Bill Morrissey
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Bill Morrissey has been a singing and songwriting fixture in New England since the 70’s. Born in
Hartford and a resident of New Hampshire for many years, an early love of rural blues and country music combined to shape his
musical style. One artist who keenly influenced him in particular was bluesman Mississippi John Hurt, whose guitar playing
and plantation tales shook Morrissey to the core. Later in his career he recorded an entire album tribute to that blues
giant, with 1999's Songs of Mississippi John Hurt. Like the legendary Hurt, Morrissey has a knack for simple
storytelling and a discreet musical delivery most often with just voice and a guitar. His subjects range from New England
mill towns and logging camps to local drunks and misfits, and his songs express great detail and an ever-present social
commentary. Since his first effort in 1984, Morrissey has produced a steady output of albums, most on the Philo/Rounder
label. Two even received Grammy nominations. Although a firm stalwart of the folk music camp, Morrissey stepped out of the
mold on his 2007 release Come Running, which was produced by Billy Conway of Morphine and featured musical backing
from members of that band as well as Dave Alvin of Blasters fame. He is now a successful novelist as well, completing books
he painstakingly wrote while never slackening his tour schedule filled with folk-fest and coffee shop appearances across the
country. (by Carter Alan) |
