Billboard Beatdown: “I Know You, Part III” by Morphine
I remember a time when the term “alternative†meant something. That moment lasted for about a minute. Corporate America either doesn’t know or doesn’t care that it’s the derivative of the derivative that is going to kill you every time. The first wave is fresh. The second wave might not be as fresh, but if you are lucky it improves on the first. By the time the third wave comes through, no one really remembers where it started or why.
For many years, I used to tell people bands like Morphine were the reason the “alternative†label existed. Name me five other bands that sound like Morphine. I don’t think you can do it. I’m not saying they are the best of all time. They are one of the more original. Mark Sandman’s deep croon embodied cool. His two-string bass is, I believe, an invention of his own because I don’t think you can buy one in stores. Distinct voice, a two-string bass played with a slide, tenor saxophone, and drums. Three guys, no guitars- how many bands out there have that formula? What an amazing sound.
The band’s name probably put a few people off. It actually seems to fit perfectly- or at least I think it does. I’ve never had occasion to use morphine or have it administered to me. I have heard the effects of it described, and many of those adjectives can be applied to Morphine’s music- and better yet, no needles.
This is one of the better songs on their disappointing Like Swimming album- their first for the Dreamworks record label. My favorite memory of this song is back in my JUCO theater days. I was an extra in a production of Taming of the Shrew. I had just returned from an ill-fated stay in Colorado and this album was released during our run.
As an extra, there were long stretches of the performance where I sat backstage and did… nothing. So, in the days before iPod (what uncivilized times I have lived through), I was forced to resort to a portable CD player and a fistful of CDs. I listened to “I Know You, Pt. 3†on repeat for long stretches of the first and second act. I was, and still am, ghastly as an actor. I didn’t stay in theater much longer. The fact that an average Morphine album interested me more than a Shakespearean classic speaks volumes- just another Confession of a Fanboy.
Filed under: Tags: Billboard Beatdown
i’m not sure it’s possible to name a single band that sounds like Morphine.
really a shame they werent’ more popular.
I was thinking more or less the same thing. It’s a huge bowl of rare to be able to refer to anyone as original or unique but those guys were.
i first heard that song “Good” and it was a jaw-dropping experience. nothing ‘fancy’ about them chops-wise. just some cool tunes and a very distinct sound.
i still haven’t picked up that Sandman box.
Sandman box? I didn’t even know such a thing existed. Just looked it up on Amazon. I am going to have one of those.
i just love makin’ people spend money!
I’ve got a long list… that’s definitely going on it.
That reminds me, too, that I need to get something together on another Saleski-inspired purchase: Dan Lanois’ Belladonna.
[...] up when I got here? Daniel Lanois’ Belladonna album. The reason for that can be found on the Morphine thread from earlier today. It’s a great, great record- one of the finest instrumental albums in recent [...]
We saw them in concert not too long before Mark died. They were one of the truly unique sounds. Both listenable, yet marketable.
It’s too bad, the good truly die young. I will live forever. Or at least in infamy.
Are you two having your own party here or something?
You’re welcome to party with us, Dawn. Over on this thread, the name of the game is to see what it would take in bribes to get me to post a picture of me in the tux I’ll be wearing for my friend’s June wedding. Here, it’s Saleski and I running our yaps about our music collection.
I never got to see Morphine live- damn shame, too. I would have love to seen them. As you said, unique. Cure for Pain is a classic record.
Nice write-up, Josh. I couldn’t agree with you more.
My old housemate played me ‘Buena’ about 8 years ago, and I’ve been playing their songs religiously ever since. Listening to Morphine seems to work great when I’m feeling rather negative and yet still persisting to do work and be productive.
As for Sandbox, I bought it off of iTunes last year. There’s a couple of jewels, but mostly filler and c-sides in my opinion. Still, I believe the proceeds go to a benefit organization of Sandman’s so it’s cool.
[...] wrote about Morphine in the early days of the site and a number of fellow enthusiasts joined in the discussion. One of [...]