Working with Lucinda Williams -Gurf Morlix

Gurf Morlix talks about producing records and touring with Lucinda Williams.
www.gurfmorlix.com/
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[@otisgibbs]

Check out Gurf's new record and tell him Otis sent ya! www.gurfmorlix.com/

[@1999zrx1100]

Just reading Lucinda’s latest book, Don’t Tell Anybody The Secrets I Tell You, she talks fondly of Gurf, nice to see the man talking about the good old days. Life is flashing by, hope these dear friends can find the time for each other. 🙏

[@brbertram]

Saw him in 90 or 91 with Lucinda in Wichita KS at the Coyote Club n front of maybe 50 people. The opening act was Blue Rodeo. To this day everyone that was there with me says it was the greatest musical evening they’ve ever had.

[@captainpetefarrell1]

well IMHO she is one of the greatest songwriters. her songs go right to your heart and soul. i guess passionate kisses is when I finally was aware of her immense talent. I could listen to her for hours and hours. she gets the human condition like no other.

[@TheZeekgeek1]

I just got done reading Lucinda’s autobiography. She wrote that sadly the hard feelings have never been resolved with Gurf Morlix.

[@backdoorarts5243]

My band opened for Lucinda on that first tour in Philly. Got to hang out with them a bit afterward and they were just the nicest people. They were headed to Boston next and I remember the weather was miserable. I'll never forget when Gurf walked up on stage as we were finishing sound check, looks at my Jazz Bass with EMG pickups and says, "What are you doing with them hot rock pickups in there?!" Ever since the first disc I've loved "The Nights Too Long" and I break into it every time someone mentions Beaumont.

[@David_Richard_241]

I'm not usually a commentor. I've got a few years on you. And I really don't know as much as I should about your history. But I always watch your videos. I have been really tuned in since Ray Wylie Hubbard has been featured so much recently. Who else is going to publish videos about Lucinda Williams (sigh....) Joe Pug. Justin Townes. John Prine. Blaze Foley. Among others. I find your Indiana morning coffee videos to be a very needed and comforting departure because sometimes I's having coffee at the same time. Thank you for your videos and the "crossing boundaries" artists you feature and talk about. I am a great lover of the "random." Don't change a thing.

[@turmelmark]

Car Wheels on a Gravel Road and World without Tears. Both those records and every song ! Lucinda always has the most amazing guitar players; seeing them live is also an amazing experience. I got into Lucinda after hearing Steve Earle's song ''You're Still Standing There'', around '97. Maybe that's also a favorite. Thanks, Otis.

[@michaelahern3006]

That’s is exactly how I discovered her!

[@dimbulb5549]

Gurf is quite the gentleman. Fielded a fan inquiry from me, not knowing me from Adam, and took the time to reply. I had looked up his email somehow and asked about the slide guitar on Hot Blood, saying it sounded to me like a beer bottle on a Danelectro. He confirmed the beer bottle but corrected me on the guitar, saying it was a Rickenbacker (I suspect one of those bottom-of-the-line ones with the funkier shapes, not the more well-known models). I was real pleased to get the inside line on that and get a mental image of that Rickenbacker and beer bottle every time I hear the song.

[@aksourdough4890]

Heard the Rough Trade album one night on KVMR in Nevada City when DJ played the whole thing. By the second track I was stunned at what I was hearing. Got to see the band at Palms in Davis not too long after. About 50 people. Magical night. Those first two albums w Gurf are incredible. Peak Lucinda for me. Lake Charles and Passionate Kisses.

[@chrisfriedrich6830]

I agree. They might have spoiled me for the next two albums, which would be career highlights for anyone else. I saw her with Gurf and the band he describes around 1990 or 1991 at Max's on Broadway in Baltimore and have been a lifelong fan ever since.

[@brianfrost2695]

I love Lucinda. Thank you for helping Lucinda get there!

[@amosperrine1909]

I first saw Lu in an Austin bar, Spring 1986 where did solo pretty much the entire Rough Trade album. It took 2 1/2 years for me to hear the record, many thanks to everyone who put it together.

