Press

This interview appears in the June 2005 (Vol. 15 No. 6) issue of 20th Century Guitar Magazine

TCG:: Tell us something about your musical background and how long you've been playing guitar.
Scott Morris:: Well, I first got a guitar at age six but didn’t start really playing until age nine. I really wanted to be a drummer but my parents said “no way”, so I rebelled for a few years.
TCG:: Tell us about your new cd, (for example) the name of it, when and where it was recorded, some information on the way the album was recorded and how it reflects your overall musicianship and guitar style.
SM:: The new CD is called “Scott Morris plays Paganini and Villa-Lobos” and was recorded in Los Angeles. The producer was Niko Bolas who was Neil Young’s long time producer, as well as Melissa Etheridge, Keith Richards, Herbie Hancock, and a bunch of other great artists.
TCG:: Tell us something about your favorite electric guitars and/or acoustic guitars and the guitars featured on your latest album, adding in something about your guitar set ups, amps, strings and pedals.
SM:: I have quite a few guitars but play my Thomas Humphrey “Millennium” the most. I also have a replica of an early 19th century instrument that Jack Sanders built for me. I occasionally do concerts of all early 19th music, Paganini, Sor, Giuliani, etc… and use the replica guitar to be historically accurate, also its something different to do. . I use both instruments on the new CD. For strings, I use the D’Addario EJ45 and they have endorsed me since 1998.
TCG:: Can you mention some of your musical influences, favorite guitarists and most influential albums?
SM:: I’m lucky that my favorite players have also been my teachers…Pepe Romero, Scott Tennant, William Kanengeiser, Ben Verdery and a few others. I think my favorite cd was David Russell’s Barrios recording. I used the same recording engineer for “Invocation” because I liked it so much.
TCG:: Can you tell us your web site and email contact info?
SM:: My web site is www.scottmorris.net and has the usual press stuff with photos and CD info … but I’m expanding it to include articles about guitar playing and technique, which will be new every few weeks. I can be contacted by e-mail through the site so stop by and say “hello.”

Review:

Danza

(Eroica)

”Recorded in May 2005, Danza features classical guitarist Scott Morris in the studio with noted rock producer Niko Bolas. Morris was masterful on his last solo outing Invocation, and on the ten track 54 minute Danza Morris furthers his stellar reputation performing a challenging five part classical suite by Heitor Villa-Lobos, the three part Grand Sonata In A Major by Niccolò Paganini and a pair classical guitar arrangements by Jorge Morel including El Condor Pasa. Currently the director of guitar studies at California State University in Dominguez Hills, Morris waxes on the significance of these timeless guitar treasures in the lengthy Danza liner notes. Featuring a top performance by Morris on his Thomas Humphrey Millennium and Jack Sanders (19th c. guitar), Danza is a worthy addition to his repertoire. Unobtrusive production by Bolas and Erich Gobel allows Morris to clearly focus on his expressive guitar methodology. On Danza Scott Morris furthers his stellar reptutation...a modern day classical guitar masterpiece" - 20th Century Guitar Magazine

New Classics UK

“On Invocation, the gifted young California-based guitarist Scott Morris plays a well-chosen collection of guitar pieces spanning the 19th and 20th centuries. There are works by Fernando Sor, Manuel de Falla (Homenaje), Joaquin Rodrigo (Invocation y Danza), Nicolo Paganini, Leo Brouwer (Elogio de la Danza), Andrew York and Johann Kaspar Mertz. This imaginative album was produced by John Dearman of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and is a delightful selection of music that deserves to be better known.”

Amazon.com

“Magnetic performances, fingers of steel, perfect intonation and unquestionable musicality. These words perfectly describe the qualities of classical guitarist Scott Morris, who brings thrillingly to life these musical geniuses of the ages: Fernando Sor, Manuel de Falla, Nicolo Paganini, and Joaquin Rodrigo”

Staccato Magazine

“Scott Morris can play the guitar, his technique is particularly impressive. His playing shows personality and creativity. Mr. Morris plays clearly and concisely, and his interpretations are convincing. Scott Morris, as this CD demonstrates, is a young artist with great potential.”

Muse’s Muse

“For those who aren’t aware of the simple beauty of the solo classical guitar, after 50 minutes with Scott, you will be. The fingers are busy and crafty. Joaquin Rodrigo’s ‘Invocation y Danza’ proves this point in elegant fashion; a spry 8 minutes as only the Spanish guitar can claim.

One of the most courtly sets on this release must be the re-acquaintance with Paganini’s Sonatas that take up the bulk of the track list, though they are the short and sweet airs that leave room for other delights, though not greater ones. A bouncy touch is given to these quaint exercises in romantic notions without becoming freestyle or obsessed with ornamentation. Morris knows enough to let the music speak, being himself a first class translator.

Andrew York’s collection of ‘Reflections’ is like the sunset of the album. Thinking is wonderfully underscored with this trilogy of softies, an almost new age skimming off of the harsher elements. What we are left with is one man and his guitar, and the deserted country fields that stretch.

Scott’s next cd will be works from the 19th century and I for one will only be too pleased to lay ears on it.”