. Also the studio tracks with the exception of "Bright Moments" was terrific. This album was put together with outtakes from the previous albums recording session and the live cuts for Rahsaan had his stroke and what followed is his final album which I truely love.
Everything about his final album is haunting to the point of actually being scarey. Two tracks are just Rahsaan and a baby piano dueting. The other tracks proved that although he did suffer a severe strike and he couldnt be what he was still was better than most (far better that Kenny G).
If you listen to the album and just not think of it as a album made by someone who just had a stroke you will love it still for the music is terrific on its own.
THe liner notes are shared from a compilation of this material. They are terrific and they tell the story.
...

Allegory.......2001-03-30

Great music, great editing. Read the CD notes and then listen to the story all the way through.

A great collection, but in the 'best of' category.......2000-09-13

A great collection of tunes for sure, but I prefer to buy entire records. Might be good for new Rahsaan listeners.

Music Review: