Cracks In Sidewalks

One of the most interesting rock “power trio’s” to ever emerge would have to have been the band Morphine.  With their unique instrumentation of bass, saxophone, and drums, their music was hard to categorize except to call it “alternative.”  But you could be anywhere, in the middle of a crowded space or involved in a conversation, if their music was being played you could hear it.  It stood out, because their sound, which was always recognizable, was truly original.

Creating that sound the band used to call “low rock” for all the low tones it played upon and generated, Morphine incorporated flavors of jazz and blues into their music.  Mark Sandman, the bands vocalist and bass player, played a two string bass that he used like a slide guitar, and his partner Dana Colley played saxophone, but mostly baritone and bass sax.  Then there was drummer Jerome Deupree and later drummer Billy Conway.

The band, from Boston, formed in 1989 and recorded their first album, “Good,” on the Accurate/Distortion label and later re-released it on the Rykodisc label.  Their “Cure for Pain” disc from which the song “Buena” is taken was recorded in 1993.  The band later signed with Dreamworks and released their critically acclaimed album “Like Swimming.”  Although highly respected Morphine never quite completely broke through to the mainstream though they did gain greater notoriety when several of their songs “Sheila” and “In Spite of Me” were placed in the film “Spanking the Monkey.”

An unusual band with good songs, and a great sound, they seemed to know how to position themselves.  They made the most out of what made them different.  Unlike other “power trio’s” they didn’t use a guitar or keyboards to fatten their sound and make it seem big, instead they played up and made more out of less of what they did have, and in the process created a style that myself and many others came to love.  I also have to mention the smooth low vocals of Mark Sandman that blended so nicely with their instrumentation.

Morphine is a band I like to listen to at night, perhaps while sipping a single malt scotch, and sitting next to someone I like.  To me it’s either social intimate music or the complete opposite having it be very solitary.  In either case the room is dark, the mood relaxed, and it is late.

The band Morphine disbanded in 1999 when founder vocalist/bass player Mark Sandman had a heart attack on stage while the band was performing in Italy.  He was pronounced dead on arrival.  The remaining members along with some of their friends formed a big band called “Orchestra Morphine” the following year.  They rearranged many of Sandman’s songs, and toured the country playing his music bringing new life into his works while carrying on the legacy of his musical creations.

To see and hear a live performance of the band performing their song, “Buena,” either click on the link below or cut and paste it into your browser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNEYKrFJgRo

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 at 6:26 am and is filed under Daily Tune On. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.