Living In The Shadows
VizzTone, 2020
8/10
Listen to Living In The Shadows
Tyler Morris impressed me with 2018’s Next In Line, and here the youngster (he’s just 21) is in fine company as Ronnie Earl, Joe Louis Walker, and Mike Zito are a few of the guests on the 4th album from the guitar virtuoso.
“Movin’ On” starts the listen with a lively rhythm section alongside guitar acrobatics from Morris on the ultra melodic opener, and “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven” follows with a more restrained display of bluesy, warm fun.
Elsewhere, “Temptation” finds a darker place to reside amid rich musicianship, while “Better Than You”, with Amanda Fish, recruits plenty of energetic keys amid her soaring, soulful vocals. “Nine To Five”, one of the album’s best, then showcases the incredible talent from Morris in the solo filled atmosphere.
“Taken From Me” and “I’m On To You” finish off the record, as the former finds plenty of grooves and meticulous rhythm, while the latter offers one of the busiest tunes with precise and playful instrumentation that exits on a very high note.
Morris takes lead vocals on the majority of the songs here- the first time he’s done that in his career- and he does a fine job of illuminating his bluesy prowess that certainly takes nods to his heroes while very much paving his own path.
Travels well with: Mike Zito & Friends- Rock’n’Roll: A Tribute To Chuck Berry; Joe Bonamassa- Live At The Sydney House Opera