24 BIT DIGITALLY REMASTERED 2 LPs on 1 CD24 BIT DIGITALLY REMASTERED 2 LPs on 1 CD Affectionately nick-named the Singing M by Milt Gabler head Decca a&r man Mark Murphy s jazz vocal interpretations established him in the front rank of the art. Here backed by brilliant Ralph Burns jazz-flavored arrangements, he weaves magisterially through a variety of moods and tempos. Listen to his versions of Fascinating Rhythm, Limehouse Blues, Exactly Like You and Give It Back to the Indians, all included in his first Decca album Meet Mark Murphy, and it s clear why Billboard saluted him in 1956 as one of the smartest, most unusual talents around. Murphy sings with a modern jazz feeling, and like an instrument. His unorthodox phrasing and sophisticated manner will register especially with hip deejays. The reviews were equally flattering when his second Decca album Let Yourself Go, came out late in 1957. Elmer s Tune, Taint No Sin and I Got Rhythm are among the best of numerous outstanding vocal performances. His phrasing is relaxed and distinctive, the voice totally under control and the intonation spot-on. With so much at his command and his uninhibited patter and scat singing, he remains a jazz singer to the manner born, capable of projecting his qualities regardless of context. And, courtesy of Ralph Burns, he has a fine setting here.
N**Y
OUTSTANDING!!
Mark is my cousin, so I might be prejudiced, but there are Mark Murphy fans out there (I've met some of them) who say he and Elsa are the King and Queen of jazz singers.
W**N
Four Stars
Great jazz vocalist
M**X
EXCELLENT
.....HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
O**.
Sometimes time doesn't matter
I expected this CD to be a little, if not a lot, dated. I had no recollection of Mark Murphy from the past, but most of the songs were either favourites or ones that I didn't have a copy of but had enjoyed from other singers on the radio - does anyone still listen to a radio? In any case, what a delicious surprise. I suppose he is a jazz singer, but that would be more accurate in an earlier time when songs were done without too much switching of notes and adding personal touches. Now that is commonplace, so that Murphy sounds pretty much up to date.Time has caused one problem that Decca could have solved with just a little effort - not the quality of the sound - but having the least attractive two songs come first. First impressions are hard to get over, but by the time you finish the CD, they are forgotten except that you learn to skip them from then on or find something demanding to do so that they slide by without much attention being paid to them. Otherwise, Murphy's voice stands up well. The songs, almost all of them, still work well.That leaves me with just one question: whatever happened to Mark Murphy? Two Lps, both on this CD, and that was that?Worth buying - definitely yes.
H**Y
Early Mark Murphy
if , like me, you are a fan of Mark Murphy, this is a welcome addition to your collection. It gives you his early recordings and you instantly recognise the voice and can recognise the beginnings of the style that made him what he is. It's also good to listen to for pleasure.
B**L
Five Stars
See my other Mark Murphy reviews
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