Russell Morris’ “Fabtabulos” ‘The Real Thing Symphonic Concert’ Is Now - Noise11.com
Russell Morris The Real Thing Symphonic Concert

Russell Morris’ “Fabtabulos” ‘The Real Thing Symphonic Concert’ Is Now

by Paul Cashmere on October 6, 2023

in News

On Tuesday 4 July 2023, Australian music legend Russell Morris played the concert of his lifetime. Russell Morris performed with the 54-piece Southern Cross Symphony and his 10-piece band. It was the pinnacle of remarkable career that began with the band Somebody’s Image in 1967.

In his roller-coaster career Russell Morris has been the Rock star, the Pop star and a Blues musician. At every step along the way, Russell has been about the art of making music. That has meant various degrees of success but he has never sacrificed his integrity.

In 2012, already with 40 plus years under the belt, Russell embarked on his most ambitious project, the blues album ‘Sharkmouth’. This was former 70s pop star Russell Morris stepping right out of his comfort zone to begin a labour of love project – a trilogy of blues albums – that would define the latter part of his career. Against all odds, ‘Sharkmouth’ became the biggest selling album of his career.

These last 10 years have also been his most prolific. Since 2012, there have been the three blues records, two ‘Jack Chrome’ concept albums (one with Rick Springfield) set around the Mexican Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) tradition, the rock record ‘Black and Blue Heart’ and now this Anthology with orchestra.

‘The Real Thing Symphonic Concert’ spans a recording career from 1967 to 2022 but not necessarily with a setlist of obvious songs. Because of the forementioned “roller-coaster” some gems remained undiscovered. ‘The Real Thing Symphonic Concert’ gave Russell, (and arranger David Hirschfelder) an opportunity to shine light on some musical moments that slipped through the cracks of this long career. ‘A Thousand Suns’ from 1991 was a song and album that came at a time when music was exploding with new sounds out of Seattle. When Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden rose in the Grunge era, even acts like Bon Jovi felt dated at the time. Today, ‘A Thousand Suns’ by Russell Morris shines alongside the hits as do the three songs from 2008’s ‘Jumpstart Diary’ in act two. Listen to ‘I Will Wait For You’, ‘Blown Away’ and ‘As Far As I Remember’ and you’ll get the “how did I miss that at the time” feel. ‘Doctor In The House’ from 1979’s ‘Foot In The Door’ also fell through the cracks in its day as well. Remember 1979, right off the back of Punk, overlapping with New Wave and just before the New Romantic 80s. In 1979, 1969 seemed a lifetime away.

Russell Morris exploded at the end of the 60s with ‘The Real Thing’ and for the next four years didn’t leave the charts. ‘The Real Thing’ led to ‘Part Three into Paper Walls’ into ‘Rachel’ into ‘Mr America’ into ‘Sweet Sweet Love’ into ‘Live With Friends’ into ‘Wings of an Eagle’. The Russell Morris legacy was created over that period from 1969 to 1972. It is a body of work that over time has become a treasure chest of Australian classics.

Watch Mr America from the concert:

The dynamic between the orchestra and the rock band makes for an astonishing live experience. When you take already powerful songs and elevate them with the power of 54 more musicians it creates an out of body experience with the songs. It actually becomes the ludicrous speed version of rock music. ‘Van Dieman’s Land’ takes on the power of an army with the orchestra, but that said, ‘Black Dog Blues’ minus the orchestra has its own power-pack attached with Peter Robinson on guitar. Peter is one of Australia’s greatest and most underrated guitarists. Two and a half minutes into ‘Black Dog Blues’, Peter takes over command.

Peter goes to the next level of ‘The Real Thing’ when the rock band and the orchestra morph into a single powerhouse. There are some subtle orchestra moves in this one. At the four and a half minute mark, take a close listen. The rock band is playing ‘The Real Thing’, the orchestra is playing ‘Waltzing Matilda’ and it works beautifully.

There are some special moments. Russell had not performed ‘The Girl That I Love’ for decades, The Moody Blues classic ‘Nights In White Satin’ was a first for Russell (and when you have an orchestra at your beck and call, it would be rude not to).

This was a remarkable evening now captured as a live album. ‘The Real Thing Symphonic Concert’ was beautifully produced by Michael Cristiano. The arrangements by David Hirschfelder brought the music of Russell Morris to a new high and conductor Peter Morris created the dynamics with the band driving the orchestra.

‘The Real Thing Symphonic Concert’ is out now.

