Mats/Morgan Band

**aith01** · 04-19-2015

Anyone here fans of these guys? I just "stumbled across them" -- or rather, I finally decided to check out one of their albums, after having read their names so many times online. Scooped up Thanks For Flying With Us on Amazon, and was quite frankly blown away. Holy cow, these guys are brilliant!

I had heard Morgan Agren in Kaipa before, but nothing prepared me for the quirky, aggressive fun of this music.

To be honest, I'm ashamed I haven't listened to them sooner. This CD has been on repeat in my car for the past week, and I just ordered their Live album from Wayside (along with Beija Flors Velho E Sujo by Sao Paulo Underground), as I've a feeling their back catalog will gradually find its way to my shelf sooner rather than later.

Any insights to share?

**Zeuhlmate** · 04-19-2015

You've got some nice listening hours ahead of you

Get their Live album ASAP ! And get awestruck - It doesn't get much more spectacular than this !
I am also very fond of 'The Music or the Money?' and '[SCHACK TATI ]'

**Phlakaton** · 04-19-2015

Oh holy shit they are probably in my top 5 bands all time. I LOVE everything. All of it. Get Morgan's Batterie Deluxe too. Awesome. Keep this thread alive... I can talk about them all day.

**Zeuhlmate** · 04-19-2015

Listen and buy:

https://morganagren.bandcamp.com/alb...ren-solo-debut

His drums can also be heard on the 2 albums with Fleshquartet - What's Your Pleasure? (1988) and Goodbye Sweden (1990) - both very good (actually their best IMO) !

**NogbadTheBad** · 04-19-2015

Only just starting to explore these guys, I've only got [schack tati] though I've heard lots of stuff over the last few years. I'll see them at RIO this year and will probably pick up another couple before then.

**Zeuhlmate** · 04-19-2015

Mats Morgan live fusion

**Zeuhlmate** · 04-19-2015

Best version of Jaco's The Chicken I have heard

**ytserush** · 04-19-2015

No insight. Just enjoy them. I do.

**Steve F.** · 04-19-2015

Originally Posted by Zeuhlmate

Best version of Jaco's The Chicken I have heard

OTTOMH, The Chicken is a Maceo Parker tune.

**Zeuhlmate** · 04-19-2015

You are right it isnt Jaco, and I had to look it up

- and according to http://secondhandsongs.com/performance/20831 The Chicken by Maceo Parker was written by Pee Wee Ellis and was first released by James Brown in 1969.

**Scrotum Scissor** · 04-19-2015

Morgan Ågren has also played with Simon Steensland, Raoul Björkenheim/Trevor Dunn/Ståle Storløkken in Box, Bill Laswell/Björkenheim in Blixt, Henry Kaiser/Trey Gunn, Finnegans Wake, Fleshquartet, The Tangent and many others.

His Mats/Morgan project still remains my fave of what he's done. Incredible drummer who essentially has it all; unspeakable chops, sensibility and creativity and versatility, and a fascinating ability to transcend the music he's in through a sheer presence of percussive finesse. One of the truly great drummers of our day and age.

**Sterbus** · 04-19-2015

Some background is useful too, you must absolutely read this, written by Morgan himself

http://www.morganagren.com/zappa/zappa1.asp

**Phlakaton** · 04-19-2015

This is from Japan not long ago... I am speechless on some it. Morgan is just an alien. Vinnie C and guys like him humble me every single time I try to play a fraction of their music and I've played drums since middle school and know all my rudiments. lol

**trondis23** · 04-20-2015

Little brother Jimmy Ågren is also worth checking out. http://www.jimmyagren.com . Morgan played in his live band. There is a free live DVD on his homepage. They also did a Captain Beefheart project together, with Denny Walley.

**Zeuhlmate** · 04-20-2015

This is absolutely awesome, Morgan on drums.

**trondis23** · 04-20-2015

By the way, I have a ticket for their concert on May 10th: http://jazzfest.no/event/mats-morgan-band/ I also saw them the last time they were here.

**Zeuhlmate** · 04-20-2015

Trondheim is to far away for me, and they have never played in Copenhagen, or Denmark.

**Phlakaton** · 04-20-2015

If I was on the continent - I'd be there. Sucks being in the states for music concerts... especially in Texas! Every once in a while I get some meat - Zappa next month at least! I miss being around NYC. Best time I ever had for musical journeys.

**Steve F.** · 04-20-2015

Mr. Phlaka Ton

Rob Mazurek / Black Cube SP (who are nothing like Mats/Morgan, except that they are also great) are in Austin. You should go.

April 30 - North Door - Austin, TX

**Phlakaton** · 04-20-2015

Originally Posted by Steve F.

Mr. Phlaka Ton

Rob Mazurek / Black Cube SP (who are nothing like Mats/Morgan, except that they are also great) are in Austin. You should go.

April 30 - North Door - Austin, TX

Already ahead of ya on that one. Thank you for the reminder, Steve! One of the best things I've seen here in Austin was The Claudia Quintet years ago. Wish they'd venture down here more.

**Steve F.** · 04-20-2015

Good! Take advantage of the opportunities presented, is my motto!

**Phlakaton** · 04-21-2015

Bump for my own pleasure... speaking of pleasure - Watch Me Pleasure is a pretty hot song.

**aplodon** · 04-21-2015

Originally Posted by Sterbus

Some background is useful too, you must absolutely read this, written by Morgan himself

http://www.morganagren.com/zappa/zappa1.asp

That's a great story. Especially nice to read since I was at that show in Stockholm. I had no idea about the background to their attendance, or what happened behind the scene, obviously.