Richard Murray: Press

About 30 years ago Richard Murray was born in Northern Ireland. After a few other ventures he arrived in London where he has played all sorts of musical roles, from session musician to producer to finally end up at the point where, full of zeal and courage, he has recorded and released his debut CD Desert Wind. At the same time he plays bass with the group of English singer Eden James. His album has quite a diverse sound, from acoustic ballads to bluegrass to upbeat country rock whereby he displays his outstanding abilities with song and soulful sound. You won't find any complex songs but a great musical variety in the 13 songs on Desert Wind. All the songs stem from his inspiration and writing talent. Musically he is supported on the record by The Pickers, and special mention must go to the outstanding vocals of Mandie Barnett, who supports Richard vocally on a few numbers. This record is infused with a fair chunk of Nashville but also pure Americana. Murray himself plays guitar, mandolin, harmonica and percussion on this CD, which earns him the tile of multi-instrumentalist. The CD, over 60 minutes long, begins with the strong and swinging Mexicana rock song Forgive Me Sera, on which the insistent pedal steel of John Davis keeps the tempo high. The same goes for Thinking of Christina and the straight county rock songs I'll Never Learn and DT's Roadhouse Shake, which have a Spingsteen-esque undertone. Bluegrass forms the basis of the song 1931. Enlighten Me, Blueberry Wine and Down In This Town are quiet ballads, as is the 7 minute plus Burning Silver... The Wind and The Rain is a superb song in pure Nebraska style. With pleasure I give 8 / 10 to Richard Murray's debut album Desert Wind. Hopefully he'll be satisfied enough with that, and quickly be spurred on to begin work on a follow up.

Western Roots

Originally from Northern Ireland, found now around the rain-driven streets of North London, but with a heart in hardcore country territory and a mind brimming with Western images, Richard has a sound to match his choice of music. Forgive Me Sera ensures all the right elements are in place – crisp guitars and snare, keen lead vocal and sumptuous pedal steel – all topped off with top drawer harmonies and finely timed modulation. Steve Earle-style mandolin rhythm arises in the bluegrass working mans blues of 1931 and serves to remind of country's roots beyond the lost loves and suburban values of much modern Nashville fare. There is always room for more homegrown country acts and Richard is an artist capable of lining up in a bar alongside the current crop from across the Atlantic.

Richard Murray, a singer / songwriter born in NI and living in London, has, with Desert Wind, delivered an American sounding album that couldn't be more American if it wanted to. What sparse information there is on Murray indicates that till now he has worked mostly as a session musician for a diverse range of bands, but has also gathered songwriting and production experience.

Desert Wind is his first solo project, in which he naturally takes on the composing, production and playing of different instruments himself, complemented in a relatively small part by his supporting musicians. With 13 songs and a running time of almost 70 minutes, the CD covers a broad range.

What you get is a very appealing mix of Country (with occasional subtle bluegrass touches and light Tex-Mex flair), sparsely accompanied recitals (generally supported by acoustic guitar), slightly rootsy Singer/Songwriter material (with occasional Story Teller ambitions), but also a few unexpected rockier songs thrown in - and all supported by beautiful melodies. Hal Ketchum and Del Amitri are approximate signposts, but the whole thing plays out between these in the broadest sense.

Murray knows above all how to score points with his incredible dulcet flowing voice, which sounds very American and reminds me of John Kilzer, but also plays excellent acoustic and electric guitar as well as mandolin. An occassional mouth organ trails off in one or 2 songs, but the always subtle and well suited female harmonies of Mandie Barnett are excellent.

My favourites on this continuously relaxed sounding record are the country-esque Forgive Me Sera (with a light Tex-Mex flair, steel guitar and mandolin); the breezily arranged I'll Never Learn (almost a little mainstream country; electric guitar, organ fills, steel, very catchy); Burning Silver, with its piano underlay that recalls Bruce Hornsby, and long electric guitar passage; the melodic Midnight Oil (jaunty acoustic guitar, electric guitar fills, beautiful harmonica solo and changes of tone); and the rocking Valley of the Unforgiven (excellent electric guitar solo).

And shortly before the end Richard shakes things up with DTs Roadhouse Shake, a furious rhythmic country rocker with screeching harmonica and thrumping piano up its sleeve that even Dan Baird couldn't have played better.

