Russell Morris

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Russell Morris is one of Australia's most enduring singers. A major pop star in the late '60s, he went on to become one of the country's first singer/songwriters. Both ends of his career feature predominantly in the soundtrack to the movie The Dish.

Morris' career started in September 1966 with the formation of the Melbourne group Somebody's Image, which rose to prominence with a local hit version of the Joe South song "Hush." Morris was convinced to leave Somebody's Image for a solo career. His manager/producer, local music identity Ian Meldrum, spent unprecedented hours and money to create a seven-minute production extravaganza around a song called "The Real Thing." Once the result was released to shocked radio programmers who had never been asked to play such a long Australian single before, it was up to Morris' personality, singing, and performing talents to make the record work. It reached Australia's number one spot in June 1969. Without any promotional support from Morris, "The Real Thing" reached number one in Chicago, Houston, and New York.

The second single -- "Part Three Into Paper Walls" ("The Real Thing" revisited) and "The Girl That I Love" (a pop ballad more indicative of what was to come) -- became a double-sided number one hit, the first time an Australian artist had scored consecutive number ones with their first two singles. Morris, in the meantime, had traveled to the U.K. to help promote the release of "The Real Thing."

Morris had now decided to concentrate on his own songwriting and with the cream of Australian musicians, spent almost a year painstakingly recording and re-recording what became the Bloodstone album. It was one of the first Australian albums of its kind, the first from an Australian singer/songwriter, and a whole world away from the extravagant "The Real Thing." The hit single from Bloodstone was the resonant, romantic "Sweet Sweet Love." The following year, in 1972, Morris delivered the equally beautiful "Wings of an Eagle." In 1973, Morris moved to London to record an album only to discover there was no record contract waiting for him. He relocated to New York and set to work on an album there, including new versions of both "Sweet Sweet Love" and "Wings of an Eagle" and the single "Let's Do It." A second American album appeared in 1976. It was two more years before Morris was granted his green card, enabling him to tour America. But by then, any chance of an American career had bolted. Instead, Morris returned to a very different Australia than the one he had left behind five years earlier.

During his solo career, Morris had done limited live performances without a band of his own. He then formed the Russell Morris Band and threw himself into a busy round of live performances, writing songs designed to be played live rather than chasing radio airplay, but scoring a couple of minor hits on the way. Eventually, the band played and recorded as Russell Morris & the Rubes. In 1991, Morris released another solo album, A Thousand Suns, and he spent the subsequent years as part of a highly successful performing trio with fellow '60s heroes Ronnie Burns and Darryl Cotton of the Zoot, with a repertoire made up of their individual hits from yesterday, as well as new songs. In 2001, Jim Keays of the Masters Apprentices replaced Burns. Also in 2001, Morris' "The Real Thing" and "Wings of an Eagle" featured prominently in the Australian-made movie The Dish (centered around man's landing on the moon) and Midnight Oil released their version of "The Real Thing" as a one-off single, the first time this highly regarded band had chosen to record a cover. ~ Ed Nimmervoll, Rovi
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Top tracks

