by John Van Der Kiste for Face the Music fanzine, 1998.

DAVID SCOTT-MORGAN: Call 1997 (CDM97, 57'07)

D S-M, or Dave Morgan to give him the more familiar moniker, has been around as a session musician and songwriter lurking somewhere in the credits on a score of our favourite bands' associated projects for more years than he might like us to remember, be it writing B-sides for singles by The Move, or as part of the Tandy Morgan Band. A solo project has been long overdue, and at last we have it in the shape of 'Call', a CD of Christian music. Dave isn't content to let an understated Christian spirit influence his lyrics in a subliminal way, like After The Fire and U2. As a writer of hymns for the late 20th century - and I mean no disrespect in describing them as such - he sets his words (all his, apart from a rearrangement of Psalm 139) to a generally hymn-like structure, suitably uplifting, or majestic and mournful by turn. They're a perfect vehicle for his vocals, which have shades of Chris de Burgh and another talented (and tragic) Midlands songwriter Clifford T. Ward. And as for the music - well, wasn't it Cliff Richard who once asked, "Why does the devil have all the best tunes?" The quick answer, Sir, is that he doesn't. To do a track-by-track review of all 16 numbers would be superfluous, so I'll pick out the highlights. 'Stains of Yesterday' is the most instantly catchy of the lot - up-tempo with an insistent keyboard riff that reminded me of nothing so much as Van Halen's 'Jump'. 'Done It All' is the most interesting lyrically - "Waiting for your best friend who never turned up when he said/Putting on a brave face, but hoping against hope you won't have to fight/Jesus has done it all for me." 'God's Good Time' includes Richard Tandy on keyboards and a certain 'fourth (or fifth?) Beatle' (a.k.a. Otis Wilbury, or even Jeff Lynne) as producer. A slow, reflective verse leading into a rousing, gospelly chorus, production-wise it's the star of the show. 'Jesus Knows' is one of the simpler, gentler songs with a hint of lead guitar in the background which I would have liked to hear pushed up further in the mix. And the title track, which closes proceedings, has a more brisk, almost marching feel in contrast to the subdued, plaintive numbers like 'All For Love' and 'This Is My Prayer'. As this isn't a commercial recording, it may be rather unfair to proffer the suggestion. But overall the constant keyboard and our old friend (?) Dr Rhythm don't do the songs full justice. Jeff's work on 'God's Good Time' shows what more sympathetic, imaginative production can be done with what are excellent songs. Having said that, don't let this put you off. Dave had obviously put heart and soul into the project, and it is one to which all discerning FTM readers (well, surely they all are?) should give their attention.

John Van Der Kiste

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