Search - Mark Murphy :: Some Time Ago

The consummate Jazz Singer

Bruce James-Newman | San Diego, United States | 11/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mark Murphy has recorded an album of standards and near-standards, but these songs don't SOUND standard. Murphy approaches every song from a different angle, and thankfully doesn't sing it as "the same old, same old". The thinking is that if a song is worth singing, it is worth singing right, and the listener is the winner. Noteworthy is "That Old Black Magic", a chestnut which has been recorded so often that one would think there couldn't be a new approach. Murphy's uptempo reading proves one wrong. Two other stand-outs are "My Alter-ego", which rocks and swings hard, and the closing "Why was I born/I'm a fool to want you", one of the starkest, saddest things I've heard. Do not listen to it when down!"

An Argentinian Valse and Pure Class

Carlos from Rio | Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil | 02/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a passionate fan of Murphy's work and only passionate fans should write about their idols - for the good or for the bad!Murphy comes now in a valse "Some Time Ago" penned by Sergio Mihanovich from Argentina. An astonishingly poetical intro by trumpeter Dave Ballou sets the slow pace mood for one of the best performances ever from Master Murphy. Then in "That Old Black Old Magic" it is Murphy who sets the slow mood that would embark in an uptempo vocalising sequence. To be listened to as any Beaujoulais should be drunk - by small and calm steps in order to get the full flavor of each drop, of each note."

Murphy at his best

Vic Warren | Long Beach, CA USA | 02/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Murphy has been one of our greatest bop stylists for more than 50 years. This CD, recorded in 1999, is filled with the two kinds of songs he does best: flat out bop songs featuring wonderful scat singing, humor and style; and ballads that can make you weep. His voice is still powerful and clean, but he can growl when it suits the song. An excellent band backs him all the way. This is a fine example of a pure jazz artist at work."