01
The Real Thing
Russell Morris
The Dish (Music From The Motion Picture)
06:19
Composers: John Young

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  • Discography
Albums
2008 Russell Morris
01-11-2024
Jumpstart Diary
01
Get Your Mind Right
Russell Morris
Jumpstart Diary
04:46
Writer: Russell Morris - Pete Robinson / Composers: Russell Morris - Pete Robinson
02
Coming On Strong
Russell Morris
Jumpstart Diary
03:59
Writer: Russell Morris - Pete Robinson / Composers: Russell Morris - Pete Robinson
03
Keeping My Distance
Russell Morris
Jumpstart Diary
03:57
Writer: Russell Morris - Pete Robinson / Composers: Russell Morris - Pete Robinson
04
Do It For Me
Russell Morris
Jumpstart Diary
03:21
Writer: Russell Morris - Pete Robinson / Composers: Russell Morris - Pete Robinson
05
Blown Away
Russell Morris
Jumpstart Diary
03:47
Writer: Russell Morris - Pete Robinson / Composers: Russell Morris - Pete Robinson
06
All Over You
Russell Morris
Jumpstart Diary
04:03
Writer: Russell Morris - Pete Robinson / Composers: Russell Morris - Pete Robinson
07
I Want You
Russell Morris
Jumpstart Diary
03:47
Writer: Russell Morris - See / Composers: Russell Morris - See
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
2023 Russell Morris Productions & Ambition Entertainment Pty Ltd
06-10-2023
The Real Thing - Symphonic Concert
01
Overture/Part Three Into Paper Walls (Live)
Russell Morris
The Real Thing - Symphonic Concert
09:28
Writer: Johnny Young, Russell Morris / Composers: Johnny Young, Russell Morris
02
Only A Matter Of Time (Live)
Russell Morris
The Real Thing - Symphonic Concert
01:36
Writer: Hans Poulsen / Composers: Hans Poulsen
03
A Thousand Suns (Live)
Russell Morris
The Real Thing - Symphonic Concert
04:56
Writer: Russell Morris - Chong Lim / Composers: Russell Morris - Chong Lim
04
Black Dog Blues (Live)
Russell Morris
The Real Thing - Symphonic Concert
04:09
Writer: Russell Morris - Jim Keays / Composers: Russell Morris - Jim Keays
05
The Drifter (Live)
Russell Morris
The Real Thing - Symphonic Concert
04:02
Writer: Russell Morris - Garry Paige / Composers: Russell Morris - Garry Paige
06
The Girl That I Love (Live)
Russell Morris
The Real Thing - Symphonic Concert
03:28
Writer: Johnny Young / Composers: Johnny Young
07
Dance With Me Now (Live)
Russell Morris
The Real Thing - Symphonic Concert
04:22
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
Access the complete album info (22 songs)
2023 Ambition Entertainment Pty Ltd & Russell Morris
12-05-2023
Ghosts & Legends (Songs From The Blues Trilogy)
01
Sharkmouth
Russell Morris
Ghosts & Legends (Songs From The Blues Trilogy)
04:00
Writer: Russell Morris - Gary Paige / Composers: Russell Morris - Gary Paige
02
Eureka
Russell Morris
Ghosts & Legends (Songs From The Blues Trilogy)
03:52
Writer: Russell Morris - Ed Nimervol / Composers: Russell Morris - Ed Nimervol
03
Cut You Loose
Russell Morris
Ghosts & Legends (Songs From The Blues Trilogy)
03:03
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
04
Black Dog Blues
Russell Morris
Ghosts & Legends (Songs From The Blues Trilogy)
03:33
Writer: Keays Morris / Composers: Keays Morris
05
Bendigo Rock
Russell Morris
Ghosts & Legends (Songs From The Blues Trilogy)
05:06
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
06
Goanna Man
Russell Morris
Ghosts & Legends (Songs From The Blues Trilogy)
03:35
Writer: Russell Morris - Phil Manning / Composers: Russell Morris - Phil Manning
07
The Big House
Russell Morris
Ghosts & Legends (Songs From The Blues Trilogy)
02:43
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
Access the complete album info (18 songs)
2022 Russell Morris
05-08-2022
The Dreams Of Jack Chrome
01
Dance With Me Now
Russell Morris
The Dreams Of Jack Chrome
04:11
Composers: Russell Morris
02
Horse With No Name
Russell Morris
The Dreams Of Jack Chrome
04:54
Composers: Dewey Bunnell
03
It's A Killer
Russell Morris
The Dreams Of Jack Chrome
04:38
Composers: Russell Morris
04
Life Support
Russell Morris
The Dreams Of Jack Chrome
04:07
Composers: Russell Morris - Garry Paige
05
Pulse Of A Lover
Russell Morris
