Morris Inspires Holiday Cheer

Country singer Gary Morris turned 50 just three weeks ago, and his beard is now mostly white, his hair silver. But worry not--judging by his adventurous, freewheeling concert Monday night at the Crazy Horse Steak House in Santa Ana, this Texan is hardly ready to join the oldies circuit.

Undoubtedly inspired by the presence on this tour of his 19-year-old son Matthew--who proved himself no slouch as a singer and acoustic guitarist--the elder Morris seems overcome by a restless spirit these days.

Throughout his Christmas-themed, 90-minute performance--the first of four shows Monday and tonight--he maintained a loose, unpredictable edge that yielded several rewarding musical side trips.

Anyone hoping for a comprehensive run-through of his hits may have been disappointed--only a stripped-down version of “The Wind Beneath My Wings” and an encore of “Bring Him Home,” which Morris sang on Broadway in “Les Miserables”--made it into his show.

Obviously Morris is looking ahead rather than behind.

He and his six-piece band favored several lesser-known but equally deserving selections, as well as solid new material, including a pair of songs written and sung by Matthew Morris. In fact, the teenager’s downright soulful performance of “No Mas Pretendo” from his forthcoming solo album was one of the evening’s highlights.

Another was the life-affirming “Shine,” written last year by Gary and Matthew. Addressing issues of faith and devotion, Gary sang with appealing tenderness: “You’re the only light that kept on burning / Even when I couldn’t feel the flame.”

Sonically the group could have used more spark. The sextet didn’t offer much beyond standard acoustic-based ornamentation, and at times, Carl Hergesell’s bland keyboard fills cluttered an otherwise appealingly sparse sound.

Still, few groups can match the band’s vocal firepower, which came forward as Morris generously shared the spotlight. In addition to the Morrises, three other band members took lead vocals, including bassist Chuck Glass for a stirring, blues-drenched take on “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

They also combined in exquisite four- and five-part harmonies that captured the bright mood of the holiday season, particularly during “O Holy Night,” “The First Noel” and “What Child Is This.”

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That still left plenty of room for Morris’ rich, distinctive tenor to work its magic. In the past, he occasionally has succumbed to diva-like over-singing, where the song’s meaning was overwhelmed by melodramatic bluster. Not so here--Morris relied more on nuance, color and timing to make an emotional impact.

His most impassioned vocal rang out on “My Son,” from his new holiday album “My Son, Your Christmas.” He said the song tells “The life of Christ from the perspective of Mary,” who is saddened over her son’s burden: “Teacher, prophet, Messiah, king / My son, my son / But I remember a little boy, whose laughter filled my world.”

Morris seems determined to keep his annual Christmas shows at the Crazy Horse fresh. He customarily invites song requests from the audience. Only he wasn’t quite prepared for a couple of them.

After shouts for “The Little Drummer Boy” and the Irish standard “Danny Boy” (don’t ask), Morris quipped, “OK, but it’ll have to be a medley called “Danny the Drummer Boy.” Later, a woman requested “Mary’s Song” (“Mary, Did You Know?”), which was sung by a surprised Hergesell because he was the only band member who knew the lyrics.

He may be another year older, but Morris’ joyous Christmas party is anything but old hat.