Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZMORPHINERock trio from Boston. Vocalist-guitarist Mark Sandman and drummer Billy Conway began playing semi-acoustic roots rock as Treat Her Right (named after Roy Head's '65 hit) with David Champagne on guitar, Jim Fitting on harmonica, albums including Treat Her Right '88 on RCA (reached the top 200 USA), What's Good For You '91 on Rounder (didn't). They threw out the guitars, Sandman switching to a two-string acoustic bass, and added Dana Colley on baritone sax, inventing something new, discovering the old lesson that less is often more. The new group's albums began with Good '92 on Accurate/Distortion, switching to Rykodisc for Cure For Pain '93 and Yes '95 (almost reached the top 100 albums); Like Swimming '97 had a slinky, smoky sound, having further boiled off the rockabilly. The title track was a gently carnal invitation, and the group may have taken a strange path to a compelling new kind of cabaret. |