Musician Russell Morris, a big name in the 1960s, had his latest songs rejected by major labels until the album was first played by ABC radio in Newcastle. Picture: Andy Drewitt Source: Herald Sun
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IT was the album every record label in Australia rejected.
Now heritage artist Russell Morris is enjoying the sweet revenge of success as his independent comeback album Sharkmouth climbs into the ARIA top 20 five months after its release.
The blues record brings infamous and legendary Australian characters from Squizzy Taylor to Phar Lap to life in song.
In an era of social media-led success, Sharkmouth has ironically found its champions in the old school club of AM talkback radio, independent record stores and the word-of-mouth generated by gigs.
The Real Thing singer had sent four songs out to every major label in Australia last year, hoping to find a home for his blues exploration of great Australian stories.
Just when Morris decided to go it alone, the independent label Ambition Entertainment, set up by former Warner Music executive Robert Rigby, decided to help him out.
"I hawked the songs around to every record company in Australia; they all passed saying they weren't interested so I finished the album myself, put it in a cardboard cover and started selling it at gigs so I could make my money back,'' Morris said.
"Then Robert Rigby heard it and he goes out there beating the drum.''
Morris believes the album has tapped into the renewed fascination for Australian stories of the last century, fuelled by the Underbelly series and small screen historical dramas.
"It's been surprising, to be totally honest, because everything I have done for the last 31 years has virtually sunk without a trace,'' he said.
"The blues community have welcomed me with open arms and it appears I am not the only history buff out there.''
Robert Rigby said Sharkmouth's success also shines a spotlight on the neglected baby boomer and adult contemporary markets which he has targetted with charting releases by Tina Arena and Michael Crawford.
While music radio stations won't play Sharkmouth, it has dominated the talkback programs and also received constant airings via instore play at independent retailers.
"The key to this has been people hearing it, liking it and then buying it. And most of the sales, about 80 to 90 per cent have been on CD,'' he said.
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