The Dreams Of Jack Chrome
04:00
Composers: Russell Morris
06
Jumpin Jack Flash
Russell Morris
The Dreams Of Jack Chrome
03:29
Composers: Mick Jagger - Keith Richards
07
Into The Shadows
Russell Morris
The Dreams Of Jack Chrome
05:20
Composers: Russell Morris
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
â„— 2019 Bloodlines
05-04-2019
Black And Blue Heart
01
Ain't No Angel
Russell Morris
Black And Blue Heart
03:26
Writer: Russell Morris - Gary Paige / Composers: Russell Morris - Gary Paige
02
Is There Anybody Out There?
Russell Morris
Black And Blue Heart
04:18
Writer: Russell Morris - Eddie Rayner / Composers: Russell Morris - Eddie Rayner
03
Sitting Pretty
Russell Morris
Black And Blue Heart
03:42
Writer: Russell Morris - Peter Robinson / Composers: Russell Morris - Peter Robinson
04
Black And Blue Heart
Russell Morris
Black And Blue Heart
05:03
Writer: Gary Hammond - Russell Morris - Paul O'Gorman / Composers: Gary Hammond - Russell Morris - Paul O'Gorman
05
See You Go
Russell Morris
Black And Blue Heart
03:26
Writer: Mitchell Cairns - Russell Morris / Composers: Mitchell Cairns - Russell Morris
06
Full Moon
Russell Morris
Black And Blue Heart
03:15
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
07
Not My Lucky Day
Russell Morris
Black And Blue Heart
03:43
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
2015 Russell Morris
23-10-2015
Red Dirt - Red Heart
01
Cut You Loose
Russell Morris
Red Dirt - Red Heart
03:03
Writer: Morris / Composers: Morris
02
I Go Around
Russell Morris
Red Dirt - Red Heart
03:58
Writer: Paige/Morris / Composers: Paige/Morris
03
Bennelong
Russell Morris
Red Dirt - Red Heart
03:53
Writer: Morris / Composers: Morris
04
Goanna Man
Russell Morris
Red Dirt - Red Heart
03:35
Writer: Manning/Morris / Composers: Manning/Morris
05
Lonesome Road
Russell Morris
Red Dirt - Red Heart
02:31
Writer: Bourne/Morris / Composers: Bourne/Morris
06
Alice
Russell Morris
Red Dirt - Red Heart
04:02
Writer: Morris / Composers: Morris
07
Kadaitcha Man
Russell Morris
Red Dirt - Red Heart
04:48
Writer: Bourne/Morris / Composers: Bourne/Morris
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
2014 Russell Morris
22-04-2013
Van Diemen's Land
01
Dexter's Big Tin Can
Russell Morris
Van Diemen's Land
03:06
02
Van Diemen's Land
Russell Morris
Van Diemen's Land
04:36
03
Sweetest Thing
Russell Morris
Van Diemen's Land
02:58
04
Birdsville
Russell Morris
Van Diemen's Land
03:27
05
Breaker Morant
Russell Morris
Van Diemen's Land
03:46
06
Loch Ard Gorge
Russell Morris
Van Diemen's Land
04:42
07
Burning Rodney
Russell Morris
Van Diemen's Land
02:42
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
2012 Russell Morris
12-10-2012
Sharkmouth
01
Black Dog Blues
Russell Morris
Sharkmouth
03:33
Writer: Morris, Keays / Composers: Morris, Keays
02
The Big House
Russell Morris
Sharkmouth
02:43
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
03
Ballad Of Les Darcy
Russell Morris
Sharkmouth
03:56
Writer: Morris, Paige / Composers: Morris, Paige
04
Bout To Break
Russell Morris
Sharkmouth
04:13
Writer: Morris, Cairns / Composers: Morris, Cairns
05
Sharkmouth
Russell Morris
Sharkmouth
04:00
Writer: Morris, Paige / Composers: Morris, Paige
06
Walk My Blues
Russell Morris
Sharkmouth
02:43
Writer: Morris, Paige / Composers: Morris, Paige
07
The Drifter
Russell Morris
Sharkmouth
04:14
Writer: Morris, Paige / Composers: Morris, Paige
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
2011 Caddman Enterprises
27-06-2011
Wild Bulls and Horses
01
I'm In Love Again
Brian Cadd
Wild Bulls and Horses
03:54
02
Rodeo Girls
Brian Cadd
Wild Bulls and Horses
03:09
03
Big Red Sunset
Brian Cadd
Wild Bulls and Horses
03:15
04
Last to Know
Brian Cadd
Wild Bulls and Horses
04:05
05
Wild Bulls and Horses
Brian Cadd
Wild Bulls and Horses
03:42
06
All The Young Ladies
Brian Cadd
Wild Bulls and Horses
04:12
07
She Left Too Soon
Brian Cadd
Wild Bulls and Horses
03:43
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
â„— 2007 Bloodlines
19-05-2007
Fundamentalist
01
1000 Suns (Acoustic)
Russell Morris
Fundamentalist
04:44
Composers: Chong Lim - Russell Morris
