About the album
To say Mark Murphy is a jazz singer is an understatement.
He's beyond that title. He's a poet, an actor and above all a soulful human being filled with tremendous musical talent. I have known Mark for over 50 years and have developed a very special friendship with him. I like to call him my Spiritual Brother.
I heard him sing for the first time in a little club I worked at in Greenwich Village called the Page 3. He came in to say hello to the owners who adored him. They asked him to do a tune and this very tall handsome young man took the tiny stage and turned it into a huge concert hall. I'll never forget it. He sang "Willow Weep for Me". I was blown away by his voice and deep feeling. I've loved him and his music ever since.
The music you are about to hear is a tour de force of Mark and his musical depth. Not only does he sing some very beautiful standard compositions, he adds some inspiring words and music written by both himself, Karlheinz Charlie Miklin, an incredible horn player and the late, great Fritz Pauer.
The original compositions are very deep and will take you to another level. At least that's where they took me. I felt myself being transported into another dimension with a feeling of not wanting to return. Karlheinz Miklin, saxes, Fritz Pauer, piano, Ewald Oberleitner, bass, and Dusan Novakov, drums, were the creators for this incredible journey. They become so strongly connected that at times it's like one sound coming from all four of them. I am willing to bet they had an out of body experience when they recorded this wonderful music. Hey, don't take my word for it, buy it and try it. I hope you get the same feeling that I experienced. Long Live Mark Murphy and his music.
Sheila Jordan
Zu behaupten, Mark Murphy ist Jazzsänger wäre eine Untertreibung. Er ist weit mehr - ein Poet, Schauspieler, und allem voram ein seelenvolles Wesen mit ungeheurem musikalischen Talent. Ich werde den Moment nie vergessen, als ich ihn zum ersten Mal singen hörte - seine Stimme und seine emotionale Tiefe haben mich umgehauen.
Die Musik, die Sie hier hören werden, ist ein Paradebeispiel für Marks musikalischen Tiefgang, mit dem er nicht nur einige wundervolle Standards singt, sondern ihnen auch einiges an inspirierenden Worten und Musik hinzufügt, verfasst von ihm selbst, dem unglaublichen Hornisten Karlheinz Miklin und dem grandiosen, kürzlich verstorbenen Fritz Pauer. Zusammen gestalten sie eine unglaubliche Reise, die mich in eine andere Dimension entführt hat, aus der ich nicht mehr zurück wollte. Ihre musikalische Verbindung ist so stark, dass es scheint als ströme der Klang von allen vier Musikern gleichzeitig, und ich würde wetten, dass sie bei den Aufnahmen dieses Albums eine außerkörperliche Erfahrung hatten.
Aber hey - Sie müssen mein Wort nicht für bare Münze nehmen, hören Sie selbst! Ich hoffe, Sie machen die gleiche Erfahrung wie ich.
Sheila Jordan
Press
Jazzthing Critics Top Ten 2014
Place 2 for Axel Stinshoff
Jazzthing, 09-2-2015
Best Male Jazz singer in 2014
Blog Jazzstation, 05-1-2015
"Murphy, the gifted shadow man of jazz, doesn't sing here, he recites places of fright with a sonorous voice. And he touches the centre of the heart of the listener."
Rondo, 01-1-2015
Mainly own compositions show him at the highest level of his expertise.
Leipziger Volkszeitung, 20-12-2014
A really remarkable release, which is totally worth the purchase
Radio Dreyeckland, 30-11-2014
Murphy does a power program with own compositions which shows the singer and his band as an ensemble with a mind of their own - Chapeau!
Jazzpodium, 14-11-2014
Serene, contemporary, away from every routine. Terrific
Jazz’N’More Schweiz, 14-11-2014