David Foster: Vocals #3
Birch "Slide" Johnson: Trombone
Fifty years of success in the blues business takes much more than luck!
From his early years with Howlinâ Wolf to worldwide fame with the Blues Brothers Band, two John Landis Hollywood motion pictures, sides on Chess, Modern, Atlantic, and Universal, Matt "Guitar" Murphy delivers 11 new original songs with his latest album, Lucky Charm.
Lucky Charm has the electric boogie, country blues, acoustic blues, funk blues, rock blues, jazzy blues. This is blues you can use.
Recorded dangerously, Roesch- style, that is, floor style in a large ambient room, Lucky Charm has the sound and intensity of a live Matt Murphy performance. Lucky Charms's top notch super-session musicians include:
Leon Pendarvis, keyboard-veteran-leader of NBC's Saturday Night Live and star session player on hit platinum albums with Eric Clapton, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones and Diana Ross.
Tom Barney bassist from NBC's SNL and the new albums from Steely Dan and Lauryn Hill.
The notorious Blues Brothers Horns "Blue" Lou Marini, Alan "Mr. Fabulous" Rubin and Birch "Slide" Johnson.
Howard Eldridge and David "Lefty" Foster with their inimitable bluesy voices and irrepressible personalities join Matt and Leon on the vocals. Drummer Floyd Murphy, Jr., Matt's nephew, nails all the grooves with the skill of a veteran who has toured the world with his uncle for over 15 years. Familiarity breeds funk. Saxman Gordon Beadle aka Sax Gordon aka "Beadlejuice" shines on Who's Got the Puddy and Willie Mae while session bassist Scott Spray with over 100 albums under his belt, including The Rascals, lays down his solid lines on two tunes.
Following on the heels of his latest RIAA Gold Record for his previous Roesch release, The Blues Don't Bother Me on the Blues Brothers 2000 Soundtrack, Lucky Charm pushes the blues into the New Millennium.
Darrin Fox Guitar Player Magazine
"Murphy's guitar work is all sizzle and soul." Art Tipaldi Blues Revue www.bluesrevue.com
"From start to finish this is some of the finest Blues we've heard to date." Jeffrey Clements www.blues.about.com
"An outing of gritty blues." Greg Olwell Bass Player Magazine
"Murphy is a master in what some would call the "old school" of blues, who delights in this well conceived session."
Ron Weinstock, contributing writer DC Blues Calendar, Jazz & Blues Report, Cadence. www.dcblues.org
"There is not a weak cut on this CD." Blue Barry Faust Knoxville BluesGroove
"From good time blues to polished jazz, on Lucky Charm Matt "Guitar" Murphy shows off his versatility."
BJ Huchtemann The Reader
"If you are looking for a tight band, a legendary performer who is as flawless as perfection itself, then look no further than Matt Guitar Murphy, along with Tom Barney, Leon Pendarvis, Floyd Murphy Jr also joined by the Blues Brother Horns."
George Seedroff Big City Blues www.bigcitybluesmag.com
"Without reservation, Lucky Charm is Murphy's finest recorded solo work yet and requests a fine addition to any blues collection." Dave "Doc" Plitz Blues On Stage www.mnblues.com
"This is a fine collection from one of the mainstays in blues guitar. Grab a copy and enjoy the fretwork of Matt Guitar Murphy." Don and Sheryl Crow Music City Blues www.musiccityblues.org
"Lucky Charm is a slick and satisfying effort." Smokin Joe Miklos Billtown Blue Notes www.billtownblues.org