[@kent2360]

Kevin Gordons Down to the Well with Lucinda was and is a classic track.

[@bruceterrell9287]

I saw Gurf playing with Luchinda at the Birchmere in Alexandria VA in the early 90s. Great show and I've been a fan of his since. He played a 2 pickup Danelectro Hawk.

[@funwithFred]

Love her. And love James Brown. Saw him live in the 80's......and no one sat down, no one. Such a lightening bolt of electricity, he is. Love your stories on this channel, Otis. And thanks for sharing your stories, Gurf.

[@bobooten]

Lucinda with Gurf Morlix is my favorite Lucinda.

[@JayAr709]

Correct.✅

[@Caperhere]

Gotta say, aside from his amazing life stories, I love that white kitchen behind him.😊 A musician friend came to our house one day, all exited. He had a Lucinda tape, loved her. He turned me on to so many good musicians, including Alison Krause, and John Prine, Richard Shindell. I can’t remember them all. And there have been so many more Otis has turned me on to so many more. Thank you guys.

[@tonysloggett106]

well I sure liked the Gurf Morlix mix of Car wheels..more of a on the porch front feel. I really like the guitar tone that Gurf always seems to find..

[@WildwoodSon]

I think I was at the City Stages festival in Birmingham where Lucinda and James Brown played; This was the early 90's, IIRC, and I went to see Norman Blake, 3-Mustaphas-3 and David Grisman Quintet. I regret not seeing Lucinda's set. At the time I had no idea how good her music was.

[@markmcdonald5711]

Iris DeMent played there too on a small side stage, great festival.

[@cchaffincc]

I just read (devoured) Lucinda’s book. Love her more than ever!

[@doughill8475]

Such a pleasure to hear Gurf's stories. Thank you!

[@imannonymous7707]

I'd rather watch this channel than read guitar mag articles this was great

[@bryanheidtman2476]

loved the 2 Gram Parsons tunes she did on that tribute DVD some years back. "take me down to your dancefloor" the sound on that is really great!

[@josephpeter2000]

So good to hear you talk about those years, absolutely loved your guitar solos and style - thanks for sharing

[@zendixie]

I met Gurf at a house concert in Columbia SC several years ago. At the time he was playing an Art and Lutherie parlor guitar and I had one too. I think we talked about that and Lucinda. A very nice dude.

[@stevewight6563]

Many years ago, working on a record in a Nashville studio called The Combine, I saw in the men's room the single best piece of graffiti I've ever seen to this day. It simply said, "Will Rogers never met Larry Gatlin."

[@iused2BAfireman]

Great to hear Gurf stories...usually get to see him perform at the Sportsmens in Buffalo.Always great other Lucinda and Blaze stories.

[@joyceb.sachsesachse1242]

OTIS, thanks for this interview with him and talking about Lucinda Williams , another tortured artist that plays and tells truth of life in words. GURF LOVE YA LIVING LEGEND.

[@musiccitymadness3187]

Reading Lucinda’s new book now, I could listen to these stories all day. Thank you!

[@donmcallister3745]

Cool stories… saw Lucinda… twice … great shows…👌 I’ve been listening to … “ Blue “ and “ I Envy The Wind “… a lot lately… two absolutely beautiful songs… wishing Lucinda… good health…🌻💐🌻 hope she’s feeling well…

[@randyman38901]

I sat within feet of Lucinda at the bluebird in Nashville not long after passionate kisses came out. She said and seemed nervous about playing in the round with Rodney Crowell, who was really hot at the time. I realized that she was something special, and have been a fan ever since.

[@brianmccowan1949]

Gurf's guitar playing and tone on the Sweet Old World album are just magical. Listen to the song Something About What Happens When We Talk - both the intro and the solo break are just so perfect. I saw them perform in support of that album and on stage Gurf was just as impressive. I've been following his guitar work ever since. Twas a shame that the two struggled so over Car Wheels.

