Joaquin Murphey
His Steel Guitar Hall of Fame plaque reads:
JOAQUIN MURPHEY
INTRODUCED JAZZ IMPROVISATION TO WESTERN SWING, DEVELOPED SINGLE STRING RIFFS INTO AN ART FORM, AND STYLIZED THE SKILL OF CHORD EXPRESSION.
BORN: DECEMBER 30, 1923 HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA
DIED: OCT. 25, 1999
INDUCTED: 1980
sorry, out of stock
"Murph"
Widely regarded as the best jazz steel player of his generation, Joaquin Murphey left the musical spotlight and lived in relative obscurity until Forum members Michael Johnstone and Chas Smith coaxed him to don the picks once more in 1995. Chas built him a custom pedal steel, and Michael found him some swinging musicians to jam with.
From 1996 to 1999, Joaquin recorded new compositions and old favorites at Michael's Class Act Studios. Then, on October 25, 1999, Earl James "Joaquin" Murphey passed away. This CD is the result of those final recording sessions of his life.
I can't find enough superlatives to describe this album. It swings and sways with big, beautiful chords and relaxed jazz phrasings. It is music of the big band era, with the steel guitar taking the part of the whole horn section. Murph had a perfect mastery of classic, pre-bop jazz. This is one CD that I never get tired of listening to.