Balaam and the Angel
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 in Cannock, England |
| Founder | Mark Morris, James (Jim) Morris, Desmond (Des) Morris |
| Headquarters | Cannock , England |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
| Website | www |
Balaam and the Angel is a rock ensemble from Cannock, England, formed in 1984 by the Morris siblings: Mark, James (Jim), and Desmond (Des).
Career
Originating from Motherwell, Scotland, the Morris brothers relocated to Cannock, Staffordshire, where they established Balaam and the Angel. Their early work consisted of self-produced EPs and the album Sun Family, released through their independent Chapter 22 label. They gained exposure by supporting The Cult on tour, which subsequently secured them a contract with Virgin Records. Under Virgin, their first album, The Greatest Story Ever Told, reached number 67 on the UK Albums Chart in August 1986. The band also toured across the United States alongside Kiss and labelmate Iggy Pop.
In 1988, Ian McKean, previously of Twenty Flight Rockers, joined as an additional guitarist—the group's first member outside the Morris family. Transitioning from a gothic rock style to a harder rock sound, they produced the albums Live Free or Die and Days of Madness before parting ways with Virgin Records. Their song "I'll Show You Something Special" was included in the soundtrack for Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
The release of Prime Time in 1993 did not achieve significant commercial success, resulting in a reduced presence in the music market.
Members
- Mark Morris – vocals, bass (1983–1989, 1991–present)
- Jim Morris – guitar, keyboards (1983–1989, 1991–present)
- Des Morris – drums (1983–1989, 1991–present)
- Karen Morris – keyboards (2019–present)
- Chris P Notes (Chris Williams) – keyboards (1994–2019)
- Ian McKean – guitar (1988–1989, 1991–1994)
Albums
| Release Year | Album Title |
|---|---|
| 1985 | Sun Family |
| 1986 | The Greatest Story Ever Told |
| 1988 | Live Free or Die |
| 1989 | Days of Madness |
| 1991 | No More Innocence |
| 1993 | Prime Time |
| 2019 | That's Not the Real World |
Compilation albums
| Release Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1987 | Young Virgins (includes "Light of the World") |
| 2002 | Sun Family |
EPs
| Release Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1984 | World of Light |
| 1985 | Love Me |
| 2024 | Forces of Evil |
Singles
| Release Year | Track |
|---|---|
| 1985 | "Day and Night" |
| 1986 | "She Knows" – UK chart position No. 70 |
| 1986 | "Slow Down" |
| 1986 | "Light of the World" |
| 1986 | "New Kind of Love" (exclusive to Australia) |
| 1987 | "I'll Show You Something Special" |
| 1987 | "I Love the Things You Do to Me" |
| 1988 | "Live Free or Die (Texas Redbeard Mix)" |
| 1989 | "I Took a Little" |
| 1990 | "A Little Bit of Love" |
| 1993 | "Shame on You" |