“murphy_jimmy”
Jimmy Murphy
Electricity
Sugar Hill
This guy is a true throwback to the great old late-Forties to early-Fifties country music. There’s none of that modern Nashville sound that, as Bill Monroe might say, “ain’t no part of nuthin’.” Murphy embodies many of the qualities of Hank Williams and the Louvin Brothers (the title song, “Electricity,” recalls the Louvin Brothers’ “The Great Atomic Power”), with a smooth picking style that at times recalls Merle Travis. The themes are all of another time, as well. Jimmy Murphy ain’t the least bit afraid of dying, because he knows he’ll meet his Sweet Jesus when he does. Murphy includes a healthy sampling of old Hank Williams-style blues, and a healthy sampling of “Sweet Jesus”-themed songs as well as a “Stomp.”
All but two of these songs were penned or arranged by Martin. Some of these songs are not politically correct by today’s standards. “Mother, Where is Your Daughter Tonight” points to the mother’s failure to whip the daughter when she wanted her way as a child as the reason the daughter is now out “destroying her life drinkin’ whiskey and beer.” If you really and truly like that old Hank Williams and Louvin Brothers stuff, you’ll love this. If you are among the uninitiated, you might find this release just a little bit scary or surreal.
