Chris Murphy - The Tinker's Dream

by Carl Bookstein

published: 25 / 2 / 2017

Label: Teahouse Records
Format: CD

Fine primarily instrumental from Los Angeles-based violinist Chris Murphy which explores Irish folk music

Review

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 Ponies
2 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