Shaun Murphy

Loretta
Vision Wall Records

Sure, Shaun Murphy has worked with greats like Bob Seger and Eric Clapton, as well as her long-time stint as vocalist with Little Feat. But it is her solo recordings that have really placed her as an artist of note with her perfectly executed take on the blues. Loretta is her sixth solo disc and she shines brightly throughout. With emotional interludes that range from heartbreak to warnings, Murphy holds no punches and draws you within her lyrics to live the tales alongside her.

With an all-star cast of many of Nashville’s finest sidemen, that range from guitarists including former Allman Brothers Band’s Jack Pearson, Foghat’s Jimi Fiano and Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band’s Rob McNelly, to session drummer George Lilly and keyboard master Larry Van Loon, Murphy has a capable cast of artists that enhance her vocals to a tee.

Mostly the song selections are her own originals with a few choice covers like “I Pity The Fool,” “How Strong Is A Woman” and “Big Train Stops At Memphis.” There is plenty to find attractive about the tracks included. Highlighted material have to showcase numbers like “Kiss Me Like Whiskey” where she wants to savor your taste on her tongue like a fine whiskey; the foreboding of “Loretta” who as a married woman has a wandering eye that will be the demise of either herself or her husband if he should find out; there’s also her own cheating partner in “Should Be Hard To Love You” but it seems no matter how much he does her wrong, she always lets him return to her; and yet on “Go Away” maybe she has found the strength to just let him know that he’s no longer needed or welcome.

The only thing that I find alarming about Shaun Murphy’s latest recording is that I didn’t pick it up earlier. Released last spring I kick myself for not letting this fine album reach my player sooner. No fault of Murphy’s, because she has been consistently outstanding on all of her solo releases. And Loretta just may be the best to come from her to date. Great playing, great singing and great song selection. Okay, let’s just say overall this is a “great” disc!

Total Time: 47:09

Don’t Lie To Me / I Pity The Fool / Kiss Me Like Whiskey / Loretta / Strange Life / Hard Working Man / Big Train Stops At Memphis / Should Be Hard To Love You / Careful They Say / Go Away / 24 Hours From Memphis / How Strong Is A Woman