Our Editor

image

Matthew Ruddick

Editor
Author of Funny Valentine, an acclaimed new biography of the jazz trumpet player and singer, Chet Baker.
  • 1
Friday, 30 June 2017 21:42

Meg Morley – Through The Hours

Written by 
    Authors Ranking: Authors Ranking
Rate this item
(5 votes)
Solo debut by London based, Australian born pianist reveals new layers on each listen.

Through The Hours is the debut solo recording by London-based, Australian-born pianist, Meg Morley. She is classically trained, and more recently has worked with a variety of dance companies, including Matthew Bourne's New Adventures, and the Rambert Dance Company at Sadler's Wells. She now works full-time at the English National Ballet School. 

She counts Bill Evans as an early influence amongst jazz pianists, through his love of melody, and stylistically, through his sound and feel. Melbourne-based pianist Tim Stevens was an early mentor, and influenced her playing harmonically, whilst UK-based pianist David Walters encouraged the rhythmic side of her playing, which comes through on this E.P.

Rush Hour opens the proceedings, the calm, slow beginning perhaps reflecting a walk to the station, before the crowds start to build. The tension gradually builds, Morley’s playing becoming louder and more percussive, as though on a crowded train, before slowing once more, like a release of pressure.

Drift, perhaps as the title suggests, is less structured, and takes time to reveal itself to the listener; knowing Morley’s background, it easy to imagine dancers rehearsing to the music. In Your Shadow is dedicated to a friend that passed away; rather than being overly sad, it evokes the memories of good times spent with a close friend.

Little Miss builds slowly, eventually developing into a gentle swing; this tune sounds more composed, less improvised, and slightly lighter in tone than the other tunes on the album. 

The title track brings the album to a close, and was composed in her old Kennington apartment. Again, there’s a rhythmic element to her playing, which reflects the sound of the nearby church bells.

Morley’s website reveals that she has played at various silent movie festivals, and she clearly thrives on improvisation; this solo set demonstrates her considerable skills to good effect.

The E.P. was launched at the 1901 Arts Club in Waterloo, where she also previewed a forthcoming trio recording, featuring Richard Sadler on double bass and Emiliano Caroselli on drums. The new album will again feature original compositions, and judging by the group dynamic on display a few weeks back, the new album will demonstrate another side of Morley’s playing.

In the meantime, this solo recording serves as a perfect introduction to this exciting new talent; the music on Through The Hours reveals new layers on each listen, and comes highly recommended.

 

Through The Hours is available through CD Baby, Amazon UK and iTunes.

 

Read 2633 times

Our Contributors

image

Rob Mallows

London Jazz Meetup owner and fan of ‘plugged in’ jazz.
 
image

Simon Cooney

By day a full time Londoner in tv news. By night jazzaholic
 
image

Fernando Rose

I love my jazz and I bless the funk. I play percussion for all and sundry and go by @Mr Cool.
 
image

Grae Shennan

Laboratory scientist with a love of evolving music that defies boundaries. 
 
image

Hilary Robertson

Jazz-obsessed freelance writer and saxist.
 
image

Kim Cypher

Saxophonist, vocalist, composer, band leader and radio show presenter. Follows dreams and loves to celebrate great music and musicians.
 
image

Fiona Ross

Fiona is the founder of the award winning organisation Women in Jazz Media. She was the guest editor in chief for the 2020 edition of Jazz Quarterly and writes for many publications across the globe.
 
image

Wendy Kirkland

Jazz pianist and singer with wide musical tastes spanning latin through fusion to bebop and swing. Cat fanatic.
 
image

Elana Shapiro

From Manchester, currently living in Berlin. Lover of jazz, RnB, and soul inspired music.