02
Wings Of An Eagle (Acoustic)
Russell Morris
Fundamentalist
04:03
Composers: Russell Morris
03
Sweet Sweet Love (Acoustic)
Russell Morris
Fundamentalist
04:21
Composers: Russell Morris
04
Mr America (Acoustic)
Russell Morris
Fundamentalist
03:19
Composers: Russell Morris
05
It's All Over Now Baby Blue (Acoustic)
Russell Morris
Fundamentalist
03:53
Composers: Dylan
06
Keeping My Distance (Acoustic)
Russell Morris
Fundamentalist
03:47
Composers: Russell Morris - Robinson
07
As Long As It Takes (Acoustic)
Russell Morris
Fundamentalist
03:46
Composers: Russell Morris - Robinson
Access the complete album info (15 songs)
â„— 1991 Evans Morris
01-01-1991
A Thousand Suns
01
A Thousand Suns
Russell Morris
A Thousand Suns
05:00
02
Tartan Lines
Russell Morris
A Thousand Suns
04:18
03
Stay with You
Russell Morris
A Thousand Suns
04:19
04
Child Inside
Russell Morris
A Thousand Suns
04:59
05
New Dawn
Russell Morris
A Thousand Suns
05:02
06
Jungle at Night
Russell Morris
A Thousand Suns
04:28
07
Between the Waves
Russell Morris
A Thousand Suns
04:14
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
â„— 1980 Mushroom Records Pty Ltd.
01-01-1980
Almost Frantic
01
So Tough
Russell Morris
Almost Frantic
03:18
Composers: Russell Morris
02
Radio Active
Russell Morris
Almost Frantic
03:19
Composers: Russell Morris
03
Walk Don't Run
Russell Morris
Almost Frantic
02:55
Composers: Russell Morris
04
The Roar of the Wild Torpedoes
Russell Morris
Almost Frantic
03:11
Composers: Russell Morris
05
Don't Want to Talk About It
Russell Morris
Almost Frantic
03:25
Composers: Russell Morris
06
Somebody's Watching the House
Russell Morris
Almost Frantic
03:12
Composers: Russell Morris
07
I Don't Like the Night
Russell Morris
Almost Frantic
02:12
Composers: Russell Morris
Access the complete album info (15 songs)
â„— 1979 Mushroom Records Pty Ltd.
01-01-1979
Foot In The Door
01
Hot Love
Russell Morris
Foot In The Door
03:42
Composers: Russell Morris
02
Doctor in the House
Russell Morris
Foot In The Door
03:56
Composers: Russell Morris
03
Kidnapped
Russell Morris
Foot In The Door
03:42
Composers: Russell Morris
04
The Sky Is Falling
Russell Morris
Foot In The Door
05:32
Composers: Russell Morris
05
Your Place or Mine
Russell Morris
Foot In The Door
03:41
Composers: Russell Morris
06
I'm Just a Writer
Russell Morris
Foot In The Door
03:32
Composers: Russell Morris
07
Next Exit
Russell Morris
Foot In The Door
03:59
Composers: Russell Morris
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Wizard Records
10-10-1976
Turn It On
01
Broken Egg Shells
Russell Morris
Turn It On
04:12
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
02
R.J.S.S
Russell Morris
Turn It On
03:29
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
03
Superman
Russell Morris
Turn It On
03:19
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
04
Cloudy Day
Russell Morris
Turn It On
03:01
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
05
So Good to See It
Russell Morris
Turn It On
05:30
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
06
Wolves In White
Russell Morris
Turn It On
04:11
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
07
Get You Where You Want
Russell Morris
Turn It On
03:17
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Wizard Records
10-10-1975
Russell Morris
01
Wings of an Eagle
Russell Morris
Russell Morris
03:42
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
02
Sweet Sweet Love
Russell Morris
Russell Morris
04:04
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
03
Blue Eyed Girl
Russell Morris
Russell Morris
03:31
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
04
Hard Road
Russell Morris
Russell Morris
03:18
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
05
Miss Rock 'N' Roll
Russell Morris
Russell Morris
04:12
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
06
Sail With Me
Russell Morris
Russell Morris
03:32
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
07
Let's Do It
Russell Morris
Russell Morris
03:48
Writer: Russell Morris / Composers: Russell Morris
Access the complete album info (10 songs)