All in all I have been very pleasantly surprised by Richard Murray, a complete unknown to me up to now. The CD's appearance fits well with the title, all earthy greys, greens and blacks, and all lyrics are included.

Richard Murray is without doubt the most American Northern Irish man that I have musically encountered so far. From my point of view, a very highly recommended musician.

The Northern Irish first-timer Richard Murray, almost in his early 30s, has delivered a mighty calling card with his debut "Desert Wind". His voice, his songs and his musical intpretations of them are simply impressive. First and foremost is his simply glorious raw-husky-tender delivery, which from the first minute reminds us a little of Justin Currie from Del Amitri. That's an extraordinarily powerful weapon! And even more so when occassionally they are augmented by heavenly backing vocals such as those of Mandie Barnett. And then there are still Murray's songs! The man appears not only to have been blessed with a formidable set of vocal chords, but also with an incredible instinct for melody and captivating lyrics. From ballads like "Enlighten Me", "Blueberry Wine" and "Down in This Town"; the almost 7 minute epic "Burning Silver"; the summery "Forgive Me Sera" with it's border-romance Americana infused lyrics; animated county-rockers like "I'll Never Learn", "Valley of the Unforgiven", "DT's Roadhouse Shake"; to the enthusiastic yet flamboyant romping bluegrass of "Thinking of Cristina"; these songs quickly become real stayers, and songs that you will gladly make some space on your iPod for. Songs you will keep wanting to hear!

Put simply, "Desert Wind" is a wonderfully varied work, and Richard Murray is a songsmith we will undoubtedly hear from again.

Sometimes the penny drops. Take the Northern Irish born and bred singer-songwriter Richard Murray, who recently realised he had always wanted to record and release his own CD. As he plucked the bass for the punky Brit-pop band of Eden James and for Viv Youell, it was difficult to imagine this guy having a hidden predisposition towards unconventional acoustic pop, bluegrass and tight alt-country rock. But this is what i hear on his debut album "Dessert Wind". Murray has a voice that pleases the ear... Standouts among a strong body of songs are Enlighten Me, Down In This Town and album closer The Wind And The Rain... A very smart debut from a promising singer songwriter who will earn his spurs.

Irish-born singer/songwriter Richard Murray, after years of working in some bands, finally released his first album, titled Desert Wind. This album is a good surprise, unique in its versatility and scope yet deceptivly simple and accessible. The album interchanges stark acoustic ballads with Bluegrass and upbeat country rock with primo musicianship and soul as a common thread.

... What`s truly surprising is that far from looking for inspiration in Irish music, Murray gets very friendly with country rock and the acoustic rides that distinguish the Texas Sound.

It`s inevitable to appreciate excellent ballads like “Forgive me sera”, the duet with Mandiet Barnett is enriched thanks to the pedal steel of John Davis, and catchier tunes like “Thinking of Cristina” and “I`ll Never Learn” which remind us of Chris Knight and the overwhelming country rock of DTs Roadhouse Shake. Desert Wind is a terrific album that lets us foretell a great future for Murray`s career, this artist is undoubtedly talented.

If you listen to 'Desert Wind' by Richard Murray you will think you are listening to an older, refined singer/songwriter. Look at the cover and you will see to your surprise a young man. This does not detract from the power of the music that this guy knows how to produce. To begin with he has a beautiful husky voice, and he knows how to use it to crawl under your skin. In addition, he plays wonderful electric and acoustic guitars and has collected a great band around him.
The band is mentioned in this case because of the absolutely fantastic playing and singing. Murray of course is singing all of the songs but Mandie Barnett adds a second voice in parts to make them all the more beautiful. Murray not only plays guitar and mandolin but also very precise harmonica and percussion. Then there is the excellent rhythm section – Spencer Brown on the electric and upright bass and Nic France on drums and percussion. And finally John Davis on pedal steel giving some numbers a wonderful country flavour, and the great Davis Hearn on B3 organ and piano. Hearn on piano is especially good, he plays surprising things that really make you sit up, such as on Burning Silver where he will leave you listening with open mouth.
Despite the country flavour and pedal steel, this is still a rock and rolling Americana album. Epic in length but with a layering which ensures that you do not turn off. The sound is smooth, nice and bright but with a certain melancholy. This is certainly true of the ballads where he accompanies himself almost solely on guitar such as the great, 7-minute The Wind and Rain which closes the 1hr+ long album.

(thanks to John Richard O'Neill and Marco Gobatto for translations)