Reel Two
"Reel Two" Review by Alan Heath
Dave Morgan has been around the Birmingham rock scene since the 1960's. Dave's involvement with Birmingham super-groups THE MOVE as a songwriter and the ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA, as a band member from 1981-86 are legendary and well documented elsewhere, but his own music is less well known by a wider audience.
These previously unfinished old demos along with some newly recorded songs now see a release as 'REEL TWO' an album comprising mostly of love songs. Everyone of us are affected by Love on a day to day basis. The songs on this album have successfully captured all aspects of this universal theme. Whether young or old we all experience the ups and downs and highs and lows of loves full range of emotions, joy, hurt, togetherness, loneliness, bitterness and sweetness and much much more besides.
The opening track 'GOLDEN OLDIES' springs the album into life and from there you embark on a roller-coaster of emotions. With tracks as strong as 'APRIL FLOWERS', 'WHAT LOVE ISN'T', 'EVER SINCE I CAN REMEMBER', 'THE BIT IN THE MIDDLE', 'NOTHING SAYS', 'PERFECT LOVE', and 'PLEASE DON'T GO' (which is a real tear jerker), they will be played over and over again and are going to be remembered as beautifully crafted classics.
The quality of the songs are timeless, the production exceptional and Dave's voice has simply never sounded better than on this wonderful collection of songs.
'MODESTE' (a Jim Cleary song) deserves comparison with ELO's "HELLO MY OLD FRIEND" and the album also has it's humourous moments with 'GO GETTER LADY' and 'DO YOU MIND?' a song so full of tongue in cheek moments, watch out for the sting at the end of the song!
'YES IT IS', is a great cover of this sixties BEATLES b-side, and is arguably no less beautiful than the original. Recorded in an unplugged style the whole track send's shivers down your spine.
All songs are performed by Dave Morgan with contributing musicians including former ELO stars Richard Tandy and Martin Smith along with Bob Wilson, Tony Kelsey, Alan Smith, Mandy Scott-Morgan, Nadine Stavonina, Lisa Kelsey, Pip Allkins, Steve Wilson, J.J.Ford and George Styles who provided the wonderful humourous trackette at the end.
The songs on this album all add up to one thing, pure enjoyment. This collection of songs are simply the best collection of ELO-related songs to be released in a long, long time. Enjoy them to the full.
*JD Miltynn on Mistress Caroline: *
Wow!... I feel like I've just been abducted, 'tinkered with' and returned disabused of all boredom and despair. What a track! The Penumbra of possibilities ignites the curiosity to know all the secrets within the unseen...
PS - That did it for me. I have just bought 'Reel Two' from your excellent shop (Everyone should go visit!) as I realise I have been making a fool of myself, without it! I now await it's arrival with the eagerness of an dog whom single-mindedly awaits it's dinner.