Reviews

Blewzzman’s Blues CD Reviews – Shaun Murphy “Loretta” – review link

Prior to doing sitting down to write a review, I like to give the CD another listen so that I can make notes as to which songs I may want to address in the review. So with a pen nearby and a sticky note on the cover of the disc, I gave it a listen. When I saw that I was on track six and the sticky note had 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 written on it, I chuckled and asked myself “What the heck you I doing, Pete? This is Shaun Murphy!” That’s just the way it is with her. Song after song, CD after CD, regardless if it’s an original or a cover, regardless of the song style and regardless of the music’s genre – the woman never sounds anything less than great. As a matter of fact, while reviewing her last release, I do recall saying that “I’d enjoy hearing Shaun Murphy sing nursery rhymes”. Amen! On her newest release – “Loretta” – Shaun Murphy, lead vocalist extraordinaire, is joined by some very recognizable performers; Randy Coleman on bass; George Lilly on drums; Kenneth Michael Kramer on rhythm guitar; Jack Pearson, Jimi Fiano and Rob McNelley on lead guitar; Mark T. Jordan and Larry Van Loon on keyboards; and along with Shaun herself, Randy Coleman and Matt Workman provide the background vocals. The CD contains twelve tracks of which seven are Shaun Murphy originals. Having worked with many of the masters in the world of rock, Shaun’s ability to blow the roof off with a smoker is second to none. Making an awesome first impression, she opens with an aggressive original titled “Don’t Lie To Me”. Randy and George are fueling this powerful production with some relentless rhythm and it’s got Jack jammin’ out savage guitar licks. (READ MORE)

Shaun Murphy Loretta – review link

Shaun Murphy became a full time member of Little Feat in 1993. In 2009, after sixteen years with them, and after appearing on 16 Little Feat albums, Murphy made the brave decision to leave. She decided to concentrate on her passion for the Blues. This is Murphy’s sixth album in her name. Each one of them has been great. Murphy’s 2012 recording “Ask for The Moon” was nominated for three Grammy Awards and won two Blues Blast Awards. For the last six months Murphy has been touring with Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band with whom she also has a long term relationship. Perhaps that gave her the time to concentrate on material for this new album. Murphy, and co-producers TC Davis and Randy Coleman, have also put together the best blues rock ensemble I’ve heard in years. The core band is Coleman, bass; George Lilly, drums, and Kenne Cramer, guitar. On the twelve tracks they’ve added some talented lead guitarists. Playing lead is either Jack Pearson, whose credits include playing with the Allman Brothers; Rob McNelley (from Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band), or Jimi Fiano (from Foghat). Larry Van Loon and Mark T. Jordan share keyboard duties. This band may be the best Murphy has ever assembled. (READ MORE)

Featured Blues Review – Blues Blast Magazine Review Link

Shaun Murphy – Loretta, Vision Wall Records – shaunmurphyband.com
12 tracks; 47:10 minutes
Suggested Styles: Blues Rock; Rock and Roll; Electric Guitar Blues

Some things are unexplainable: self-destructive habits, poor people not voting, and Shaun Murphy not appearing at any of the Blues festivals listed in the 2014 “Blues Festival Guide.” How have festival talent buyers missed this three time Grammy nominee and 2013’s only double winner at the Blues Blast Music Awards (Best Female Blues Artist of the Year and Best Contemporary Blues Album “Ask For the Moon”)? How have Blues cruise operators and festival buyers not noticed her tours and album credits with Eric Clapton (“Behind the Sun”), Bob Seger (since 1973, including Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2010), Bruce Hornsby, Joe Walsh, Glenn Frey and The Moody Blues – to name a few? Did the festival talent search committees miss her at the first “Live Aid Concert” in 1985? Were they unaware of her appearing in both of the Broadway productions of “Hair” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – On The Road”? Did festival talent chairmen sleep through her duo album with Meatloaf for Rare Earth/Motown Records (“Stoney and Meatloaf”), when a teenage Murphy arrived in Detroit MI and was known as “Stoney”? Did they not hear and see her lead singing for the legendary band Little Feat from 1993 through 2009; did they miss her appearance on Jay Leno’s Tonight show and Conan O’Brien? Will they, now, notice Shaun’s Jimi Award for “2014 Best Female Vocalist” from Blues 411? Currently on tour, again, with Bob Seger, doing 33 dates across late 2014 and early 2015, Shaun Murphy has quietly (?) carved out a “new” solo career since 2009 as Blues chanteuse and leader of the Shaun Murphy Band. Deciding to return to her Blues roots, Shaun released the album Livin’ The Blues in September 2009. A second album, The Trouble With Lovin’, followed in 2010.

Late in 2011, Murphy released a DVD and live CD both titled Shaun Murphy Live at Callahan’s. Her album Ask for the Moon, released in 2012, was nominated for three Grammy Awards and won a Blues Blast Music Award. 2013 brought the CD “Cry of Love,” and, now, her sixth CD, Loretta, is now released. Murphy’s magnificent vocals are showcased on each selection (there are no instrumentals). As one might surmise, Murphy possesses a vocal instrument with broad range, clear diction (even I can understand the lyrics), and pleasing pitch and timbre. Her superb deliveries exhibit expert meter and are full of vibrant passion. Of the 12 songs, 7 were penned or co-written by Shaun.

Right off the Launchpad, Murphy announces that this CD is a little more het up than previous works. The Rocking-the-Blues-like-a-barreling-freight-train arrangement in the opening original song “Don’t Lie to Me” is powered by stellar studio musicians. Throughout, here are the seasoned cats that throw down deftly: Jack Pearson – slide and lead guitars, Rob McNelley – lead guitar, Jimi Fiano – lead guitar, Kenneth Michael Cramer – guitar, Randy Coleman – bass, George Lilly – drums, Mark T. Jordan – keyboards, Larry Van Loon – keyboards, and Matt Workman – background vocals along with Randy Coleman and Shaun herself. The CD was produced by Murphy’s agent T.C. Davis and Randy Coleman. (READ MORE)