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- Dave Morgan -- vocals, guitar, bass

- Balls

- The Chantells

- Electric Light Orchestra

- Fred's Box

- Danny Kind's Mayfeir Set

- Magnum

- The Morgan Cleary Band

- Paradox

- Tandy Morgan Band

- Two's Company

- The Uglys

Genre: pop

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:   Morgan

Company: Ampex

Catalog: A-10118
Year: 1971

Country/State: Bordesley, West Midlands UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: minor edge wear; white label promo copy; sticker on cover

Available: 1

Catalog ID: --

Price: $30.00

I stumbled across Dave Morgan (aka Dave Scott-Morgan) when I bought a copy of the second Wishful Thinking album "Hiroshima" and noticed he was credited with penning the entire album (which I really like), including the controversial title track.  My curiosity aroused, I poked around and discovered Morgan was a classic example of a talented journeyman musician who has generated an impressive recording career and catalog over some six decades, but remains largely unknown outside of the industry.

By the late-'60s Morgan had established a reputation as a go-to songwriter.  The Moves' Carl Wayne took notice of his talents with the band recorded his 'Something' and 'This Time Tomorrow'.  He joined Steve Gibbons in The Uglys, who morphed briefly into Balls. Manager/producer Lou Reizner hired him to write material for the band Wishful Thinking which led to Morgan's being signed to Ampex Records and the release of his 1971 debut "Morgan.".  The brief liner notes by Warren Samet (aka Bird), didn't provide anything in the way of production or performance credits, tagging Morgan as a "lyrical, acoustical folk-rock performer."  What in the world does that mean?  Morgan  wrote all eleven tracks and appeared to handle guitar, but tagging him a folk-rocker was a stretch.  True, the Dylan-esque 'Hey Paul', the sweet  'Angel' and 'One Month in Tuesday' were Dylan-esque, but this album covered a far broader array of musical styles. The bouncy opener 'We're Gonna Change All This' and '' showcased Morgen's pop affections, making it easy to see what Carl Wayne saw in signing him to a songwriting contract.  At the other end of the spectrum, 'Don't Look Now But...' found Morgen delivering an early stab at two-tone ska.  Also atypical and quite enjoyable was the full throttle slice of psychedelic ' Ill Wind.'  The biggest surprise for me came in the form of 'So Weary' and 'You'll Never Get to Heaven.'  These  pretty tunes reminded me of the late Ronnie Laine's folk-rock stylings.  The set may have been a tad too diverse for Morgan's own good, but there was no overlooking he had a great voice and a knack for penning ear-candy.  Shame it took over a decade for him to get a chance to record another album.

Released the following year by the German Golden label, the collection was repacked as a gatefold sleeve with slightly more inspirational artwork (Global catalog number 6306 902).

"Morgan" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) We're Gonna Change All This (Dave Morgan) - 3:02   rating: **** stars

Not sure what the guitar effect was, but the opener 'We're Gonna Change All This' offered up a bouncy, radio-ready slide of English pop. Loved the start-and-stop rhythm on this one.  The track was tapped as a US promotional single in the US and a stock single in Holland and Germany.  The band Hiroshima included a rote cover of the song on one of their albums.

- 1971's 'We're Gonna Change All This' b/w 'We're Gonna Change All This' (Ampex catalog number X-11038)

2.) Hey Paul (Dave Morgan) - 3:22   rating: *** stars

The harmonica intro, strumming acoustic guitar and Morgan's rugged vocal gave 'Hey Paul' a Dylan-esque feel.  Admittedly it was 100 times more commercial than most tracks in Dylan's catalog.

3.) Don't Look Now But... (Dave Morgan) - 3:18   rating: **** stars

It took me a while to get my ears around the strange 'Don't Look Now But ..'  Morgan's Jamaican Patois accent made it impossible for me to figure out the lyrics, but musically it came off as an early stab at two-tone-styled ska ...  and once you get your bearings it was actually pretty cool.  Imagine something 10cc's Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman always wanted to accomplish.  Gawd only knows why, but Ampex tapped it as the leadoff US promotional single:

- 1971's 'Don't Look Now But...' b/w 'Don't Look Now But...' (Ampex catalog number X 11027)

4.) Go Tell the Birds (Dave Morgan) - 2:09   rating: *** stars

Just Morgan accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, a short electric guitar solo, and a bit of percussion, 'Go Tell the Birds' was a pretty acoustic folk song.  

5.) So Weary (Dave Morgan) - 4:34    rating: **** stars

For some reason 'So Weary has always reminded me of a Ronnie Laine performance.  It's not really a folk song, but there was something in the song's forlorn structure and in Morgan's ragged, desperate vocals that recalled the late Laine.  One of the sleeper performances on the collection.

6.) Browned (Dave Morgan) - 0:19   rating: *** stars    

Just a song fragment, 'Browned' has always reminded me of Paul McCartney's "Abbey Road" performance 'Her Majesty.'  Wish the album included a full length version of the song.

(side 2)
1.) Angel (Dave Morgan) - 4:25    rating: **** stars   

Imagine "Saved" era Dylan waking up and remembering how to write a melody after all these years ...Well this pretty acoustic ballad might be the result.  Judging by 'Angel' Morgan had a knack for injecting catchiness into virtually everything he wrote.  The lyrics also hinted at the non-secular direction his future work would take.  Sweet tune.

2.) Georgia Here I Come (Dave Morgan) - 2:56    rating: ** stars

I've never understood why so many English artists are fascinated by American country music.  T\With an old school feel, this one sounds like Harry Nilsson trying to sound like Randy Newman.

3.) One Month in Tuesday (Dave Morgan) - 2:38   rating: ** stars

Hey let's try to out-Dylan Dylan.  How may words can we cram into a two and a half minute song?  Turns out a lot ...

4.) Ill Wind (Dave Morgan) - 2:28     rating: **** stars   

The album's most psychedelic offering, 'Ill Wind' offered up another ballad, but opened and closed with disconcerting Krautrock-styled droning keyboards.  Adding to the tune's forbidding feel, Morgan's vocals were heavily treated. Atypical, but pretty cool.

5.) You'll Never Get to Heaven (Dave Morgan) - 3:18   rating: *** stars

With backing from a full band, 'You'll Never Get to Heaven' was another Ronnie Laine-ish rocker and another tune hinting at his religious beliefs.  Easy-going and bouncy, the track also served to showcase Morgan's melodic guitar chops.

Morgan has a web presence at: Dave Scott-Morgan – Songwriter, Singer, Speaker, Birmingham UK (davescottmorgan.com)