Dr. Morpheus

"The Adventures of Dr. Morpheus," is an unreleased collection of 12 songs recorded in 2008 at John Keane Studios, Athens, GA. Nine are original, never-before recorded tunes. Many may be heard on this page and through the links section. Here's the rundown:

You and Your Lover are Through (music and lyrics by Owen Scott, III). Written for the Zambo Flirts c. 1973, this hard-rocker should have been our breakthrough single but Fortuna spun her wheel a little too hard.

Come on (c. early 80's; music and lyrics by Owen Scott, III): A laid-back, Caribbean flavored version of the Bo Diddley rhythm with lyrics reminiscent of Jim Morrison ;

The Gods in the Basement (written late 70's; music and lyrics by Owen Scott, III): A hard rock shuffle blues, again with dark Morrisonian lyrics;

The Man with 7 Powers (2006, music and lyrics by Owen Scott, III): The ultimate in mojo man macho strut with insinuating lead guitar by yours truly;

Murder USA (music by Chuck Berry; new lyrics by Owen Scott, III): Unlike the Beach Boys, when I ripoff a master, I give credit where its due. If you can play rock & roll better than this, your name is either Mick or Keith. No coincidence that the tune was written in 2006 for an imaginary Rolling Stones concert taking place in Owen's unpublished novel, Double-take: A post 60's adventure.

The Road Only Passes One Way (music and lyrics by Owen Scott, III): This song happened unexpectedly on Super Bowl Sunday 2007 when I was fooling around with my guitar in my bedroom. The arrangement reflects what I learned from repeatedly listening to early Beatles songs back in 1964-65.

Don't Mess with Jesus (music and lyrics by Owen Scott, III): Another one written in 2006 for my novel. Dennis White's guitar, Randall Bramblett's organ, and background vocal by the Choir Girls (Elvira McQueen and Joyce Bramblett) make this joyous, R&B gospel recording special.

Steppin' Out (James Bracken): Check out link to YouTube video below. I first heard this instrumental, a minor key shuffle, on the LP John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton around 1968 or 69. The Zambo Flirts played it as a break song back in the day. This version was recorded on December 12, 2008 in two takes with Elvira McQueen on bass and Mr. Kudzu on drums. I replaced the freestyle solos (three verses) in one more take and John Keane did the rest.

Big Legs, Tight Skirt (John Lee Hooker): YouTube link is below this section. I nearly got into a fistfight with a guy I was trying to start a band with when he asserted that this song was boring because it only had one chord (it has 2) and it didn't go anywhere. If a guy can't appreciate the genius of John Lee Hooker, he doesn't have any business playing the blues. Done in one take on 12/12/08.

Running Backwards (music and lyrics by Owen Scott, III): An edgy folk-rock ballad, written around 1973 and performed by the Zambo Flirts. I was an angry young man at the time- some days, I'm still an angry young man.

The Stumble (Freddie King). Another Zambo Flirts break song. Ike Turner ripped this one off on an LP of blues songs he and Tina put out in the late 60's. I later discovered the original was by the Texas Cannonball, the late, great Freddie King, a guy who was no less a blue's King than B.B. or Albert. This track gave Owen a chance to do something that used to be a regular feature of Chain Reaction gigs c. 1972, long episodes of trading off solos with Dennis White, the best guitarist Owen ever played with and one of the best he's ever heard. Dennis and Owen even let Drew Pathwick and Cal Hale have brief solo turns between our endless rounds of one-upsmanship.

The Outsider (music and lyrics by Owen Scott, III): A wistful folk rock anthem on the classic theme of passing through life as a stranger in a strange land. Written a long time ago (c. 1975) on the family piano and it sat around in a notebook for many years until Owen finally got the chance to record it.