In what has become something of a biennial traditional, Australian music legend Russell Morris returns to The Reef Hotel Casino for two massive nights of incredible blues music. Almost 50 years after his breakthrough hit – the Molly Meldrum-produced psychedelic masterpiece, The Real Thing – Russell Morris has now successfully reinvented himself as a superb bluesman. His trilogy albums Sharkmouth, Van Diemen’s Land and Red Dirt – Red Heart comprise of roots-derived songs that demonstrate his versatility of a performer.
Already a major pop star by the time The Real Thing was released, Russell went on to become one of the country’s most recognised singer-songwriters. He penned such iconic hits as Wings of an Eagle, Sweet Sweet Love, The Girl That I Love and many more. In the early 70s Russell made the almost obligatory trip overseas and spent a few years living and working in London and New York. Returning to his homeland he enjoyed many long years as a touring singer-songwriter as the frontman of the Russell Morris Band and, later, as the best-selling Russell Morris and the Rubes.
Like all good musicians who earned their chops in the days before the birth of social media, Russell’s musical fortunes have hung often on his abilities to entertain a live audience. He is a consummate showman, able to power through his early hits with coltish exuberance, while also investing his more reflective late period-work with the sort of gravitas and control they deserve.
He released the highly acclaimed Sharkmouth in 2012, the first album in a trilogy of Australian story albums. Garnering a whole new generation as a fanbase, the album not only showcased his versatility, but his amazing talent as a songwriter. With a selection of tracks about Australia in the 1920s and 1930s, it featured a who’s who of Aussie musicians making appearances, including Chris Wilson, Troy Cassar-Daley and Renee Geyer. The extremely anticipated follow-up Van Diemen’s Land was released in 2014 and told the stories of some of Australia’s largest events, from wars to union strikes. The final part of the trilogy – Red Dirt – Red Heart – followed in 2015 and was about the ‘Australian interior’. The trilogy has seen Russell win ARIAs, sit securely at #1 in the charts and tout the enviable accolade of highest selling album of the year.
Even after all these years, Russell Morris is still considered to be the real thing. His shows at The Reef Hotel Casino will be events truly not to be missed.
Russell Morris performs at BAR36 in The Reef Hotel Casino on Thursday 6th and Friday 7th April 2017. Entertainment kicks off with THE KROOVS from 8.30pm nightly. Live music continues till late on the Friday night after Russell Morris with THE ROCKMANS. *** Live at the Casino shows in BAR36 are non-ticketed shows.
For more information, please visit www.reefcasino.com.au
