Elliott Murphy – Infinity
I like the Elliott Murphy look. From a once extremely young projection of a singer-songwriter with Peter Frampton boyish good looks to a sophisticated seasoned face of experience today — part Tom Petty, Eric Andersen & Kinky Friedman. But the mature look maintains a genuine rock veteran muscle. A superior New York artist who is about to cast out his 52nd album in a 52-year career.
The 9 originals that grace Infinity (Dropped March 7/Murphyland/30:19) were produced & arranged by Elliott’s son Gaspard Murphy (electric guitar/bass/keys/percussion/programming). Recorded in Paris with a look into the future, there is an aim, a theme, a focus & not just a set of random songs to fill a new album. This has been in some ways Elliott’s concentration through his work since his first album in 1973.
This collection not only has good songs, but the production skills are obvious from the first song. “Granny Takes a Trip” is a steady-moving story song with elements of nostalgia in its treads, but as it travels, it also embodies all the qualities of excellent songwriting & performance turns. But then, Elliott Murphy is a veteran artist. He knows the ropes, the trap doors, knows when to throw jabs & when to toss an uppercut.
I’m not entirely certain if every song Murphy writes has to do with anything that happened for real in his life. But the story songs are like novellas. Sometimes Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald with little stabs at Kerouac. “Red Moon Over Paris” is one such excursion. It has a Euro feel on the chorus of singers, but Elliott’s voice is still the road-weary troubadour who may be in Paris, but he has desert sand in his boots. Several tunes hover over nostalgia but never dive too deeply into that mindset.
“Baby Boomers Lament” is a cool, yet stinging look back at what we once believed until reality stepped in — “…you say you want a revolution, at least that’s what you said.” Powerful & brave lyrics. The sole rocker is “Makin’ It Real” with its clusters to remind us why we loved our rock music so much the way the Big Band kids recalled their dancing.
The LP is a serious document & the music will remind us that time is at a premium. With John Prine, Kris Kristofferson & most recently Kinky Friedman, who departed this mortal coil & let Elliott Murphy step up to keep that baby boomer stage light lit for a little while longer. And still is.
Highlights – “Granny Takes a Trip,” “Red Moon Over Paris,” “Baby Boomers Lament,” “Makin’ It Real,” & “Night Surfing.”
Musicians – Elliott Murphy (vocals/acoustic & electric guitars/ukulele/programming), Olivier Durand (acoustic & electric guitars/Mandola/dulcimer/chorus), Alan Fatras (cajon/percussion), Melissa Cox (violin/chorus) & Gerard McFadden (standup bass).
An 8-page stitched lyric insert is included. Color image courtesy of Elliott’s website. CD at https://elliottmurphy.com/product/infinity/ + https://elliottmurphy.com/ & https://www.hemifran.com/news/detail/p/1891/Elliott%20Murphy/Infinity/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Music Reviews: Elliott Murphy with Olivier Durand, plus the Troggs, Kate Klim, and Terry Klein
