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Chris MURPHY Noir Tango; Desert Star; Cafe Noir; Filbert's Rag; Coffee and Candles; Bessie Smith; Time is an Ocean; Eddie's Mambo; Gospel Song; Moonlight Waltz; Grand Hotel; Arabesque Chris Murphy (violin) no rec details KUFALA MUSIC 25084 01602 [54:54]

This is music for solo violin ... but not plain or unadorned. It is lent atmosphere and mystery by an electronic accompaniment. This works very well. Thankfully we are spared drum machines. The first two tracks are warm and oriental as if they had been written by Alan Hovhaness and using similar mannerisms and material but cloaked in a more commercially acceptable outer garment. Much the same can be said of the equally pleasing and slightly melancholic Coffee and Candles. I was expecting something more seductive. Cafe Noir curves in towards the ubiquitous tango and those Django Rainhardt and Yehudi Menuhin jazz LPs of the 1970s (remember that vogue?). Eddie's Song, Filbert's Rag and Bessie Smith are bluesy; sparer and barer. Later they get 'down and dirty' with contrasting double-bass sounds. Time is an Ocean introduces a sea-surf surging sound as part of a backdrop to a minimalistic pulsing piece. Gospel Song again presents Murphy's adaptable and skilled violin in solo without adornment. This is Murphy among the deep South gospel halls. The Moonlight Waltz has a similar nostalgic charge to Coffee and Candles. Grand Hotel surprised me. I was expecting a return to Moonlight waltzes but this is more muezzin melisma than anything else. It is largely for solo violin and is recorded in a reverberant acoustic. Arabesque is the most touching of the twelve tracks which again has the solo violin standing free of electronic atmosphere and accompaniment. It has that touching penetrating sadness that derives from Celtic and early American folk fiddle music at its least affected. If you need a crossover reference for this track perhaps think about the lovely score for the film Cold Mountain. Further information can be gleaned from www.chrismurphy music Fans of the violin in all its survival-sensitive glory and adaptability will want to hear this disc. Rob Barnett Advertising Rates Visitor stats MusicWeb International has over 40,000 Classical CD reviews on offer Discs received Having a problem Donating? Gerard Hoffnung Concerts & The Bricklayer Story MusicWeb can now offer you discs from the following catalogues: Prices include postage There will be NO VAT Rises [Acte Préalable £13.50] [Arcodiva £12.00] [Avie from £6.25] [British Music Society £12.00] [CDACCORD from £13.50 ] [ClassicO £12.50] [Hallé from £11] [Heritage £10] [Hortus £14.99 ] [Lyrita ONLY £11.75 ] [Nimbus Special prices] [Northern Flowers £13.50] [REDCLIFFE £11 ] [Sheva £11] [Tactus £11.50 ] [Talent from £12.00 ] [Toccata Classics £10.50 ] Musicweb Special Offers Monthly Best Buys   New Releases New Releases   MusicWeb sells the Polish catalogue CDAccord £10.50 post free W-W MusicWeb sells the Arcodiva catalogue £12.00 post free W-W £11.75 post-free world- wide     Google Ads - for information about privacy matters, click here.  Amazon Musicweb International is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

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