[@simonshaw1631]

There is a song off Essence LP called "I envy the wind" that's special, anything off her self titled album. There are so many, my favorite female singer/songwriter ever. Hello from Australia Otis love your stories

[@andrewfleming3339]

LOVE Gurf. Thank you for this!

[@losttango]

I saw Gurf in Amsterdam at a film festival, introducing a documentary about Blaze Foley and playing some of his songs. Really impressive acoustic set. My partner and I went to a restaurant afterwards and who should walk in a few minutes later but Gurf and a few friends. I wanted to ask him about Lucinda Williams (“Drunken Angel” on “Car Wheels...” is about Blaze) but was anxious about maybe touching a nerve, on top of my natural shyness. I still think Lucinda did her best work when Gurf was playing guitar in her band.

[@davidchappell8407]

Thank you Gurf ! For your Music and insightful Stories !

[@hearpalhere]

Great stories, thank you for sharing!

[@JimDavidson-FingerpickinGood]

In the late 70s, I had a small guitar shop in Houston at the corner of West Gray and Montrose, four blocks or so from Anderson Fair. I also lived several blocks from Anderson Fair and used to frequent it 2 or 3 times a week. Sometimes I ate lunch there. I saw Lucinda many, many times and sometimes I was one of maybe five people in the audience. My favorite part was her then closing trademark tune, 'Fishin' Blues.' Of course, this was long before Lucinda really gained any fame and I saw numerous folks there long before they became well-known: Nanci Griffith, Blaze Foley, Lyle Lovett, Don Sanders, etc. Don and I became good friends and he was a frequent visitor to my store and each other's houses. Those were honest music days for sure.

[@mikes9759]

Always a great story from you guys!! I wish I could still get out to see shows, but I'm not really sure who I really want to see anymore!! Ha Ha Ha! Take care guys!! Stay in toon!!

[@donny_doyle]

Raji's!!! Played there several times - LA, early 90's... would have loved seeing tbis band- that's awesome.

[@andrewwalker9216]

“Win a lottery to go to a national park”-classic gurf!!!

[@williampitzer5534]

Lol,you need to make reservations to camp and gain entry into Glacier Nat'l park.😂

[@arlingtonhynes]

Great songs, great singer, great drummer - easy!

[@jonstern7511]

I bought that Rough Trade album as soon as it came out (must have heard a track on a UK radio station - John Peel or Andy Kershaw or someone). I loved the album, and that one of earlier tracks that was released shortly afterwards. Saw Lucinda with Gurf at (I think) what was then called The Town and Country Club 2 (the smaller one of two excellent standing venues) and it was a decent gig. I was very much into rootsy country muvic at the time and loved Gurfs twangy guitar playing at time. The track Price to Pay really sticks in my mind for that. Am pleased it was a Brit Punk label that gave Lucinda her break. The great thing about punk was it was very open to anyone new who was direct and not too high faluting. Joe Ely was of course helped also by his patronage and association with The Clash

[@carlosford1226]

Favorite Lucinda song: Lake Charles. And thanks for the Miller Williams to Lucinda Williams to Tom T. Hall connection. Love me some Tom T. and wish I could have met the man to say hello and thank you. People dismiss him over some of his mainstream weaker stuff but at his best he was as good and 'dark' as anybody and I'll stand on the late great Harlan Howard's coffee table in my tennis shoes and say as much.

[@davidkral7317]

Enjoyed hearing your stories!

[@JohnSmith-we5lf]

What a great moment in time yo be a part of.

[@joannabreaks435]

I love these stories Gurf and I feel you on the post covid rut thank you so much

[@hotlov72]

Here in Saskatchewan, I've only seen one Williams in concert at the Regina Folk Festival on her last tour in the late 90's or early 2000's I seen Victoria Williams and it was outside I was beside a tree and people kept leaving during her show because there was storm.coming in and the wind was getting worse it was close to midnight but it didn't rain

[@larryholland7192]

Great interview!!

