Sure, at first listen you might think Morey is a Tom Waits knockoff, but truthfully Morey’s roots trace back through a a diverse set of blues, folk, and honky tonk music, including some other musical heroes, such as Louis Armstrong, Howlin’ Wolf, Ray Charles, Leadbelly, Bob Dylan, and Leonard Cohen, all of whom have helped inspire Morey to craft his own unique sound. In combination with true skill at storytelling and singing, each of Morey’s CDs has improved on the formula and brought him to his fifth CD, the wonderful MADE IN USA.

Morey’s earlier CDs include Bourbon Soaked Halo from 1998, Father John’s Medicine in 2000, and Cold in Hand and The Delmark Sessions (released by Delmark Records), both of which came out in 2002.

Morey’s back up band consists of drummer and percussionist Scott Pittman who was the drummer for and co-founded The Shods. Pittman plays a drum set up based on a 1920’s traps kit and you can see some pictures on Morey's web site. Andrew Bergmann recently replaced Joe “Tub” Faria on upright bass and he also performs in a jazz duo called Troglodytes. MADE IN USA also includes musical guests Pam Murray, Bryan MacAuslan, Eileen Rose, and long-time collaborator and producer Peter Linnane. This latest disc was recorded at Wonka Sound by Bob Nash.

Based in Lowell, Massachusetts, an industrial city northwest of Boston where Jack Kerouac spent much of his youth before heading out on the road. Morey is still based in Lowell and speaks in the interview about how this city with its industrial roots also has influenced him and his writing. As often quoted, Morey says, "You can sit down in some bar in Lowell and there’s going to be somebody in that place that you couldn’t invent. They’re beautiful and crazy and for some reason they all want to sit next to me."

As such, Morey’s world is filled with characters desperately in love or caught in the pain of heartbreak, sinners seeking salvation, sinners who don’t care to be saved, and folks who are down on their luck or brimming with optimism. He tells his stories not in linear paths, but through painting part of a picture and letting you connect the rest of the dots. It’s not often these days that you consciously pay attention to a songwriter's words, but Morey’s work certainly does demand it.

Morey is known for playing residencies in a number of cities, including Lowell, Boston, Worcester, and New York. He’s done several tours over the years and is heading to Europe later this year. Visit his gigs page to find out when and where he’s performing and to sign up for his email list.

A special thanks to the owners of the Cambridge pub The Plough and Stars for letting me record the interview at their pub. These fine folks include Brendan Curhs, Jennifer Lockwood, and Tim Carey. And, just to prove that Well-Rounded Radio doesn’t record our interviews in some antiseptic, soundproof studio in midtown Manhattan, you’ll get a bit of the ambiance of a real pub (or its basement, I should say!) through some of the audio in the background! Listen and see what I mean…

I recently met with Morey to discuss:
* how he got into playing music and how some musical legends have inspired him
* how religion has played a role in forming him and his work
* and proof that he isn’t faking that voice in the music in the least

Songs highlighted in the interview include:
1) No Good (MADE IN USA) (in preview)
2) Freight Train (MADE IN USA)
3) Murder in Boston (Father's John Medicine )
4) Blame it on the Devil (The Delmark Sessions )
5) Dry Up (The Delmark Sessions)
6) Baby, Don't Leave The Light On (The Delmark Sessions)
7) Must be Hard (To Be So Pretty) (MADE IN USA)
8) Lord Have Mercy (When I Lay My Burden Down) (MADE IN USA)
9) Standing on a Corner (MADE IN USA)
10) You're My Jesus (MADE IN USA)
11) North Atlantic Line (MADE IN USA)
12) This Ol' Life (Seems to Be Taking Forever) (MADE IN USA)
13) I Stopped Believing in You Today (MADE IN USA)

Frank recommends Melvern Taylor, Bob Martin, Eileen Rose, Peter Linnane, The Beat Awfuls, The Drug Rug, Darkbuster, and The Preacher Jack.