Bliss (band)
Encyclopedia
Bliss are a pop group from Coventry, England.
s. Loveprayer failed to make an impact in the U.S. and the UK, but saw success in Europe, Brazil
, Australia
, and New Zealand
.
By the time they recorded their sophomore effort, 1991's A Change in the Weather, Tommy Schmeider had taken over on guitar and Michael Witzel on drums. A Change in the Weather was produced by Rupert Hine
and featured guest appearances from Paul Carrack
and Liam O'Maonlai from Hothouse Flowers
. Following this, the group toured with Van Morrison
, Chris Isaak
, and The Neville Brothers
. Soon after the release of A Change in the Weather, Morrison left the group to care for a newborn child. Ralphes moved to Brazil
to pursue a career in production.
Morrison and her husband (who performed as Tom E. Morrison) began touring together, with Rachel billing as a solo artist. Rachel and Tom then formed an electronica project called Meeker, which released several singles in 2000-2001. They toured under this name and their music was featured on soundtracks to movies like The Tuxedo
, Sparkle, and London to Brighton
.
After meeting up again with original band member Paul Ralphes in winter 2006, the idea to re-form Bliss took shape and the German record label Zounds
eventually released a "Best Of" album called Spirit Of Man in 2007. At the same time, the Bliss back-catalog of recordings done with EMI
was digitally released internationally.
Today, Bliss continue to perform with a new line-up consisting of Rachel Morrison (vocals), Tom E Morrison (guitars), Simon Peter (keyboards), Rob Tree (bass), Marc Layton-Bennett (drums/percussion). This line-up, under the Rachel Morrison solo name, recorded an album of covers in the fashionable "Celtic" style released under the title "The Celtic Woman" which also includes three tracks by others. The fifteen Morrison tracks range from versions of songs by Enya, The Cranberries and All About Eve to more "standard" covers of songs by Barbara Streisand, Dolly Parton and REM (!). The album has been released as one of a double CD set in 2008 called "Simply Celtic Moods" by Union Square Music (number SIMPLYCD209) and shows this singer's versatility to good effect.
Singles
Singles
Biography
Bliss was founded in 1986 by vocalist Rachel Morrison and bassist Paul Ralphes, who were the primary songwriters. Apart from the two founder members, the group also consisted of Paul Sirett (guitars), Chris Baker (drums) and Roger Askew (keyboard, piano, Hammond organ). In 1987 they released two singles on the label Survival, "I Hear You Call" and "Your Love Meant Everything". Between March and September 1988 the quintet recorded their debut album, Love Prayer, which was released through Parlophone/EMI in 1989 and which also featured a number of session musicianSession musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
s. Loveprayer failed to make an impact in the U.S. and the UK, but saw success in Europe, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
By the time they recorded their sophomore effort, 1991's A Change in the Weather, Tommy Schmeider had taken over on guitar and Michael Witzel on drums. A Change in the Weather was produced by Rupert Hine
Rupert Hine
Rupert Neville Hine is an English musician, songwriter and prolific record producer, having produced albums for artists including Kevin Ayers, Tina Turner, Howard Jones, Saga, The Fixx, Bob Geldof, Thompson Twins, Stevie Nicks, Chris de Burgh, Suzanne Vega, Rush, Underworld, Duncan Sheik, and ...
and featured guest appearances from Paul Carrack
Paul Carrack
Paul Carrack is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Carrack has been a member of several bands including Ace, Squeeze, Mike + The Mechanics, and Roxy Music, been a session and touring musician for several others including Nick Lowe, and has enjoyed success as a solo artist as well...
and Liam O'Maonlai from Hothouse Flowers
Hothouse Flowers
The Hothouse Flowers are an Irish rock group that combines traditional Irish music with influences from soul, gospel and rock.-Career:The group first formed in 1985 when Liam Ó Maonlaí and Fiachna Ó Braonáin began performing as street musicians, or buskers, on the streets of Dublin,Ireland as "The...
. Following this, the group toured with Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
, Chris Isaak
Chris Isaak
Christopher Joseph "Chris" Isaak is an American rock musician and occasional actor.-Early life:Isaak was born in Stockton, California, the son of Dorothy , a potato chip factory worker, and Joe Isaak, a forklift driver. Isaak's mother is Italian American, originating from Genoa...