[@yearisadaymusicblog5029]

I saw Lucinda and Gurf at Bogart's in Cincinnatti 1993. I remember the rhythm section were younger guys dressed as Clockwork Orange droogs.

[@mjjames2442]

Amazing interview.

[@robertlukens734]

I'd love to know the background regarding Gurf's song "Dan Blocker". Only us geezers would even know what it's about but it's a classic.

[@brianwood7237]

Hey my mom loved Ole Hoss...she cried when he died when I was just a young kid

[@thomasborger6548]

Hoss was a co owner of Blocker Drilling, rigs that drilled for oil and gas. There were a few of them up here in northern Alberta

[@dangoodman9951]

l decided to play Lucinda more last year it was a good year

[@julesotis13]

whew glad he back pedaled on Tom T...i was getting qworried lol

[@mark.mahorney]

Saw Ray Wylie at Red Rocks a few days ago. Said it was his first time there. Whitey Morgan was next up, did how I got to Memphis tom t cover

[@Ultralexander300]

Love them both so much

[@Tommyplanet]

Donald Lindley awesome drummer no doubt 🤯

[@jkris2361]

Just thinking of James Brown puts a smile on my face….

[@tomcooley3778]

Me too.

[@sayeager5559]

Lucinda and Victoria Williams on the same stage is one of my dream concerts.

[@SeeCSeesCC]

❤wonderful Otis

[@billwhitlatch961]

Happy Woman Blues and Ramblin on my Mind

[@markmcdonald5711]

I have that Folkways record.

[@raysmusic49]

Great interview! 2 keywords for a musician….Free Meal.

[@CaliHawk03]

I hope it isn't a "retirement." Gurf is better than ever and I'd love to see him live.

[@catheryndenton1766]

Birmingham Festival… I’ll bet it was City Stages. Great shows !!!

[@user-xw2it9ty5n]

I wanna c lucinda before its to late.

[@steves6214]

Are there any interesting stories about Bo Ramsey. I know he worked with Lucinda on an album or two. Saw him in her band at First Avenue in Minneapolis and also ran into the two of them in the crowd at a show at the Turf Club in St Paul when she was recording in Minneapolis. Really like Bo's music. He has a few great albums.

[@douglove2412]

Sure hope Gurf fires it up again soon! He’s incredible.

[@Barry101er]

Superb

[@jammininthepast]

Good reflective interview. Thanks much, appreciated. Who's cooler than Brother James Brown? That's right, nobody.

[@tomcooley3778]

Hardest working mam in show business !

[@larswetterstrom7209]

Nice humble guy guy really.

[@danteramone5790]

I like the ‘Gurf’ Car Wheels

[@Lowtech14]

Saw Lucinda w Gurf on guitar a couple times, great shows. Glad his story abt Tom T Hall ended well.. Tom T’s early songs are unique, uniquely plain spoken, and amazing. Gurf’s right abt the later material tho’

[@collinssims5784]

“Protection”… great song, imho

[@otisgibbs]

What's your favorite Lucinda song?

[@reaganwiles_art]

Anything from Car Wheels....

[@wilcojunkie]

Probably Sweet Old World or Pineola. Or Greenville. LOL. OK that's a tough one.

[@funwithFred]

Love her. And currently resonating with "Protection". Glad to have seen her live a few times.......

[@beekeeperzo]

"Side of the Road", "Crescent City", "Pineola", I'll end up listing her whole catalog. She can tell a story, evoke emotions, and paint a picture of joy or sadness. Her voice is unique and integral to the songs, making it hard to imitate and never emulate her presentation.

[@mrchildgrownold3852]

World without tears

[@davidayers8394]

That was before WDVX in Knoxville. It is a great music city now, in no small part do to Tony Lawson and WDVW.

[@davidayers8394]

WDVX...

[@donaldemeyer]

Lu is the best! An American treasure.

[@davidayers8394]

And, of course, Ella Gurus!