Russell Morris at Hamer Hall Melbourne, setlist 4 July 2023

Set I
Prologue/Part Three Into Paper Walls (from Wings of an Eagle and Other Great Hits, 1973)
Only A Matter Of Time (from Wings of an Eagle and Other Great Hits, 1973)
A Thousand Suns (from A Thousand Suns, 1991)
Black Dog Blues (from Sharkmouth, 2012)
The Drifter (from Sharkmouth, 2012)
The Girl That I Love (from Wings of an Eagle and Other Great Hits, 1973)
Dance With Me Now (from The Dreams of Jack Chrome, 2022)
Van Diemans Land (from Van Diemans Land, 2014)
Rachel (from Wings of an Eagle and Other Great Hits, 1973)
Mr America (from Wings of an Eagle and Other Great Hits, 1973)

Set II
It’s All Over Now Baby Blue (Somebody’s Image single, 1967)
Squizzy (from Sharkmouth, 2012)
Sandakan (from Van Diemans Land, 2014)
Doctor In The House (from Foot In The Door, 1979)
I Will Wait For You (from Jumpstart Diary, 2008)
Blown Away (from Jumpstart Diary, 2008)
Nights In White Satin (The Moody Blues cover)
As Far As I Remember (from Jumpstart Diary, 2008)
Hush (Somebody’s Image single, 1967)
The Real Thing (single, 1969)
Wings Of An Eagle (from Wings of an Eagle and Other Great Hits, 1973)
Sweet Sweet Love (from Bloodstone, 1971)

ENCORE PERFORMANCE DATES
RUSSELL MORRIS: THE REAL THING (LIVE IN CONCERT)
Melbourne – Hamer Hall – Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st October
Perth – Crown Theatre – Saturday 11th November
Adelaide – Festival Theatre – Friday 17th November
Sydney – Sydney Opera House Concert Hall – Wednesday 22nd November
Brisbane – Convention & Exhibition Centre – Saturday 9th December

https://russellmorris.com.au

Stay updated with your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here

Be the first to see NOISE.com’s newest interviews and special features on YOUTUBE and updated regularly. See things first SUBSCRIBE here: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

Noise11.com

Related Posts

Bob Dylan Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited: 60 Years of a Rock & Roll Revolution

Released on August 30, 1965, Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited marked a seismic shift in both his career and the landscape of popular music. Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, the album stands as a bold declaration of artistic freedom, blending folk, blues, and rock into a sound that was as electrifying as it was poetic.

August 30, 2025
The Beatles Anthology box 2025 vinyl edition
The Beatles’ Lost Epic The Unreleased Story of Carnival of Light Once Again Fails To Surface on Anthology

There is one Beatles song that has taken on mythical status among fans, collectors and music historians. It has never been released, never leaked, and exists only in the archives of Abbey Road Studios. It is called Carnival of Light.

August 28, 2025
Mavis Staples to Release New Album ‘Sad And Beautiful World’ November 7

There are few voices in American music that carry the weight of history, faith, and resilience quite like Mavis Staples. Now 86, Staples is still moving forward with the same passion that has defined her life in music, announcing the release of her new album Sad And Beautiful World for November 7. Produced by Brad Cook (Bon Iver, Waxahatchee, Nathaniel Rateliff), the record is a sweeping celebration of survival and connection, featuring appearances from some of music’s greatest names.

August 27, 2025
Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys
Jimi Hendrix’s New York: A Gritty, Intimate Portrait of the Guitar God’s East Coast Awakening

A fresh and intimate window into Jimi Hendrix’s New York chapter has arrived with the nine-minute short film Jimi Hendrix’s New York, a companion piece to the expansive Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision deluxe box set.

August 27, 2025
The Doors Live At Bakersfield
The Doors: Live in Bakersfield, August 21, 1970 — A Wild, Rare Live Release

The Doors’ newly issued Live in Bakersfield, August 21, 1970 is one of the most compelling live documents to surface from the band’s archives in years. Released on both CD and limited edition vinyl, the concert captures Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore in a unique and unpredictable setting.

August 26, 2025
The Who, Pete Townshend. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
Pete Townshend: Reveling at 80 on Final Who Tour and Bold New Beginnings

London’s indefatigable rock sage Pete Townshend recently granted AARP The Magazine a deeply revealing interview, with the questioning prowess of Jim Sullivan guiding him through reflections on The Who’s swan song and his exhilarating future ahead.

August 25, 2025
The Beatles Anthology box 2025 vinyl edition
The Beatles’ Anthology 4 Announcement Splits Fans Between Celebration and Criticism

The Beatles’ world lit up on 21 August 2025 when Apple Corps confirmed what had long been whispered: Anthology 4will arrive this November as part of a deluxe 8-CD / 12-LP box set. For many, the announcement was nothing short of historic—a long-awaited continuation of the celebrated mid-’90s Anthology trilogy. But while excitement has been intense, the news has also stirred division among fans. Some see Anthology 4 as a fitting final chapter, while others accuse it of being an unnecessary cash-grab.

August 25, 2025