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Live Local Music

The Awakening by James Morrison

Posted by Brittany Barth on 11/02 at 01:20 PM

Considering the hectic week I’ve had, I decided to slow things down with James Morrison.

I discovered the UK-based singer/songwriter back in 2006 when he toured with John Mayer and I fell in love. As soon as he stepped up to the microphone, introduced himself with that dreamy voice of his, and began to strum the chords to his first song, I knew that he was destined for my iPod. His first album, Undiscovered, was on repeat for the rest of the summer.

Since 2006, Morrison has released four studio albums, all of which have been nothing less than stellar. What makes Morrison so remarkable is his ability to remain consistent on each of his albums, thus always leaving his listeners satisfied.

His latest album, The Awakening, has managed provide the same heart, soul, and sensual vocals audiences have now come to expect from him.

The overall sound of the album is reminiscent of the music of Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie. An who doesn’t love Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie? This is due to the fact that Morrison brings an element of funk to The Awakening and it’s something that listener’s won’t be able to get enough of.

So if you’re in the mood to get movin’ and groovin’, skip to tracks like “Slave To The Music”, “Forever” and “Beautiful Life”.

While Morrison exposes his funky side on the album, he exposes his heart too. After you become an avid listener (which I know you will) you’ll find that Morrison has a talent for writing about being in love, and the prospect of losing it.

The fourth track on the album, “Up” featuring Jessie J, is the most powerful song the album possesses. It is a song about wanting to be with someone who will not give her heart fully. It is about being at one’s lowest point, about losing your lover to her inner demons, about wanting her to lift herself up from the ground. It is a song that is both beautiful and heartbreaking.

Other tracks which share the same heart that “Up” provides include “I Won’t I Let You Go”, “Right By Your Side” and “Say Something Now”. These tracks prove to audiences that Morrison has the ability to create songs which are rich in substance and emotion.

After listening to these tracks, you’ll need something to revive you from the heartbreak you’ll endure and I’ve got just the thing.

Skip around the album to the “feel good” tracks like “6 Weeks”, “One Life” and “All Around The World”. You’ll feel like your old self in no time.

James Morrison is an artist who has never failed to impress me with each and every one of his albums. His is a singer with a voice like no other, a songwriter who has the ability to delight, impact and inspire you. After you experience The Awakening, you’ll realize what a talent Morrison is, and anxiously await what he has in store for future albums.