Neil Murray - The Telling - Album Review
I have just searched up Spotify for the new album by Neil Murray - The Telling- to review on this blog. I wish I had the CD version so I could take a drive in my car and play it on the CD player, take a road trip in South West Victoria where I live, and listen to his songs, on a beautiful country drive, where his music is always such a good fit. I'll do this when I can buy the CD !
For now, I will listen to The Telling on Spotify, with this blog open on my computer. to write about my thoughts for each song...
Broken Land - A lovely country/ rock strum on guitar, a keyboard playing chords, shuffling optimistic drums and a nice simple bass, a bright lead guitar, and the mood into the world and music by Neil Murray begins ! He wants us to understand, he is baffled by the laws that once was, paying the price of the colonizers, he doesn't mean to critisize. Neil sings, with a yearning voice, for what was once, and what now seems broken. Born in a broken land, a sad reflection, now comes a harmonica solo, to end the song, this instrument suggests in this solo, there is still hope.
No Justice - well this resinates with me instantly, a reggae protest song ! Oh my, it has the Warumpi Band feel of the past, when Neil played lead guitar with his band, and they wrote songs like Black Fella/White Fella, we still sing-along with today, oh yes this No Justice is powerful, and speaks the truth, not then not now, Neil sings about Deaths in Custody, he takes us through whats happening now, that hasn't changed, for our indigenous people, and he sings with passion in his voice, too many suffer that are not spoken for, a national disgrace, feel what its like, put yourself in a brothers place, when there's no justice done, not then , not now, no justice for anyone. Its a brilliant song.
Tears of Wybalenna - Neils lovely guitar picking style starts in this one, oh that smooth bass and 2/4 drums, those minor chords, into the tears, 47 made it out alive, they were cast off down in oyster cove, oh the tears of Wybalenna, a simple and effective guitar lead throughout, humanity they lack, governments don't learn from their mistakes, they languish in detention for many long years, reflecting on todays issues, and the past, feeling the tears of past and present, yes I can feel the tears too.
Heal My Life - I can't keep going on like this putting up with this conflict, show me where the love is or let me go, with a country / rock cruising along feel, Some power chords accentuate the chorus, I'm gonna heal my life today, a feeling in this song of a relationship that is coming apart, but with something holding on. Neil could be singing about himself, like with some of his compositions, such as Good Light in Broome, it is fictional , yet believable its about the songwriters life, because he tells it so well !
The Murrimbidgee - oh some lovely mandolin in this one, and strings, I wish I was a river man living off the land, oh yes I wish that too, on The Murrimbidgee, some nice slide kicks in, would you come with me, even if your life was in danger, farmers pray for rain, I dreamed we could still make it, yes feels that way, this beautiful song has a lovely dreamy feel, beautiful harmonies too.
For Evermore - I can see your eyes.. I'll leave this one for the listener, I don't want to give away any clues about this track, only that it is another beautiful, heartfelt song, the conclusion has a familiar Neil style chord progression with haunting harmonies that reach your soul, I am yearning the ending would just go a few more minutes repeating those chords and harmonies.
The Manager - a nice slow feeling intro of contemplative chords, a story begins, enticing my ears to listen and wonder, did you take him for grated? An effective lead break with a touch of distortion, that time to wonder again, as I float into the next verse, into Neils world of words and music, that is like no other, a sudden end, yet with a good point to reflect on.
Rainbow Serpent and a Mine - an awesome rhythm , moves along, I want to dance around a fire with stomping feet to this song. Honest lyrics, with gentleness, a cry, listen closely, turn off distractions, and you may cry too.
My Yuendumu - an unexpected musical instument in this intro, and throughout in the breaks, once again, I can't write which instrument it is and give away the surprise ! So please just listen to the album for yourself, no peeps at other songs first, play it from the start to the finish. Enjoy the magic in the journey of this beautifully crafted album.
If the wind be kind - oh I love the acoustic guitar riff in the intro, in this gorgeous 3/4 tune. Oh yes, it takes me to the sea and I'm sailing and the boat is full of musicians, playing along with the sweetness to these most beautiful lyrics.
Well the album has finished, and as a Neil Murray fan myself, I wish there was more songs. However, I can press replay ! Not only that I can go back again and listen to Neil's nine other solo albums, and then I can listen to them all again. I can enjoy them everytime. As you will too, for fans that already know this to be true, and for new fans, you need to see Neil Murray live, solo or with his band line-up, as he is magnetic both on stage, and in his recordings.
I recommend buying CDs of Neils music and if you haven't got a CD player in your car, then get one ! Take a road trip for a few hours in the country and just dream and enjoy, however don't get carried away in your dream listening and miss your destination !
The Telling is availabe to stream at this link..
Neil Murray - The Telling 2023 Spotify
Have a look at Neil's website for information about ordering The Telling and past CD's...
Written by Fiona Honeyman
Vic Indie Music 23/4/2023
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