, and The Neville Brothers
The Neville Brothers
The Neville Brothers, an American R&B and soul group, was formed in 1977 in New Orleans, Louisiana.-History:The group notion started in 1976, when the four brothers of the Neville family, Art , Charles , Aaron , and Cyril The Neville Brothers, an American R&B and soul group, was formed in 1977 in...
. Soon after the release of A Change in the Weather, Morrison left the group to care for a newborn child. Ralphes moved to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
to pursue a career in production.
Morrison and her husband (who performed as Tom E. Morrison) began touring together, with Rachel billing as a solo artist. Rachel and Tom then formed an electronica project called Meeker, which released several singles in 2000-2001. They toured under this name and their music was featured on soundtracks to movies like The Tuxedo
The Tuxedo
The Tuxedo is a 2002 American comedy-action film directed by Kevin Donovan and starring Jackie Chan and Jennifer Love Hewitt. It is a spy spoof that involves a special tuxedo that grants its wearer special abilities and a corporate terrorist threatening to poison the United States' fresh water...
, Sparkle, and London to Brighton
London to Brighton
London to Brighton is a 2006 award-winning British film. The film was written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams.-Plot:The film opens with a woman and child, Kelly and Joanne, bursting into a London toilet. Joanne is crying and Kelly has a black eye...
.
After meeting up again with original band member Paul Ralphes in winter 2006, the idea to re-form Bliss took shape and the German record label Zounds
Zounds
Zounds are an English anarchist band formed in 1977 from loose jamming sessions around the Reading area. Originally they were part of the cassette culture movement, releasing material on the F**k Off Records label, and were also involved in the squatting and free festival scene...
eventually released a "Best Of" album called Spirit Of Man in 2007. At the same time, the Bliss back-catalog of recordings done with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
was digitally released internationally.
Today, Bliss continue to perform with a new line-up consisting of Rachel Morrison (vocals), Tom E Morrison (guitars), Simon Peter (keyboards), Rob Tree (bass), Marc Layton-Bennett (drums/percussion). This line-up, under the Rachel Morrison solo name, recorded an album of covers in the fashionable "Celtic" style released under the title "The Celtic Woman" which also includes three tracks by others. The fifteen Morrison tracks range from versions of songs by Enya, The Cranberries and All About Eve to more "standard" covers of songs by Barbara Streisand, Dolly Parton and REM (!). The album has been released as one of a double CD set in 2008 called "Simply Celtic Moods" by Union Square Music (number SIMPLYCD209) and shows this singer's versatility to good effect.
Members
- Rachel Morrison - vocals
- Paul Ralphes - bass
- Chris Baker - drums
- Paul Sirett - guitar
- Roger Askew - Hammond organHammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
- Tommy Schmeider - guitar
- Michael Witzel - drums
Bliss
Albums- Loveprayer (Parlophone, 1989)
- A Change in the Weather (Parlophone, 1991)
- My World Your World (India Records, 2009)
Singles
- "I Hear You Call" – January 1989
- "Won't Let Go" – April 1989
- "How Does it Feel the Morning After" – July 1989
- "Watching Over Me" – March 1991
- "Crash Into the Ocean" - June 1991
- "I Don't Want to Hurry" – September 1991
Rachel Morrison (solo)
Albums- Live at Phoenix (CD album) - 1993 (World of Music)
- Rachel Morrison (Live – CD album) – 1995 (Anderland/Rough Trade)
- yeah! (E.P.) - January 1996 (World of Music)
- Liberty (CD studio album) – 1998 (BMG/Ariola)
- The Celtic Woman (15 tracks of 18 in total, 3 by other artists - see above) - 2007 (Union Square)
Singles
- "The Sun Won't Come Down" (CD single) - 1998 (BMG/Ariola)
- "Hey Now (Everything's Gonna Be Alright)" (CD single) - 1998 (BMG/Ariola)
Meeker
Singles- "Save Me" - 2000 (Underwater)
- "Mountains" - March 2001 (Underwater)
- "Let's Come Together" - Autumn 2001 (Underwater)