Mark Murphy Sings is a 1975 studio album by Mark Murphy.
Contents
Background
Jon Hendricks wrote lyrics to John Coltrane's "Naima" (Tell Me the Truth, Arista, 1975). But for this release Murphy uses his own new lyrics. Producer, broadcaster Michael Bourne wrote, "He envisioned the song as a ceremonial incantation". Murphy said, "Did you ever read that Tom Tryon book about the village? It's all about this group of Cornish people who emigrated to America around 1650 and holed up in this little Connecticut village where time just passed them by. Nobody knows they're here, and they simply never veered from the worship of the Earth Mother. That's what I thought of doing the song. The end refrain goes 'Naima, timeless name for a timeless woman.' It's like the very first earth goddess, the very first religion."
Reception
The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow said that "This CD reissue brings back one of singer Mark Murphy's best all-round sessions...Murphy is heard throughout in prime form, constantly stretching himself"
DownBeat assigned the album 4 stars. In his review Chuck Berg says Murphy has "an ability to cast evocative spells, a unique voice quality with distinctive raspy overtones, impeccable musicianship (his intonation and phrasing are virtually faultless), and a taste for challenging material and accomplished musicians". The review singles out "Naima", "Young and Foolish" and "Maiden Voyage" as highlights.
Track listing
"On the Red Clay" (Freddie Hubbard, Murphy) – 4:35
"Naima" (John Coltrane) – 4:49
"Body and Soul" (Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour) – 5:15
"Young and Foolish" (Albert Hague, Arnold B. Horwitt) – 2:49
"Empty Faces" (Lani Hall, Milton Nascimento) – 5:15
"Maiden Voyage" (Herbie Hancock) – 5:26
"How Are You Dreaming?" (Bob Crewe, A. Shatkin) – 4:29
"Cantaloupe Island" (Hancock, Murphy) – 5:35
Personnel
Performance
Mark Murphy – vocals
David Matthews – arranger
Harvie S – double bass
Jimmy Madison – drums
Don Grolnick – fender rhodes, keyboards, organ, piano
Joe Puma – guitar
Sue Evans – percussion
David Sanborn – alto saxophone
Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
Randy Brecker – trumpet
Production
Hal Wilson – art direction, illustrations
Wieslaw Woszczyk – engineer, remixing
Michael Bourne – liner notes, LP
Dave Helland – liner notes, CD reissue
Helen Keane – producer