Search - Bill Morrissey :: Something I Saw or Thought I Saw

	Bill Morrissey Something I Saw or Thought I Saw Genres: Folk, Pop New England's foremost narrative troubadour returns with his first collection of new material in five years (in between he's released a 1996 novel, Edson, and the 1999 tribute album Songs of Mississippi John Hurt). Muc... more » « less
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CD Details

All Artists: Bill Morrissey
Title: Something I Saw or Thought I Saw
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Philo / Umgd
Release Date: 4/3/2001
Genres: Folk, Pop
Styles: Traditional Folk, Contemporary Folk, Singer-Songwriters
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 011671122724, 011671122724

Synopsis

Amazon.com

New England's foremost narrative troubadour returns with his first collection of new material in five years (in between he's released a 1996 novel, Edson, and the 1999 tribute album Songs of Mississippi John Hurt). Much of this song cycle recalls Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks, as Morrissey applies his craggy voice and economy of detail to bittersweet themes of romantic dissolution. From the album-opening "Twenty Third Street" through "Just Before We Lost the War" and "Moving Day," he avoids regret and recrimination for a more resigned mix of fatalism and wonder, while tracing the arc of love from its aftermath. The chamber-like arrangements complement the understatement of the writing, with Morrissey's guitar framed by piano, violin, and an occasional solo horn. "Harry's Last Call" compresses a short story's richness into four minutes of song, while "Will You Be My Rose?" ends the album on a note of renewal. --Don McLeese

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Member CD Reviews

Tom A. (CTA4him) from ANDERSON, SC
Reviewed on 8/28/2014...

He's an acquired taste, but if you have to explain him it's like Bob Dylan you either get him or don't. Bill puts out another fine cd. Tom A.

CD Reviews

One of 2001's best

Music fan | Norfolk, VA USA | 12/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rightly compared to Richard and Linda Thompson's classic, "Shoot Out the Lights," Morrissey has captured a romance fracturing. He remains one of the best storytellers in song, portraying a lonely night at the Chelsea Hotel perfectly in "23rd Street," the sadness of old age in "Traveling by Cab" and offering just a bit of hope with "Will You Be My Rose."
The spare arrangements allow the lyrics -- and Morrissey's distinctive, flanneled croak -- to stand appropriately unadorned in the spotlight. This is a tasteful record worthy of repeated listenings. If you enjoy intelligent songwriters like John Gorka, John Prine, Richard Thompson and Emmylou Harris, then Morrissey is worth getting to know."

Bill proves his skill once again...!

Music fan | 06/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"More of the wonderful clips that Bill is so good at. In true Morrissey folk style, this cd reminds me what good, thoughtful music is about. This one is sparse, yet so complete. If you like Bill's 'Inside', you'll enjoy this one."

Nice to have Bill back in top form

Joseph Montano | Flushing, New York United States | 05/31/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've had this CD for a month now and it has not left my car CD player. It's been five years since You'll Never Get to Heaven and I was somewhat disappointed in that disk...however, Something I Saw or Thought I Saw confirms my belief that Bill Morrissey is without question the king of singer/songwriters. There are a number of excellent cuts my favorites being 23rd Street, Moving Day and the amazingly beautiful Will You Be my Rose. I place this CD on par with my other favorite Bill Morrisseys: Nighttrain, Inside and Standing Eight. Thank you Bill wherever you are."

Something I missed, or thought I missed...

William E. Adams | Midland, Texas USA | 01/28/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is my third BM disc, but I do like the other two better. As an introduction to Bill, whose voice takes some getting used to, I'd recommend "Night Train". That has more humor, more life and hope. Next I'd try "You'll Never Get to Heaven". That one has four great poetic songs on it, along with a few second-rate items, but overall the backing New Orleans musicians are worth hearing just for themselves. This one has some great instrumental work as well with strings, horns and percussion, but the songs are not as powerful as many on the other two albums. As another reviewer says, Bill demands earphones and attention and a certain mood from the listener. He is an acquired taste, but once you acquire him you want to hear more and to repeat certain songs a lot. When I listen to BM, I find myself thinking that country legends Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson have a lot in common with Bill. Although he is New England folkie, all these guys have unusual phrasing, distinctive voices, electic tastes, a love for life's down-and-outers. Each one could do a song about riding a tractor in the hot sun all day, and follow it with a a tune about being lonely in the big city, and make both of them honest. If Cash, Willie, Waylon or Kris had done a whole album of Morrissey songs, maybe ten or twelve years ago, it could have been a huge hit, at least with the critics. I recently shared BM's disc "You'll Never Get to Heaven" with a friend whose musical tastes I respect greatly, and he found it unendurable. For me, however, by the third song, I was hooked on Bill. Music is so darn subjective, and sometimes the timing is just wrong for fan and artist to find each other. Listen to song samples, and if Bill's desolation-row voice does not scare you off, make an investment. He's a fine musician, great writer, and quirky talent."