Even within the strange dichotomy that is the life of a famous pop star, real life happens.
In British singer-songwriter James Morrison’s case, it was a taste of the extremes. After coming out with his second record “Songs for You, Truths for Me,” the 28-year-old had a child and lost his father to alcoholism and depression.
Imprint
While grieving, he found time to carve what he considers his first proper album. His third album, “The Awakening” served as a distraction from grief.
“On a personal level, the songs really helped me with my dad. Getting back to my life, being a dad myself, it was a great experience. It was the experience that I needed to have,” he said.
Despite using the album as an escape from mourning, Morrison said that his father’s memory, particularly his musical influence, had an imprint on the album.
“I was listening to stuff that my dad used to listen to, stuff that reminded me of him, just good music that my dad loved.”
“I think the songs in ‘The Awakening’ are a lot more personal to me. In that sense, it’s like my first album,” he added. “I didn’t worry about style or how many sales I was going to have, or what people are going to think. I just did what I wanted to do.”
Free rein
Morrison, who will perform at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 9, is exceptionally honest when looking back at his body of work. While he admits he’s not the biggest admirer of his previous albums, particularly his second record, he doesn’t downplay their significance.
“I cared a lot about those albums at the time and I gave it my best shot. It’s only when you come out of the situation that you realize you could have done better,” he said.
“I was 20 when I started making my first album. I had a lot to learn and it’s only now that I feel like I’ve learned enough to know exactly what I need to do to feel good about what I’m doing.”
Morrison had free rein in making “The Awakening,” something he didn’t have while making his first two records. With it came a desire to rebel against his hallmark.
“I didn’t want to just keep writing love songs because that’s what I’m known for. I wanted to get away from that. I wanted it to be more about life, not love,” he said.
Morrison said fatherhood made him “more conscious of writing songs that mean something,” which was evident in his new 13-track record. “I wanted it to reflect real stuff and not a formula of writing songs.”
Darker record
The album took 1 ½ years to write. Former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler collaborated with Morrison for most of the album. Half of the songs were inspired by Morrison’s conversations with his dying father.
Because of the material’s source, the record is decidedly darker. More mature and roughed up, Morrison is shedding the romantic balladeer shtick; something that he insists was never accurate in the first place.
“I’m romantic about life and about people. I’m romantic about the idea that we might be able to live together one day without hurting each other,” he said.
“I’m a hippie, really.”
