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Mark Murphy: Live in Athens, Greece
ByMurphy remained current and above the trend-based fray(s) for most of his career, starting before and with Rah (Riverside, 1961) and That's How I Love The Blues (Riverside, 1963), continuing with a string of classic albums for Muse in the '70s and '80, and lasting all the way up to and through a pair of

Till Bronner
trumpetb.1971
Live In Athens, Greece presents previously unreleased material recorded during a three-night stand at the titular locale's Gazarte Club in April of 2008. It's Murphy at his off-the-cuff finest. If you're looking to hear him in his strongest voice and/or at his most polished, go someplace else. But if you want to stare at quicksilver and command in human form, this is the place to do it.
This playlist suggests safety, with Murphy and company sticking to the classics, but the execution and elocution tell a different story. Murphy was never one to repeat himself, so even lifelong favorites and signature statements"Milestones," "On The Red Clay," "On Green Dolphin Street"sound fresh here. Things aren't perfectpianist Thomas Rueckert's rippling piano current fails to shift on the mark with bassist George Georgiadis near the outset of "All Blues," Murphy has to verbalize a request for the next chord during "When I Fall In Love/My One And Only Love," some vocal gymnastic displays don't end with flawless dismountsbut issues like that are of little consequence. Those earthly concerns are rendered mute when Murphy sweeps you up into the stratosphere.
Minor miscues aside, the band does a fine job following, mirroring, and/or directing the action. Featured guitarist
Spiros Exaras
guitarTrack Listing
My Funny Valentine; All Blues; On Green Dolphin Street; Summertime; Autumn Leaves; When I Fall In Love/My One And Only Love; Bye Bye Blackbird; Miles; Milestones; On The Red Clay; Intuil Paisagem/Dindi.
Personnel
Mark Murphy
vocalsMark Murphy: vocals; Spiros Exaras: electric guitar; Alex Drakos: drums; George Georgiadis: acoustic bass.
Album information
Title: Live in Athens, Greece | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Harbinger
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