By Daniel Warren Hill
“These violent delights have violent ends,” is a phrase that has been heard in recent years by those who have watched HBO’s 2016 -2020 adaptation of the 1973 movie, Westworld. And while the popular television series does indeed embellish on the complexities of relationships and the nature of cause and effect, it is more likely that multi-instrumentalist, producer, and recording artist Blake Morgan’s is more influenced by expert dramatist William Shakespeare’s use of the phrase in Romeo and Juliet.
Violent Delights is Morgan’s highly anticipated forthcoming album containing the second, and latest single, “My Love Is Waiting,” which was made available on all major platforms on February 3. Although it too explores the intricacies of love, it is a very different song than Marvin Gaye’s 1982 song with the same name. Morgan builds some tension in the song which helps to highlight the feeling of loved ones separated from one another. Lyrically, “My love is waiting for me” could easily be a metaphor for a state of being or state of mind as much as location, but in any event, the protagonist is claiming some responsibility for the time apart even while exhibiting the clear desire to be reunited.
“My Love Is Waiting” is anchored to this tension with a simple rhythmic piano until (spoilers) the narrative changes to “My wait is over,” during which the ensemble enters and the spirit of the track immediately lifts. Yet, even in those times of tension, the song is still uplifting and positive, potentially yielding a danceable moment for you and the one you may find yourself newly reunited with. I think this song would be inviting for fans of Elton John, Billy Joel, Keane, and anyone who admires a traditional piano still being featured significantly in a modern rock track.
There is a lot to admire about New York native Blake Morgan’s journey throughout his career in music, spanning from artist to entrepreneur to advocate. You can hear his talent in songwriting, arrangement, and performing in this song alone, but can also hear his producer talents displayed in his work with the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Lesley Gore, and others, and he represents his own work as well as others as founder and president of independent global music company ECR Music Group (Sony/Orchard) and speaks on his experiences through lectures delivered at The Georgetown University Law Center, American University, and his alma mater, Berklee College of Music.
We find ourselves in good company with the likes of The Washington Post and Billboard Magazine having the opportunity to share this diversely talented individual, whose commitment to all aspects of his craft over time has yielded recognition from fans, the industry, and members of the press. It would be in your best interest not to gauge your level of fandom to the structure and limitation of just one song, but if your interest is piqued after listening to “My Love is Waiting,” (below) then we recommend you explore the rest of Morgan’s library, including the leading single from Violent Delights, “Down Below Or Up Above,” a very different track that gives a sample of the versatility of influences exhibited by Blake Morgan’s body of work.
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Daniel Warren Hill is an American musician, writer, and motivational speaker. He is best known as the frontman for Washington DC area Alternative Rock band YellowTieGuy, as co-founder of Capitol Groove Collective, and increasing the exposure of artists on a global scale through his work with Alchemical Records.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
