Articles
Crescendo

From the President's Pen by Paul Sharpe Crescendo, London Musicians' Association, Feb /99

Another well known Murphy family member is making his own waves. Chris Murphy has just released his debut solo CD titled “Blowin’ The Horn”. This fine effort includes musical support from area musicians Colin Stewart, Doug Varty, John Knapp, Kenn Allison, Geoff Dahl, and Phil Murphy; as well as a number of prominent Toronto based musicians. Chris has been a member of our Local since 1982 and like his father before him, has served as a member of the Executive Board.

Maple Blues Magazine

New Releases by John Valenteyn Toronto Blues Society Maple Blues Magazine, Feb /99

Chris Murphy has been a mainstay of the London blues scene for quite a while now - his Speakeasy Productions encompasses booking, promotion, management and recordings; he plays tenor sax and keyboards with The Old Chicago Blues Band, taking the occasional vocal and he also co-hosts a popular local blues radio show. His label has CD's by Chicago Pete, two by the band and one from up & coming guitar ace Chris Chown. With Blowin' The Horn, he steps out front. Produced by Gary Kendall (also on bass) & Michael Fonfara (also featured on B3), the album will be a delight for fans of '50's honking R&B. The highlights for me are the instrumentals - "Lost In The Shuffle", "Juice For Junior" (for Jr. Walker), "Happy Guy" (with Fonfara on piano), the wonderfully-named "Bluesona Slonite" with music (and bass solo) by Gary Kendall and "Orange Brandy" with only Murphy on tenor & Fonfara on piano. In addition to Fonfara & Kendall, the band includes Steve Grisbrook on guitar and Jim Casson on drums. Three of the remaining songs are from Old Chicago Blues Band sessions, with Richard Knight & Doug Varty on vocals, although the liner notes are a little confusing here; and there are 13 songs, not 12.

Living the Blues

The blues started in Chicago but in London they live through Chris Murphy .

Playing the Blues by Wayne Glidden The Forest City News Oct/94

The blues were born in Chicago, and are living on in London at the Old Chicago Speakeasy. Don't be dissuaded by its description as a melancholic derivative of black folk music. It's upbeat, energetic, and it's easy to tell that the boys on stage are loving it. Doug Varty on guitar, Colin Stewart on bass, John Knapp on drums, and Chris Murphy blowing the sax, while occasionally tickling the electronic ivories.

Murphy's been playing for 22 years, previously hitting the road for six years with the Uptown Blooze. A one night stand at Old Chicago has turned into a 27 month (and counting) gig as the house band.

"We like it here and they like us", says Murphy, as evidenced by the raucous packed house one night last week. London is a very good blues town, and the style is the "biggest it's ever been" says Murphy. Last week, the feature was Douglas Watson, a blues singer from Chicago (right now he and the band are kicking up a pulsating tune by the Reverend Al Green). Will they wear out their welcome? "Probably," says Murphy, "but the line-ups are bigger than ever".

Other former Murphy bands include the Forest City Blues Band and Soul Sausage. He's happy to be settled down in his native London, after years of setting up, tearing down, and travelling on the road.

"(Touring) takes up a lot of time. A lot of driving, setting up, tearing down," he says. "(We can) learn a lot of songs here."

Finding gigs has never been a problem.

"I've been really lucky. I've always played and always played a lot," he says. "Every band I got in worked a lot. They always want us back."

While Murphy is courteous and forthcoming in an interview, the litmus test of his makeup is best seen on the stage, with the bright lights gleaming, and the floor speakers thundering. Inhibitions are scattered, and he plays the room with song intros, and a touch of vocals, but mostly with his wailing sax, which, as usual in blues, is almost totally improvised. "Everything's fun," he says, a point obvious from watching him on stage.

There seems to be a market for the live version of their music. Chris is making a living doing what he loves and what he does best. London's where it's at for him.

"I'm only going to leave when nothing's happening, and something's always happening," say Chris.

For proof, drop by the Old Chicago Speakeasy almost any night, and catch he and his bandmates in the act. You may just become hooked on the blues.