Jas Morris - Inspired Thoughts

Jas Morris was a new name to all of us until his Guitar Idol entry got through to the Live Final back on June 14th 2008 when he had the unenviable task of opening the show - but one he carried off with considerable flair, panache and skill.

Jas has built up a considerable live reputation in the South and West of the UK (see http://www.morrisbrothersband.com/) so let's see whether his live prowess translates to disc...

Overview!

'Revelation' - the stunning track that saw Jas wow thousands of guitar fans at the Guitar Idol 2008 Live Final at The London Guitar Show opens proceedings. This is a supremely melodic piece with lashings of lush wide interval melody lines a la Eric Johnson and Carl Verheyen, Michael Lee Firkins-esque trem phrasing, great vibrato topped off with some cooly executed speed picking. This is a nigh on perfect example of melodic rock guitar playing - and what a tone!

Check out his performance here: http://www.licklibrary.com/Channels/Guitar%2DIdol/

That great tone is immediately apparent on track two 'Supremacy' which follows much in the same vein. Jas has a fully evolved style that whilst exhibiting world class chops is never gratuitous. A great rhythm section and adventurous arrangements combine with melodious blues inflected hi-tech guitar playing with simply great phrasing - from Stevie Ray Vaughan-esque pentatonic wig outs to more of those open interval lines: speedy scalar runs and funky octaves abound.

'I Need You' features cascading arpeggios and more of that melodic combination of classic rock/blues phrasing with more some Andy Timmons/Jeff Kollman style lines with enough legato/sweep picking and speed picked runs to satisfy those shred heads amongst you. Also noteworthy is a great sense of funky fluidity evident throughout the album.

'The Hero' takes things down a notch with lush clean tones and almost Knopfler style lines, a hint of Brian May plus some compositional nods to some of Steve Morse's solo work. Some great arpeggio/tapping string skipping here along with some Satch type lines - but always with the ghost of Eric Johnson overseeing proceedings.

'Forbidden Love' is a bitter sweet ballad with some singing sustain driven melody and harmony lines, cool intervallic chops, taut Schenker style pentatonic licks, whilst 'I'd Rather Dream' folows suit opening with volume pedal swells, gentle keyboards before settling into a film score type track with some eloquent strat type melodies and another lyrical set of solos.

'So Amazing' concludes matters in low key movie theme style.

Being a compilation of his instrumentals to date taken from variuos recording projects and albums, this is not a fully fledged album per se, more a compendium of his work to date in an instrumental setting. Should Jas decide in the future to do a specific solo album I would like him to rise to the occasion and do a full Eric Johnson epic in the style of 'Venus Isle' - particularly as Eric has seemingly deserted that epic pastoral style of album behind.

Jas has the chops,taste, tone and most importantly the compositional ability to rise to the occasion I am sure!

Conclusion

As is obvious upon reading this review, to my ears Jas is very much from the Eric Johnson school of considered and melodic guitar playing - but with enough of his own touch and style to plainly rise above being a mere copysist. Coupled with elements of Andy Timmons, Jeff Kollman and just a hint of Steve Morse, Jas is a worthy addition to the ranks of must hear guitarists. Nice one - now I can't wait for the real album!