The English singer James Morrison worked, among other things, as a carpet layer and cleaner in order to provide for himself. In the evening he wrote songs on his guitar and played in countless locations just to show his music. Eventually his talent was picked up and he was offered a contract. With success, because his debut album Undiscovered came out of nowhere in the UK to first place on the album
… chart and went platinum there within one week. It is impossible to separate Morrison from the wave of 'troubadours' that has started with James Blunt and others (he is very much like Coldplays Chris Martin by the way). What makes James Morrison stand out is his voice, which sounds quite hoarse (and sometimes reminiscent of the Dutch Boris), and the soul influences in his music. Like contender Paolo Nutini, who also debuted in 2006, Morrison seems to be inspired by examples that were famous before he was even born. Morrison's polished version of Al Green's soul - to name just one - in his self-written songs is very radio-friendly and packed with hit potential. (IV)more