Australia’s legendary singer songwriter Russell Morris has debuted at number one on Australia’s Blues and Jazz Chart and number one on the AIR Indie Charts with the third album in his blues trilogy ‘Red Dirt Red Heart’.
‘Red Dirt Red Heart’ completes a labour of love that started with ‘Sharkmouth’ in 2012 and continued with ‘Van Dieman’s Land’ in 2014. ‘Sharkmouth’ went on to become the biggest selling Australian album of original songs the following year and collectively with ‘Van Dieman’s Land’ sold over 110,000 copies giving Morris his biggest career kick in 40 years.
‘Red Dirt Red Heart’ follows the previous two albums with Morris telling unique stories about Australian places and characters, some historic, some personal. While ‘Sharkmouth’ was mainly about shady and notorious characters from Melbourne’s past, ‘Van Dieman’s Land’ covered historical moments such as the Eureka Stockade and the story of Break Morant. As the title alludes, ‘Red Dirt Red Heart’ is focused around stories of Central Australia.
Now 67, Russell Morris first charted in 1967 with his band at the time Somebody’s Image and their cover of the Billy Joe Royal song ‘Hush’. Deep Purple scored their first Australian hit 11 months later with the same song.
A year later, Morris was Australia’s biggest pop star and ruled the charts of 1969 with the now classic ‘The Real Thing’, written by Johnny Young and produced by Ian ‘Molly Meldrum.
The Morris legacy developed at this time with a string of hits ‘Part Three Into Paper Walls’, ‘Rachel’, ‘Mr America’, ‘Sweet Sweet Love’, ‘Live With Friends’ and ‘Wings Of An Eagle’ establishing a career that continues today 45 years later.
‘Red Dirt Red Heart’ was the third highest debut at number 8 on the Australian Artist chart this week and came in at number 21 over all on the Australian Album Chart.
BUY Red Dirt Red Heart from JB HIFI and Songland Records
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