Joe Morris – Singularity

Singularity by Joe Morris   [AUM018] - CD in 4-panel digipak Joe Morris: steel string acoustic guitar "Joe Morris effortlessly changes the face of modern guitar every time he plays, one hand touches the ancients; the other is pulling in the future, all wrapped in a blanket called now." –William Parker A highly distinctive entry in Morris' remarkable canon of work, the naked setting of these solo acoustic improvisations spotlights both Morris’ unparalleled technical prowess & awe-inspiring musical intent. "Top Improv Records of 2001" –The Wire "From the first resonant chords, the improvisations flow out in a spontaneous stream, carving their way with sinuous, crystalline focus and compact potency. The pieces build on each other, weaving a tapestry of stunning detail and startling economy. This music has a soulful immediacy that drives back through the blues to the vital driving polyrhythms of Africa and forward to music of captivating melodic abstraction. The cover photo shows a delicate flower cradled in a child's hands. This music connects with that same balance of delicacy and directness." –Michael Rosenstein, Signal To Noise "Morris uses a number of methods to build intensity: aggressive right-hand finger picking, rolling-and-tumbling left-hand phrases, flashes of lyrical chord progressions, alternating basslines and melody, angular intervals, theme and variation turned inside out and upside down, and lots of timbral emphasis on wood string, and skin." –Sam Prestianni, Jazziz "'Singular' is the operative term here – 'only' heard is his acoustic guitar finger-picking and plucking nirvana. His wondrous hands provide what sounds like a guitar army on the absolutely sublime improvised sounds of Singularity." –Brad Cohan, Ghetto Blaster "Though swimming in outrageously honed technique, Joe Morris keeps his improvised guitar fluent, self-critical and tender. We find strange things and felicities in what he plays, just as he does. The expressive moment becomes objective: we know we're listening to something that's bigger than the both of us." –Ben Watson, The Wire 1. Light - 05:35 2. Gravity - 02:56 3. Creature - 03:48 4. Shape - 04:02 5. Atmosphere - 05:39 6. Sense - 04:54 7. Liquid - 03:26 8. Dimension - 04:35 9. Flight - 05:20 10. Rock - 03:54 All compositions by Joe Morris, © Riti Publishing (ASCAP) Recorded by Joe Morris on May 10, 2000 in Sharon, MA Mastered by Chris Flam at Mindswerve, NYC Cover photo by Joe Morris Design by Anne Marcotty