JEREMY MORRIS INTERVIEW

ROAD TO PARADISE: With a remarkable seven new albums to his credit in 2024 alone, JEREMY MORRIS has once again reiterated his right to being the logical successor to the late James Brown's title of The Hardest Working Man In Show Businews Editor/Publisher Michael McDowell catches up below (Click on above image to enlarge).

NEW ADVENTURES:

CATCHING UP WITH

JEREMY MORRIS

By Michael McDowell

Many people long for a Brighter Day. But Jeremy Morris sang of it and lives it.

As the logical successor to the late James Brown's title of The Hardest Working Man In Show Business, the Portage, Michigan - based Morris successfully balances an itinerary that staggers the imagination: Pastor, family man, record label president, session musician, producer and musicologist are among the many responsibilities that he nevigates on a daily basis. 

And of course recording artist.

"I released seven albums in 2024", said Morris. 

Those in addition to an impressive catalog that includes more than five dozen releases, dating back to the 1970s. Comprised primarily of original material, Morris' albums reflect a healthy blend of the Gospel, garage and psych rock and prog rock.

Of those, The Future Is The Past is one that is most likely to placate all factions, with such standout titles as The Writing's On The Wall and Brand New Brain. Among his most endearing such projects since his extended cover of the Lemon Pipers' 1967 signature single, Green Tambourine some months ago.

The most recent of the lot is one that also lives up to its title: The Promise.

"Released on the ninth of December", said Morris. 

While of course a tie-in with Christmas was inevitable, The Promise more accurately celebrates the timeless truths of the Gospel via such engaging cuts as Can't Judge A Book, Shake The Dust and the eyebrow-raising The Redemption Of Dirty Mac.

Moreover, Wonderful takes the impact of the Gospel a step further with Morris' occasionally otherworldly delivery. Standout tracks such as You Make It All Work, Sing It Shout It, He's The Light and Jesus Is Brighter make Wonderful a musical overview of the Gospel in their own right. Its ad hoc companion piece, Mystery Of The Seven Stars takes the message to the next level via seven extended tracks that are sure to placate the Prog Rock contingent among the faithful.

Several other related projects have recently also seen the light of day from Morris' JAM label. Foremost among them is the archival Soul Saver.

" '70s recordings", said Morris.

"First time on CD!"

While Morris generally opts for the solo route in his recordings, he does have a number of acclaimed duo and/or group projects to his credit. The latest among them is the twelve-track collection, Footprints.

"With Ken Stringfellow", said Morris. 

The Hollywood native's credits include various projects with the Posies, Big Star, White Flag, Hawk and others. Stringfellow and Morris' studio chemistry is particularly evident in this latest project. 

Perhaps the most acclaimed of Morris' side ventures is his body of work with the Lemon Clocks. Their latest release, New Adventures contains much that will please the demanding garage and psych factions, including Vultures, Atmosphere and Cosmic Happy Helmet.

Most notably, the family man aspect of Morris' curriculum vitae shines particulatly brightly on one of JAM's  first new releases for 2025 by the Overly Polite Tornadoes.

"Mark and Holly Morris", said Morris, in reference to the group's Leave A Space album. Their trademark dreamscape approach avails itself quite succintly in Gravity's Pull, Lighting All The Candles and A Dream Of Golden Spoons.

Most encouragingly for the new year, Morris and the JAM label have stepped outside of the family plan for the debut album by compose and vocalist Jim Sadler.

"An eighty-four year old artist", said Morris.

"(With a) blues flavor. He makes his debut on JAM".

On top of this ongoing whirlwind of activity, Morris has also found the time to host a podcast, in which his musicologist side is showcased via his celebration of various albums from his vast archives. Recently in the spotlight on his podcast have been such classics as The Kink Chronicles compilation by the Kinks and Sugarloaf's 1970 debut album for Liberty. 

In all of it, Morris also finds the time to diligently search for additions to those archives. 

"I saw him at the recent record show in Kalamazoo", said one prominent area vinyl vendor. 

"There you go!", said Morris.

Indeed, Morris' ability to successfully balance such a vast array of responsibilities on an ongoing basis is reflective of his prioritization of the Gospel which he champions in his music, in the pulpit at Freedom Church in Portage and in the shining example he sets overall. In the words of one of the standout cuts from his Wonderful album, Morris is a sterling example of what happens when one opts to Let Love Flow.