Only nine of the 21 songs on this collection of 1960s recordings were previously released, showing up on obscure independent singles and albums between 1964 and 1969. The precise dates of recordings are not known, although the liner notes speculate that some could date from the early 1960s. Regardless of the exact vintage, the album offers interesting, sparse country that sounds tangled between its roots in the 1920s and 1930s and the modern post-war sound. Murphy was an excellent 12-string guitarist, and his busy picking and strumming creates the effect of hearing more than one instrumentalist. On many of the cuts it sounds as if a bass is pulsing away in the ...
Only nine of the 21 songs on this collection of 1960s recordings were previously released, showing up on obscure independent singles and albums between 1964 and 1969. The precise dates of recordings are not known, although the liner notes speculate that some could date from the early 1960s. Regardless of the exact vintage, the album offers interesting, sparse country that sounds tangled between its roots in the 1920s and 1930s and the modern post-war sound. Murphy was an excellent 12-string guitarist, and his busy picking and strumming creates the effect of hearing more than one instrumentalist. On many of the cuts it sounds as if a bass is pulsing away in the background. The liner notes don't mention any such accompaniment, however, so perhaps it's a one-man show, with the exception of a few harmony vocals by his wife Florine who takes lead on "I Feel Jesus My My My". Murphy sticks largely to sacred material on this compilation, with a few witty, more contemporary tunes, such as "Hub Cap" "Just 'cause your head looks like a hubcap, it's no sign that you're a big wheel" and "Tears in the Eyes of a Potato." The minimal country-rockabilly feel and stark singing sound a bit like early Johnny Cash recordings, though the similarities don't go that far -- Murphy's vocals have a higher and wider range, and his repertoire has much stronger roots in Appalachian country-folk styles. The only concessions to more contemporary trends are the 1965 single "Half a Loaf of Bread," which has some rockabilly guitar, and its B-side "Take This Message to Mother," a bathetic son-mother battlefield letter, and the only track to feature piano.
Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked,
or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to
Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original
and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you
and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not
violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help
ensure that your review can be posted.
Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13
We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer.
However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or
to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.
What to exclude from your review:
Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the
information on the product page, please send us an email.
Reviews should not contain any of the following:
- HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
- Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
- Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
- Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
- Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
- Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
- Advertisements or commercial solicitation
Reminder:
- By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its
sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the
review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
- Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly
those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com
also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
- See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend
Create a Pen Name
Welcome, penname
You have successfully created your Pen Name. Start enjoying the benefits of the BN.com Community today.
Editorial Reviews
All Music Guide - Richie Unterberger
Only nine of the 21 songs on this collection of 1960s recordings were previously released, showing up on obscure independent singles and albums between 1964 and 1969. The precise dates of recordings are not known, although the liner notes speculate that some could date from the early 1960s. Regardless of the exact vintage, the album offers interesting, sparse country that sounds tangled between its roots in the 1920s and 1930s and the modern post-war sound. Murphy was an excellent 12-string guitarist, and his busy picking and strumming creates the effect of hearing more than one instrumentalist. On many of the cuts it sounds as if a bass is pulsing away in the ...