My friend Quinton Randall dropped me a line last night to let me know that our friend Morell had passed away that morning. I don’t have further details at this time.
Morell popped into an old open mic I’d been running at a record shop in Catonsville about ten years ago and would appear here and there on the Baltimore music scene – always with a smile – usually in shorts. He strummed loud and true and his voice was projected with that TRUE sound you get from the Folk Revival of the 1960s. He sang beautifully optimistic songs and had a joy about him that made his moments of seriousness all the more intense – he spoke about right and wrong and how important it was to treat one another well. Throughout last year he’d been dangerously close to a regular at Teavolve, coming to share music about once a month throughout 2019 – but he was a welcome surprise at many open mics in the Baltimore scene – crossing paths at the Bolton Hill Open Mic, Marc Evans Acoustic Thursdays… the list goes on (and he was on the list!).
He wanted me to go to Brazil to play in a festival there because he believed in me. He believed in a lot of us, was always encouraging and he and his wife Catherine were often the glowing familiar faces in some of my most fish-out-of-water moments.
And yet it wasn’t until May of 2019 when he brought his high school friend Garret to play with him at Teavolve that I EVER found out Morell wasn’t his first name!
Arschell Morell, I’m grateful to have known you. I’m grateful that you came and shared with us and that you weren’t afraid of hugging people cause some nights that’s what gets you through. My heart goes out to his family. 2020 has been a very, very hard year for many and he deserved to see the light at the end of this tunnel.
As a side note : Chuck the Madd Ox’ post is probably written better – https://www.facebook.com/1571990741/videos/10221664832521398/
And has some beautiful comments with it as well.
I remember the many times Morell and I sat and talked guitars and music at Rob’s open mics. He was so full of optimism and encouragement. One of my favorite tunes he did was a cover of Richey Havens “Freedom” from Woodstock. Morell was a talented guitarist and singer in his own right but watching him perform “Freedom” would transport the audience to field in Bethal, New York circa 1969. Morell embodied that song and delivered a performance that will be the closest I’ll ever get to witnessing the magic of Woodstock. Thanks for the songs, Morell. You will be greatly missed.
I didn’t know him… But now through your words I feel like I did! And leave it to you to always have pictures! Rest in peace fine fellow And deepest sympathy to those of you who knew him well.
He’s definitely one of those souls that always stood out to me every time he popped up at Teavolve. There was a sense of history about him that you couldn’t forget. He’ll most certainly be missed.
Yes, i remember him well. We were in the Orchestra and Band too at Northwestern High. A very kind person with a smile. We had the same lunch period too. Rest peaceably gentle soul!
