Howard Morrison Quartet: Best of the Howard Morrison Quartet
Howard Morrison, son of All Black Tem Morrison, grew up in Rotorua. At the age of twenty he put together a vocal group, which included his brother Laurie, his cousin John, and a friend Gerry Merito. From their first recording session a single was released of Hoki Mai. Benny Levin toured the group on a nation wide tour and along the way Gerry Merito wrote Battle Of The Waikato which was a parody of Johnny Horton's Battle Of New Orleans. The track was recorded in 1959 and became the group's first major hit. Howard's brother and cousin were unable to commit to the tour so were replaced by Wi Wharekura and Noel Kingi, (a man with a huge bass voice) and the permanent quartet were ready to become the most popular family entertainers in New Zealand history. The group finally split in 1964 following a huge farewell tour. Sir Howard Morrison knighted for services to music passed away in 2010 at the age of 74.
1. a) Meet the Group b) Lonesome Road 2. a) You'll Never Walk Alone b) Just A Closer Walk With Thee 3. Deep In The Heart of Texas 4. a) Where Have All The Flowers Gone b) Get A Little Dirt On Your Hands c) Hoki Mai d) White Cliffs of Dover 5. a) Hawaiian Cowboy b) Home Sweet Home 6. a) Swing Low Sweet Chariot b) Old Man River 7. He Puti Puti Pai 8. a) Pa Mai b) Wimoweh c) I Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby 9. Mori the Hori (Ahab the Arab) 10. Velvet Waters 11. Shadrack 12. I Wanna Cut Your Hair (I Wanna Hold Your Hand) 13. a) When Was Jesus Born b) Old Time Religion 14. Fools Rush In 15. The Old Master Painter 16. a) Cottonfields b) Dinah 17. a) Underneath the Arches b) George the Wild(er) Boy c) Haere, Haere Ra E Hine 18. My Old Man's An All Black 19. Mexico 20. I Believe 21. Banana Boat Song 22. White Cliffs of Dover 23. Granada