The Real Thing: Symphonic Concert

The Real Thing: Symphonic Concert
Live album by Russell Morris
Released	6 October 2023
Recorded	4 July 2023
Venue	Hamer Hall, Melbourne
Label	Ambition
Producer	Michael Cristiano
Russell Morris chronology
Ghost Legends (2023) The Real Thing: Symphonic Concert (2023)

The Real Thing: Symphonic Concert is a live album by Australian singer-songwriter Russell Morris, released on 2×CD on 6 October, on 2×LP on 3 November 2023[1][2] and on DVD on 5 July 2024.[3] It was recorded on 4 July 2023 at Hamer Hall, Melbourne, and announced on 10 July.[4]

Upon announcement, Morris said "Performing my songs in front of 65 musicians in July was a career highlight that I could never have imagined. David Hirschfelder has done a spectacular job turning my songs into orchestral arrangements, they sound truly amazing."[1]

At the AIR Awards of 2024, the album was nominated for Best Independent Classical Album or EP.[5]

Background

In April 2023, Morris announced two planned performances with symphony orchestras; one at the Sydney Opera House and one at Hamer Hall, Melbourne on 2 and 4 July 2023. The performances were scored by David Hirschfelder with Morris accompanied with a 54-piece orchestra and a 10-member band.[6]

In August 2023, Morris announced encore performances between October and December 2023 in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane.[1]

Reception

Writing for Stack Magazine, Jeff Jenkins commented that "the 22 songs span 55 years" and wrote that "a standout is the long-forgotten 1970 single 'Mr. America', whose heavy riffing soars in the orchestral setting". Jenkins concluded, "This collection shows that Russell Morris has a remarkable catalogue".[7]

Paul Cashmere from Noise11 felt that "the dynamic between the orchestra and the rock band makes for an astonishing live experience. When you take already powerful songs and elevate them with the power of 54 more musicians it creates an out of body experience with the songs."[2]

Track listing

CD1 / LP1

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Overture / Part Three into Paper Walls"	Russell Morris & Johnny Young	9:31
2.	"Only a Matter of Time"	Hans Poulsen	1:34
3.	"A Thousand Suns"	Morris & Chong Lim	4:58
4.	"Black Dog Blues"	Morris & Jim Keays	4:11
5.	"The Drifter"	Morris & Garry Paige	4:03
6.	"The Girl That I Love"	Young	3:30
7.	"Dance with Me Now"	Morris	4:23
8.	"Van Diemen's Land"	Morris & Shannon Bourne	4:46
9.	"Rachel"	Raymond Froggatt	3:38
10.	"Nights in White Satin"	Justin Hayward	4:00
11.	"Mr. America"	Morris	4:04

CD2 / LP2

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"It's All Over Now, Baby Blue"	Bob Dylan	4:01
2.	"Squizzy"	Morris	3:55
3.	"Sandakan"	Morris	4:22
4.	"Doctor in the House"	Morris	4:12
5.	"I Will Wait for You" (with Jason Vorherr)	Morris & Peter Robinson	3:45
6.	"Blown Away"	Morris & Robinson	3:51
7.	"As Far As I Remember"	Morris & Robinson	4:05
8.	"Hush"	Joe South	4:45
9.	"The Real Thing"	Young	6:55
10.	"Wings of an Eagle"	Morris	4:51
11.	"Sweet, Sweet Love"	Morris	4:48

Charts

Chart performance for The Real Thing: Symphonic Concert

Chart (2023)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[8]	5

Release history

Release history and formats for The Real Thing: Symphonic Concert

Region	Date	Format	Label	Catalogue
Australia	6 October 2023	2×CD digital download	Ambition	AMBITION220
Australia	3 November 2023	2×LP	Ambition	AMBITION220V
Australia	5 July 2024	DVD	Ambition	AMBITION220D

References

1. "Music legend Russell Morris brings symphonic concert The Real Things back to Melbourne". Forte Magazine. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
2. "Russell Morris' "Fabtabulos" The Real Thing Symphonic Concert Is Now". noise11. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
3. "Russell Morris 'The Real Thing Symphonic Concert' Is Now On DVD". noise11. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
4. "Russell Morris The Real Thing Symphonic Concert Pre-Orders Are Now Available". noise11. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
5. "2024 AIR Awards Nominees: Genesis Owusu, Cub Sport, RVG, Teen Jesus & More". The Music. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
6. "Russell Morris To Be Honoured With 'The Music, The Stories' 54-Piece Symphony Orchestra Concerts". The Music. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
7. "Why Russell Morris's massive symphonic record is way more than The Real Thing". Stack Magazine. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
8. "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.