Going Back To The Sky
Singular, 2020
8/10
Listen to Going Back To The Sky
A poet, songwriter and actor, RB Morris is a man with many talents, and with Going Back To The Sky, his self-described ‘dustbowl record’, he tells stories of his travels out west and the characters he’s crossed paths with during his artistic pursuits.
“Prelude I” opens the album with gentle acoustic guitar and warm harmonica on the brief instrumental that sets the rural mood, and “Red Sky” follows with inviting vocals from Morris as the music moves with a soothing, Americana feel that includes an aching fiddle.
Near the middle, “Montana Moon” offers a stylish delivery of folk like ideas amid some classic rock spirit, while “That’s The Way I Do” shuffles with a playful approach where brushed percussion and the talk/singing brings to mind Woody Guthrie. “Once In A Blue Moon”, one of the album’s best, then brings a soft, old time feel to the cautious climate where a violin and mandolin are present and used strategically.
Closer to the end, “Prelude II” is another short instrumental of gentle beauty that places much emphasis on ambience, and “Walking Song” exits the listen bare, with just delicate guitars and subtle keys alongside the timeless folk template.
It’s not hard to think of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen or Tom Waits when listening to Going Back To The Sky, and though Morris often sings in a country inflected tone, there’s also moments of jazz and Mariachi to be found. It’s no surprise that Steve Earle and Lucinda Williams are fans of Morris, and it seems to me that he’ll be adding many more new admirers of his song craft very soon.
Travels well with: Justin Wells- The United State; Graham Bramblett- The Great Inbetween