Singer-songwriter Frank Morey has never been accused of
having a sweet, pretty, angelic sort of voice. The
Lowell, MA, native is known for a rough, rugged, throaty
style of singing, and his voice is perfect for his very
earthy, blues-minded folk-rock. Morey's expressive
vocals are as gritty as they are soulful.
The New Englander, who plays acoustic guitar and harmonica,
brings a variety of influences to the table. He has
often been compared to early Tom Waits, and his other
influences range from Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen to the
late Chicago blues giant Howlin' Wolf. In the
northeast part of the United States, Morey has tended to
fare well among fans of anti-folk. Morey isn't
anti-folk per se - he has a more classic type of sound - but
like the anti-folk crowd, he likes his folk-rock with a
tough hard edge and a lot of guts.
Morey, whose live performances typically include both covers
and original material, has been playing the Massachusetts
club scene since the 90's. His first album, Father
John's Medicine, was released on the Indigo Hamlet label in
2000 and was followed by the sophomore album, Cold in Hand.
In 2002, Morey signed with veteran producer Bob Koester's
Chicago-based Delmark label and recorded his third album,
the Delmark Sessions.
- Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
