Music Review - `Reason To Try` by Shaun Murphy (ea)
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Shaun Murphy - Reason To Try (click on image to watch video)
26 August 2019
Shaun Murphy has got to be the hardest working woman in Rock N’ Roll. The Detroit native began her career nearly half a century ago. She got her first big break, along with Texas musician Meatloaf, from Motown Records. The pair recorded one album as Stoney & Meatloaf before getting lost in the shuffle.
In the ensuing years, she’s recorded and toured with Bob Seger, Eric Clapton, the Moody Blues and a plethora of prominent Rock and Blues giants. In 1993 she joined the recently reformed Little Feat. She recorded five albums for L.A.’s eccentric and eclectic combo.
In 2009 she began fronting The Shaun Murphy Band. Fast forward 10 years and they have released eight albums and been nominated for three Grammy Awards. Her ninth long-player, “Reason To Try” has just dropped.
The album kicks into gear with the sanctified Soul of “Hurt Me Good.” As with past albums, she tackles a surfeit of styles. From the Gospel-inflected title track, to the breezy Jazz of “Dancing In The Sun,” to the straight-ahead Rock of “Rumor Mill.”
Obviously, Shaun’s vocals are front and center, her voice recalls antecedents like Etta James and Koko Taylor, as well as contemporaries both Bonnies,(Bramlett and Raitt, respectively). Still, she shares the spotlight with her agile band. Other highlights include the smooth heartbreak of “Thang For You” The Honky-Tonk Blues of “Love The Man” and the gutbucket grit of “Power Of Love.” Powerhouse music that’s a salve for the soul.
Eleni P. Austin - I was born into a large, loud Greek family and spent my formative years in the Los Angeles enclaves of Laurel Canyon and Los Feliz. My mother moved us to the Palm Springs area just in time for puberty and Disco. I have spent over 40 years working in record stores, starting back in High School.
I wrote music reviews for the Desert Sun from 1983 to 1988. I began doing the same for the Coachella Valley Weekly in 2012.
I live in Palm Springs with my wife and our amazing dog, Denver.
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