In the late '70s, Brantford native Scott Merritt left his garage band started performing around London, Ontario coffee houses as an acoustic folk artist in the tradition of Tom Rush and Jackson Browne. By the '80s the guitar/dulcimer/mandolin player was upstaging headliners at gigs, but commercial success was elusive as his first two indie albums, 'Desperate Cosmetics' (produced on a budget of $8,000 by Daniel Lanois) and 'Serious Interference', stalled at the cash register.
Duke Street Records, however, took notice and re-issued the Greg Roberts produced 'Serious Interference' in early 1986 and launched the first single/video called "Transistor" to critical acclaim.
Merritt's second Duke Street release, the Roma Baran (Laurie Anderson) produced 'Gravity Is Mutual', placed at #95 on Q107's Top 107 Albums of 1986. The album produced the video/radio hit "Overworked And Underprivileged".
'Gravity' featured a solid backing line-up of Bob Diselle (drums), Doug Wilde (keyboards), David Woodhead (bass) and Matt Zimbel (percussion). Special guest musicians included Adrian Belew and David Van Tiegham.
In 1990 Merritt moved to IRS Records and recorded 'Violet & Black' which was produced in Toronto, New York, and California by Frank Zappa bandmate Arthur Barrow. Following the release of the album Merritt did an opening slot on tour with Jane Siberry.
Merritt would later make a name for himself as a producer particulary for Fred Eaglesmith's '50 Odd Dollars'. He released 'The Detour Home' in 2004 and has made several live appearances in Toronto in recent years. Merritt is now based in Guelph, Ontario
with notes from Carl Gambacort.
Singles
1986 Transistor (Duke Street)
1986 Overworked And Underprivileged (Duke Street)
Albums
1979 Desperate Cosmetics (Little Jona Music)
1983 Serious Interference (indie)
1986 Serious Interference [re-issue](Duke Street/MCA)
1986 Gravity Is Mutual (Duke Street/MCA)
1990 Violet And Black (IRS)
2004 The Detour Home (Universal)
Video
1986 Transistor
1986 Overworked And Underprivileged
Compilation Tracks
Submit corrections, additions and feedback
