Neil
Murray
After
more than two decades of writing, recording and performing,
Neil Murray is one of Australia's most respected songwriters.
He was a member of the pioneering indigenous rock
group the Warumpi Band. Since 1989 he has forged solo
recording career that has produced the albums "Calm
& Crystal Clear", "These Hands",
"Dust", "The Wondering Kind",
"Going the Distance" and now the 2CD compilation
"About Time".
"Lyrically
outspoken, musically eclectic, Neil Murray is as good
as Australian music gets". Billy Pinnell
read more on Neil Murray by Billy Pinnell
"Like
it or not, Australian music does show it has a conscience
now and again
.Neil Murray has seen fit to strike
out on his own across the desert of mainstream rock
in search of an oasis
and it appears he has found
it " Adelaide News
"Murray's
art lies in saying what he knows and not one word
more"Author and journalist Martin Flanagan, The
Age.
NEIL
MURRAY 'About Time
A Song Collection'
Album Bio
by Billy Pinnell
Since
his first recordings in the early 80's with The
Warumpi Band and now with five subsequent albums
released under his own name, Neil Murray has successfully
chronicled his passion for what Australia could mean
for all of us.
Raised
on a farm in Western Victoria, Murray's quest to discover
more about Australia lead him in 1980 to relocate
to the remote Western Desert Aboriginal communities
of Papunya and Kintore. His search for a deeper understanding
of our original inhabitants resulted in the creation
of much of the music on this collection. A painter
of vivid lyrical pictures Murray has never compromised
in favour of his fascinating stories taking precedence
over the eclectic music he creates. Elements of rock,
country, blues and folk are present throughout this
double CD which features tracks from his solo releases
and on CD 2 live and previously unreleased studio
recordings.
To
list all the album's highlights would take longer
than the time you'll spend listening to both CD's,
so I'll summaries.
Many
of the collection's most memorable tracks are stories
associated with indigenous Australians, like 'Eddie
Mabo' the land rights crusader ('took 'em all on and
he won, gave us hope where there was none!'), accompanied
by chugging rhythm, splashes of Hammond organ and
a chanting chorus 'Eddie Mabo you're a hero'.
'Cleverman'
tells of Tjapaltjarri, a man who walked in from the
desert, spent 12 months observing western culture
and decided it was better out bush. The acoustic based
'Broken Song' is about cultural loss suffered by indigenous
Australians as a result of being forced fed religion
by missionaries ('we lined up for rations, we lined
up in fear of a God we didn't understand, our customs
they were banned').As weighty as these songs are Murray
incorporates humour and good times into the mix with
songs like the rollicking 'Good Light In Broome' (featuring
accordion) and 'Tom Wills Would' about the legendary
coach of The Native X1, the first Australian (all
aboriginal) cricket team to tour England and Father
of Australian Rules Football, coming to save the local
footy team.
In
contrast to the lone acoustic guitar and subtle synthesizer
on 'Tom Wills Would', 'Calm And Crystal Clear' (his
1989 debut single) and 'Big Truck' are examples of
Murray's irresistible country tinged rock songs.
On
the second CD of live and rare tracks Murray reprises
only three songs preferring to go with another dozen
originals and the album's only cover, a rocking version
of Danny Thompson's and Arthur Thingle's 'Dear Me'.
Other
standouts include 'Bulukbara Man' and 'Johnny Grey'
with its compelling boogie beat and slide guitar solo
('I wish I could play the guitar like Johnny Grey').
These live tracks feature Murray's touring band from
the early nineties- The Rainmakers. More recent band
line-ups give vent to live tracks such as the bluesy
"This Time" and the roots flavoured "Long
Grass Band".
Solo
acoustic performances 'One More Mile', 'Holy Road'
and 'Native Born' are enhanced by the harmony vocals
of Christine Anu and Kavisha Mazzella.
Originally
recorded with the Warumpi Band, Murray delivers a
rousing version of his best known song 'My Island
Home' for which he won an APRA Award in 1995 for Song
Of The Year.
The
breadth of Neil Murray's talents as a musician and
songwriter are on full display throughout his new
release.
Murray's music is powerful, seductive, honest and
proudly Australian. His lyrical themes are as relevant
to Australia as Woody Guthrie's are to America.
- Billy Pinnell
Neil
Murray is one of Australia's most respected singer/songwriters
and has enjoyed a solo career since 1989. He has released
five albums "Calm & Crystal Clear",
" These Hands", "Dust", "The
Wondering Kind" and his latest - "Going
The Distance" the songs on these albums
- from the rollicking "Good Light in Broome "
to the prayerful "Native Born", the work
ethic commitment of "Big Truck", the bitter
sweet call of "Tjapwurrung Country" or the
joy of love in "Over the Moon " describe
an inner landscape to the heart and soul of Australia.
Neil
Murray first appeared in the early eighties as a founding
member of the Warumpi Band which over three albums
and twenty years of performing set alight contemporary
indigenous music as a force to be reckoned with in
Australia.
Those
who have read his book "Sing for me Countryman"
or poetry " One Man Tribe" or seen his play
"King For This Place" acknowledge his affinity
for the land and respect for indigenous culture.
In
1995, Neil Murray was awarded the APRA song of the
year for "My Island Home" originally written
for the Warumpi Band and re-recorded by Cristine Anu.
"My Island Home" has become something of
an unofficial anthem and featured in the closing ceremony
of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Neil
Murray performs regularly at festivals and live music
venues in Australia and overseas.
Websites
Neil Murray
official website
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