Customer Reviews

Song for the Geese

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just saw Mark at performance in Los Angeles. I said to him across the room, "You know what's your best album, Mark (he must have 30 to 40 out there)?" He said, "What?" I said, "Song for the Geese." He rushed over to me and shook my hand saying, "That's how I feel." Walking away he lamented, "But it's so hard to find that one."
As a great lover of music and as a musician,I know Mark is so very wonderful. I must have 25 of his albums. This is his best. One of my five desert island picks. So beautiful it gives chills. Consider yourself very lucky to find it.

This CD gives what could be considered uneven or with a little bit
in different directions to please on a variety of scales. I am one who believes the latter. From the easy flowing, "You go to my head", to the scat filled and upbeat, "Baltimore Oriole". I love the smooth beginning to the Steely Dan tune, "Do it again" before he steps it up to a faster groove. Mark is in great voice and style with "It's just talk,"
and "Blase". This is a great effort, one of Mark's best.

In this last recording , Mr Murphy sings better than ever. With an excellent latin/funk flavoured rythm section, he delivers us beautiful standards and a couple of pleasant surprises ( Steely Dan's "Do it again" being one of the best) . With this great album, Mark Murphy continues to feed the listeners with first quality pure jazz. In my point of view, he remains the best jazz vocalist living today.

This is definitely one of Mark's best releases in the last 15 years. Working closely with Roger Treece to create great background vocals Mark's voice shines and glimmers. Cuts of particluar interest should include "Song for the Geese", it's just talk, J.J. Johnson's "Lament", and Sugar. Listen to the harmonicly thick background vocals which help create this lush texture.

I recommend this CD to those who enjoy pure jazz vocalists. I recently had the opportunity to see Mark Murphy perform in an intimate restaurant setting in Cleveland Hts.,OH. He said SONG FOR THE GEESE was his favorite album. He performed two selections from it: "You Go To My Head" and Sondheim's "I Remember" and they were both wonderful. On the CD I also enjoy the up-tempo "Do It Again" and the slower "Lament" with it's choir like backround vocals. Mr. Murphy's singing is as genuine and soulful as anything out there these days and this CD does not dissapoint.

I purchased this CD a few years ago and really love the selections particularly the song "I Remmember". I saw Mark in Boston in 2006 and I was very disappointed with his show. Nonetheless, I really enjoy his "different" style, his passion for the music and interpetations.