Mark Morriss

Having been big fans of the Bluetones we were not quite sure what to expect from Mark Morriss. But in the days of stellar gig prices, £10 in a small venue was too good to miss. As my gig buddy remarked "It would be rude not to". I hastily ordered the album and managed a few listens. Well the album was nice enough but didn't quite grab me in the same way as the Bluetones did in those heady Brit Pop mid nineties. Still the sweet tones of Mr Morriss were enough to get use excited about the short trip to Manchester. The Deaf Institute is a quirky venue to say the least but we left enough time to explore the hostelries in the area. We need not have looked any further than the iconic ex cinema next store formerly the Grosvenor Picture House but now The Footage pub. A delightful place with great classic music, pool tables and a great selection of Food and Drink. A sort of rock sports bar. On entering the Deaf Institute it was difficult to believe that someone who was so well known in the nineties would be playing such a small venue, but what a venue this is. Difficult to describe the three level establishment with a psychedelic, retro, music hall feel. All in all a lovely vibe. Well Mr Morriss's voice was unmistakeable as he launched into the opening number. His sweet voice complemented by a tight band. Great sound balance despite Mark being agitated by the volume of his guitar. In between songs he fidgeted nervously with his tuning and made semi humorous remarks. Well it was lovely to see him, and his new stuff sounded great live but how we wished for some of those nineties classics like Bluetonic and Marble Head Johnson. But no this was not the Bluetones so he wouldn't be going there. Still a lovely set in great surroundings. Mark finished with Space Cadet and thanked us as "You are the only audience I've got and you're not growing" Geoff Poole