Shaun Murphy – I’m Coming Home | Album Review

Shaun Murphy – I’m Coming Home

Vision Wall Records

https://shaunmurphyband.com

12 tracks

Shaun Murphy is the consummate singer and performer. Her solo career us exceptional, producing many a great album and touring the world to sing here songs. A career built on wonderful experiences singing with Meatloaf, Eric Clapton, Little Feat and Bob Seger gives her the presence and moxie to captivate audiences with her music.  She delivers her stuff with authority and knows how to make the crowds beg for more. She’s a three-time Grammy nominee and two-time Blues Blast award winner.

Mixing blues, rock, soul and Americana, Murphy gives us a dozen tracks of new stuff and some super covers. This is her eleventh album and her music is as fresh and cool as ever. She sings with passion and complete control. She is an amazing performer and her band is up to the task of supporting her. They are all outstanding musicians in their own right.

Joining Shaun here are here bandmates Tommy Stillwell and Kenne Cramer on guitars and vocals, Kevin McKendree on keys, Tom DelRossi on drums and vocals, and John Marcus on bass. Murphy of course handles the lead vocals and the tambourine.

“One More Last Time” opens the album. Stinging guitar and smoking hot vocals get your heart started and Shaun and the band give us their all. The sultry, slow blues of “Linger A Little Longer” follows. Murphy and McKendree set the mood vocally and on organ in this beautiful ballad. Some pretty sax is added by Dana Robbins.

“The title track is next. It’s another slick ballad with McKendree on piano and Murphy on vocals who get the tune rolling. Austin Hoke is on cello which adds a beautiful feel to the cut. The trio of musicians deliver a memorable performance on this stripped down but intense song. “If I Knew Then” is slow, bluesy number that builds nicely with vocals, guitar, piano and organ.

“Keep Your Head Above Water” is next, a song with a cool spiritual feel as the backing vocals provide haunting stuff behind Shaun. There’s some slick guitar to savor here, too. Next is “Lover Take All” with a honky-tonk sound, ringing guitar and hot organ and piano. Murphy sings with emotion and the boys add their vocal touches.

“High Price To Pay” features some big, ringing guitar licks as Shaun sings with resolve about the price that must be paid in the relationship she sings about. Lots of great guitar soling here to enjoy and the backing organ work is also intense. “If You Still Love Me” is more laid back with some cool guitar and breathy vocals. The intensity slowly builds up as Murphy and the band deliver another fine performance.

”I’m Not Made That Way” is an up tempo and rollicking song with a gutsy performance by Murphy. Hot vocals and guitars make this one a lot of rocking good fun. Up next is “Evil Memory,” a slow and thoughtful piece about bad memories from a soured relationship. Things build to a big finish as the guitar ring and Murphy howls.

“Too Many Lovers” has a bit of a funky beat as Murphy bemoans about to many problems in the world today. Too many lovers doesn’t sound like a bad problem, but she notes that there is not enough love to go with them.  It’s a cool Denise Lasalle cut. Things conclude with “When Is The Rain Gonna End.” Another slower track, Murphy sings with passion and the band helps keep the mood. Murphy sings about the desire for the weight to be removed from her shoulders and end the figurative rainstorm of emotions.

This is another great album by Shaun Murphy. Her band is stellar, the songs are engaging and done well, and she sings with the grit and passion of a woman who knows exactly how to deliver a song. She and her band do a superb job here; any lover of great contemporary blues will eat this up – it’s a fantastic album that I most highly recommend!

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