On both first and subsequent listens to Morry Campbell's debut CD Long Way Home the first word that pops into this listener's head is "beautiful. " Long Way Home is, quite simply, a beautiful recording. Long Way Home's prevailing theme is, not surprisingly, distance. Distance between lovers at crossroads, the distance between dreams and reality, distance between groups pitted against one another. Using a wide and varied palette with which to paint his musical portrait, Morry's Long Way Home is a trip that is aurally vivid, thought-provoking, and thoroughly satisfying to the ears, mind and heart. The album opens with "Black And White" and Morry's message about how we separate ourselves from one another is succinct, direct and hits home on point. His voice, haunting, plaintive and direct, draws in the listener in this gem of a song that sets up the ensuing musical journey on which the listener has embarked. Next up is the title track, “Long, Long Way Home,” but the journey, with Morry at the helm, is a musical joyride, a pleasure to all the musical senses. The traditional "Leatherwing Bat" is Morry's own, his voice sly, wry, and compelling, and beautifully framed with acoustic and electric guitars and banjo rounding it out. In "Ace of Diamonds" Morry's muse takes him (and us) to "a house out on the sea, …form[ing] record company, win[ning] the lottery." Desire, hope and passion abound as he writes his "song of joy that the whole world can employ." Morry Campbell willingly shares his hope and dreams, to this listener's delight. [Note/ Disclaimer: this writer provided piano and keyboard tracks.] "Fly Fishing In My Head" is another standout. Throughout Long Way Home the listener is struck by the craftsmanship of Morry's words and music as well as the sensitivity and care of his performance, whether solo as in the bittersweet "You Conquered" or with full back up as in "On My Own." Throughout Long Way Home the ups and downs of life and love are vividly captured in living color. "I miss you, I miss you," Morry sings with a catch in his voice in "Bringing You Back Home." In "On My Own" our protagonist becomes unhinged at being rejected as he shouts to his ex: "I've stopped watching TV, it started talking back to me; it said that I was a fool to lose you." And then " I tried to change the channel, but you were on every station…always with a different guy…better looking than me". Who hasn't been there?! Long Way Home is expertly produced and mixed by both Morry and the multi-talented Robert Urban, who also provides wonderful support with guitars, effects, percussion, background vocals, and even sitar, which is used to wonderful effect in "Sleep In The Morning." Additionally, there are several nice cameo guest spots from Roger Kuhn, whose distinct baritone compliments Morry on the rocking' duet "Walking On Water", and additional back up from Katie Sawicki ("Long, Long Way Home") and NEKKED ("Just Another Dream"). Throughout Long Way Home, it is abundantly clear that Morry Campbell is his own man musically, and knows exactly what he wants to convey. Morry Campbell is an independent (indie) artist in the truest sense of the word . . . Enjoy! -Dan Manjovi, Musician/Recording Artist