[@blucheer8743]

I always thought Gurf changed the guitar sound of C+W music with the tone and sound he got on “car tires on a gravel road”. After that album the “Nashville sound” changed

[@tonydeaton1967]

Could someone tell what the problem was with Larry Gatlin?

[@BST501]

❤

[@yellowtruckproductions7502]

Gurf!

[@revon0521]

Maxwell's in Hoboken. Crowded, smokey, loud af; Gurf played slide with a beer bottle. Damn, that was a show.

[@williampitzer5534]

👍

[@bruinsfan8278]

Whats up with Larry Gatlin ?

[@stonephilips9361]

Heard it didn’t end well for these 2 🤔Maybe they’ve patched things up since then💯

[@rolandjgutierrez7737]

Man this Katt is a Pro with wow factor 100% A wannabe guitar player can learn a lot with Gurf what an awesome person..RocknRollFlat5

[@MrFrogman54]

What a life,,,,,,

[@petersheely7246]

👌👌😉

[@dalehamon4295]

I always thought Tom T Hall was great “The Story Teller” ❤

[@bglrj]

I love his admitting that he didn't like Tom T. Hall. I can't imagine not liking Tom. That's like not liking apple pie. But I guess some people don't like Tom or apple pie. Also loved the reference to the band Clover. Used to go dancing to them in Emeryville. Amazing band. Elvis Costello realized that.

[@scotthd2841]

A poignant statement, “I don’t see these things ‘till I look back at them”. A lot to chew on in that sentence.

[@johndeere8594]

A music critic wrote that Tom T Halls latest record sounded like a third grader wrote it. Tom T responded….. Thank You.

[@julesotis13]

when Gurf said the Williams Brothes I thoguth of James Brown.....before the airplane sotry ...cuz of James known connection to the exuebrantly balck pride Williams Brothers and also from the infmaous hysterial slightly sad clip of the 80s james brown interviwn usually labeleld drunk or high with some akward stiff generic white 80s interview lady and a hyserial but indeed not osber jame brown in the extendec ut he mentions their magazine and can harrdl pronounce the williams brothers tho to be fair i trp on words oto anyhooo as ever thanks brother otis

[@andrewcannon8561]

🤣. “…and next week we’ll have Brother Teddy Turner and…and, The Williams Brothers! Where ya at Teddy?!…” The stuff of LEGEND haha; I thought the exact same thing. A timeless quote me and my wife use at opportune times 😂

[@julesotis13]

@@andrewcannon8561 you and your wife are winners

[@stevenestes719]

Ah…. the Gatlin brothers weren’t bad. They wrote most all of their hits and sang some great close harmony. I still like all the gold in California.

[@JohnMiller-mt7sw]

Wow how could anyone knock Tom T Halls songs

[@rubodelic]

Steal your love should have been a hit

[@jeannotdujardin6126]

Inconnue in France...sorry... Cover Rolling Stones?

[@MB-mh6xv]

The first time I saw her in the early 90’s she made the audience wait two hours, when she finally came on stage she blamed the wait on the time change, the problem was it was spring… you know spring forward, fall back, so to use her excuse, she was actually three hours late. She was effusive in her explanation it was because of the time change. A friend of mine saw her in Seattle two nights later and… yup same lateness and same reason. I personally lost all respect in her as a performer.

[@renodavid]

Wow, I didn’t know this was a common theme with Lucinda. She played a show here in Reno, and she was at least an hour late taking the stage. The opening act played, and then we just waited and waited and waited. Finally the band came on and she muttered something about being surprised people were concerned because “Reno’s a 24-hour town, right?”. The problem was that it was an outdoor venue and the venue had an agreement with the neighbors that the shows had to end at, I believe, 10 pm. So, unfortunately, there was only enough time for about a 40-minute set. She sounded great, but… She hasn’t been back to Reno since, and this was years ago.

[@greg54444]

I'm guessing Gurf didn't like Sneaky Snake.

[@ryandavids1129]

Interesting story. Obviously I don't know her personally, but for whatever reasons, i just never could get into her music.