Listen-Very Best of Jenny Morris [Import]

Jenny Morris (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 20, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: PID
• ASIN: B00020H8PS
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #405,455 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good career for this New Zealander. 7/10, February 4, 2009

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dfle3 (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Listen-Very Best of Jenny Morris (Audio CD)

The first time I saw Jenny Morris, which would have been on Australia's old "Countdown" show, she was with the band "Q.E.D", and had at least one song I liked, namely "Everywhere I go". It's a pity that the good QED songs didn't make it on to this compilation, but that is perhaps understandable. QED seem to have gotten lost in the mists of time, unfortunately.

In the meantime, I've heard that Morris had worked as a backing singer with Australia's supergroup of the 1980s, INXS, though I'm not sure if she ever recorded with them.

Anyway, Morris did seem to carve out a niche for herself in Australia with some solid singles (I can't say what impression Morris made in her home country of New Zealand or in the big markets like the US and UK) which I liked enough to make me want to buy this album.

As far as I can remember, all her popular songs are. Here are the ones that I think are the best:

She has to be loved: this song is driven by a great, funky bass guitar line and spanking drums. The song has a swinging chorus and you should try and have a look out for the video-it has a retro feel to it, with what looks like the jitterbug or some such dance being performed by an attractive couple.

You I know: a very nice, upbeat love song with a great sounding steel string accoustic guitar, I think. The drums have a nice, solid sound to them and there is an interesting sounding keyboard type instrument. Also enjoyed the brass instruments in this song. Jenny's signature great, cracked glass vocals are to the fore in this song.

Street of love: a song I had forgotten about but which was a pleasure to be reacquainted with. Again, THAT voice shines, with nice, extended notes. Love the line "I'm a beggar in the street of love". Features accoustic guitar and some piano.

The songs above are the standout tracks for mine, but there are a few others which are not without pleasure:

I've had you: has a mostly mellow, minimalist sound with some orchestral instrumentation, e.g. violin, which makes for a languid and sultry ambience to the song. The song has a very nice sounding harpsichord type instrument bit in it. Some kind of steel string instrument also features.

Body and soul: a well known song by Morris, which is a musing on Cartesian philosophy (perhaps!). Has a cool, muscular, bluesy riff to it.

Break in the weather: has some 'Wang Chungy' note in the intro, from memory, and the bass line recalls "Body and soul". A catchy pop song featuring the keyboard.

You're gonna get hurt: another one of Morris' better known songs. Features a rock sound, with saxophone. The male and female backing singing on this song is nice.

Little little: a sticker on the cd proclaims this as Morris' most requested song. Can't say that it's appeal is obvious or immediate, but it is a pleasant song which grows on you. If you are female (which I'm not), the lyrics could really speak to you, especially if you are or have been pregnant. It's basically a gentle ode to an unborn child. The lyrics sound mystical and the instruments sound instrument...xyolophones or some such instruments are used, along with harps and cellos etc.

Jackson: an amusing duet with a man (not sure, might be INXS' Michael Hutchence, though I'm just guessing on that front). It's American and country music sounding. The dual harmonicas are a nice touch.

Tears: a bassy song with piano and some brass instruments. The lead guitar recalls INXS's "Need you tonight". Nice vocal melody for the song.

Fear: a laid back groove...another moody and sultry song by Morris. The bass and synthesiser are very low sounding.

Crackerjack man: has a funky bass line and a gospelly choir. A glockenspiel type instrument is featured as well.

Piece of my heart: haven't really heard the Janis Joplin song too much, but I like Morris' version...perhaps more than the Joplin version. Features a flute or synth like sound. Some elements of the song recall other songs, like Tom Petty's "Don't come around here no more".

A couple of other songs, though not favourites of mine, are worth mentioning:

Saved me: a moody, drowsy dream sounding song. Features the bongos, and some South American sounding brass instruments, I think.

Self deceiver: keyboard has a reggae flavour to it. Loud synth beat, a swinging chorus and singalong type of lyrics.


This is a good compilation. Morris was by no means a superstar, and she has created a good and varied body of work which I in fact like more than some other acts which are way more successful than her.