Bluesmen make a red-hot duo

TWO of Australia’s most beloved bluesmen — Russell Morris and Chris Wilson — are joining forces for a show in Hobart next week.

Morris first shot to fame in the mid-‘60s with the band Somebody’s Image, who released the hit single Hush. Morris then topped the charts in 1969 with The Real Thing, and went on to write popular tunes like Sweet Sweet Love, Wings of an Eagle, Rachel and The Girl That I Love. He focused on lower-profile projects for many years, before starting an incredible comeback in 2012 with the release of his album Sharkmouth, the first in a trilogy of records based on the amazing stories that helped shape Australia. Sharkmouth became the highest-selling Australian album of the year, leading to Morris winning the ARIA Award for Best Blues and Roots Album.

In 2014 Van Diemen’s Land picked up where Sharkmouth left off, debuting at No. 4 on the ARIA Charts and landing Morris another ARIA Award nomination. The final chapter in the trilogy, Red Dirt — Red Heart, followed in 2015, hitting No. 1 on the ARIA Blues/Jazz Charts and winning Morris another Best Blues and Roots Album ARIA Award.

Chris Wilson, a talented multi-instrumentalist (harmonica, saxophone, guitar) is known for his work with the Sole Twisters, Harem Scarem, Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls, Crown of Thorns and Wilson Diesel, a 1996 collaboration with Johnny Diesel that spawned top-20 album Short Cool Ones.

Russell Morris and Chris Wilson play at Hobart’s Theatre Royal from 8pm Wednesday, October 25. Tickets are $69, go to theatreroyal.com.au or phone 62332299 for bookings.