DONALD CHRISTIE / POLYDOR
James Morrison's debut CD, "Undiscovered," displays a remarkable vocal talent.
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British singer-songwriter has the goods
"Undiscovered"
James Morrison
(Polydor/Interscope)
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Despite the album title, you should be hearing a lot more from this young U.K. singer-songwriter by year's end, if there's any justice.
Looking like the younger brother of Coldplay's Chris Martin, James Morrison has recorded an incredibly good debut. For proof positive, listen to him with just his guitar on the song "Better Man." While his lyric writing is nothing special, his singing is so engaging and self-assured. Fellow youngsters from across the Atlantic pond, like James Blunt and Daniel Powter, have nothing over Morrison. His is the kind of voice that can only get better with age.
The album's two breakout tracks that have already made him a rising star in his home country, "You Give Me Something" and "Wonderful World," are equal stunners. The former has an infectiously buoyant feel as Morrison channels the Memphis groove of Al Green, complete with string and horn arrangements. "Wonderful World," with its heart-bursting sentiment, sounds a bit like early Rod Stewart, when Rod the Mod's raspy voice was at its best.
With Morrison picking up the vocal inflections of Stevie Wonder on "The Last Goodbye," you'd think the young singer is too much of a chameleon to put his own stamp on his songs. Still, you can hear his dynamic voice punching through his influences. A song like the quiet shuffle "One Last Chance" is a portent of things to come.
Morrison admits he had a pretty rough time growing up with an alcoholic father, but music helped ease things. He listened to his mother's record collection and later picked up a guitar with the prompting of an uncle when he turned 13.
Listening to such soul icons as Wonder, Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye has helped him focus all that emotion of his upbringing into a powerful and still-developing singing voice.
"I'm not lost ... just undiscovered," goes a lyric in the title track. Well, not for long, I hope.