Chris Murphy - The Tinker's Dream
by Carl Bookstein
published: 25 / 2 / 2017
Label:
Teahouse Records
Format: CD
intro
Fine primarily instrumental from Los Angeles-based violinist Chris Murphy which explores Irish folk music
Virtuoso violinist, stage and recording musician, Chris Murphy was raised nearby to New York City. Murphy, also a multi instrumentalist, composer and music teacher now resides in Los Angeles. Murphy has collaborated with a celebrated cast of many artists across the music industry. He has composed and performed music for over thirty years. 'The Tinker’s Dream' is the third release of the last year. Murphy is known to write and record up to six albums in a year. He fuses styles and techniques for a unique fabric of world music. A gorgeous hum of a fiddle begins 'Connemara Ponies'. This is original Irish fiddle music- high and inspired. An evocative flute and penny whistle join in. 'Union of the Seven Brothers' also does not disappoint, with its rich instrumental tones - soothing and spiritedly Irish, bringing to mind Irish folk artists from the Chieftains to the Pogues. The title track 'The Tinker's Dream' is a good one, whimsical and again distinctively Irish. Flute, fiddle and mandolin create a sense of fantasy and play. 'Small Wonder' is a fine lyric and vocal by Murphy- an album highlight: “Just when I was thinking the world ain’t fair/How lucky am I that I found you out there… like a sea of stars… it’s a small wonder.” Another fine turn, 'The Tower'is a cascading instrumental, reaching ever heavenward. 'The Thistlewood Bridge” is enchanting and spirited with a folk flavor of Irish luck and magic- rich, resonant guitar, fiddle and mandolin- surging and upbeat. “The Hayloft Waltz” is the subtle, soulful closer of a solid set, 'The Tinker’s Dream”' inspired original Irish fiddle music, start to finish- a tasteful outing by Murphy and company.
Track Listing:-
1 Connemara Ponies2 Union of the Seven Brothers
3 The Tinker's Dream
4 Wicklow
5 Gibraltar 1988
6 Cape Horn
7 The Artful Dodger
8 Small Wonder
9 The Tower
10 Maritime Jig
11 The Thistlewood Bridge
12 The Hayloft Waltz
Band Links:-
http://chrismurphymusic.com/https://www.facebook.com/chrismurphymusic1/
soundcloud
reviews |
Red Mountain Blues (2016) |
Fine bluegrass, folk and old time fiddle music on rich acoustic album from New York songwriter and violinist Chris Murphy |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesPhilip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Jules Winchester - The Journey
Deep Purple - =1
Bill Wyman - Drive My Car
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart