Chris Morrissey - North Hero (2013)

Chris Morrissey is a unique composer. The songs are the centerpiece, and the alchemy between them and the big-hearted improvisers enlisted here are what makes this recording so riveting. The new North Hero is a highly listenable and satisfying musical journey. The album begins with the upbeat 'The Spirit of Chanhassan', a tribute to young Morrissey s involvement in the unique environment of creative folks at his father s place of work, the Chanhassen Dinner Theater, where the elder Morrissey served as Music Director and trumpeter. 'Minor Silverstein' is a melancholic nod to the celebrated author Shel Silverstein and his lesser-known character Lafcadio the misfit lion, the protagonist of a 'minor' work. The manic 'Midland, Texas Picnic Area' reflects its namesake city with a scorched earth energy, while 'Roman Subway', the most rhythmically complex piece on the record, stays true to the folky DNA found throughout North Hero. The stately, though with a loose screw, 'One Worn Mile' is named for the stretch of road on I-94 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, between his former apartment and that of an old flame. The catchy 'Hands Crystals Anderson' is his playful jab at the fad of unwieldy indie rock band names. The lovingly composed 'Lullaby for Twins' is a soft tribute to Morrissey s sister and her twin sons, a beautiful and immediate tune written in one sitting. The recording concludes with 'Electric Blanket', an expansive, evolving composition, which really showcases the dynamism of both the ensemble and the composer. Bad Plus-er Dave King produced the album.