Morris On

Morris On is a folk/rock album released in 1972 under the joint names of Ashley Hutchings, Richard Thompson, Dave Mattacks, John Kirkpatrick and Barry Dransfield. Like the subsequent "Descendant Of" Morris On albums (see below), it features English Morris dance tunes and songs, played with a combination of traditional instruments (button accordion, concertina, fiddle, etc.) and modern ones (electric guitar, bass, drums). In common with later records, dancers complete with bells and sticks were also included in the sessions. The album's name echoes that of Rock On, another 1972 record in which Hutchings was involved.

Contents

• Morris on old woman shepherds hey and trunkles
• Morris on band greensleeves
• Track listing
• Personnel
• Subsequent Descendant Of Morris On albums
• Songs
• References

A digitally remastered version of the album was released on 18 January 2010.

The album is described by Allmusic's reviewer as

A beautiful, authentically rustic album, without a trace of elegance, and hardly even an effort at smoothing over the rough spots. The music and the performances have a quiet power and dignity, and a raw, direct nature that is extremely appealing

The cover includes an amusing photograph of the principal participants in morris-associated costume, but with modern accessories - Hutchings' morris man sports a Gibson Flying V guitar, Kirkpatrick's chimney sweep a vacuum cleaner, and so on. This is in keeping with the jollity of the music, including as it does nonsense songs, exuberant dance, general bawdiness and the grand false start to Princess Royal. Later "Descendant Of" Morris On album covers followed this template.

The album was produced and engineered by John Wood.