Nola Blue Records Sets June 21 Release for Double Album, True Blues Brother: The Legacy of Matt “Guitar” Murphy
Producer Bob Christina’s Caravan of Roots Music Icons Celebrate with Historic 23-Song Homage to a Master
LANCASTER, PA – After nearly forty years of musical and personal camaraderie, drummer and producer Bob Christina began studio work with Matt “Guitar” Murphy on what would become Murphy’s final project. After Matt passed in June of 2018, the fate of the unfinished project was placed in Christina’s hands. He began an outreach to musicians who were friends of Murphy, played with him, or were otherwise influenced by him. The response was overwhelming, with no less than 72 outstanding musicians represented on True Blues Brother: The Legacy of Matt “Guitar” Murphy set for a June 21st release date by Nola Blue Records. The label plans to release the album’s first single on April 26 (“Way Down South” – a Bandcamp exclusive) and the second single (“I’m Gonna Make You Mine”) on May 24.
This historic 23-song double album includes Murphy’s final three studio recordings, a new song written and performed by multi-Grammy-winner Tom Hambridge, and the work of Murphy’s friends Joe Beard and Billy Boy Arnold in the studio together for the first time. Featured artists include Doyle Bramhall II, Fran Christina & The Original Roomful of Blues, Steve Cropper, Ronnie Earl, Sax Gordon, Jaimoe, Bill Kirchen, Chuck Leavell, Bob Margolin, James Montgomery, Tracy Nelson, Johnny Nicholas, Christine Ohlman, Lee Oskar, Jerry Portnoy, Duke Robillard, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, Toni Lynn Washington and many more.
Murphy was born in Sunflower, Mississippi, on December 29, 1929, and raised in Memphis. He moved to Chicago in 1948. Widely known for his appearance in The Blues Brothers movie and performing with The Blues Brothers band, Murphy’s blues career was launched by the early 1950s and encompasses work with Howlin’ Wolf, Little Junior Parker, Memphis Slim, and countless other titans of blues history. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2012. Murphy died on June 15, 2018 at age 88.
Westerly, Rhode Island, native son Bob Christina grew up in a large family, where he was first introduced to the blues at a young age by watching his older brother, Fran Christina, on drums practicing with his friends in their basement. The year was 1967 and those friends were none other than Al Copley on piano, Duke Robillard on guitar and Larry Peduzzi on bass: the original Roomful of Blues band. By the time he was 15 and after a few months of guitar lessons, Bob got some of his brother’s hand-me-down drums and made the switch to drumming. During his 40 years as a performing artist, Christina has also developed “Bobby Christina’s Caravan,” a well-regarded entertainment brand of shows and events. On June 23, the Caravan will host its 15th “Mitchfest,” an annual fundraiser for Hope Hospice and Palliative Care of Rhode Island. More than 40 musicians will perform at this eagerly anticipated annual event, to be held at Hygenic Art in New London, Connecticut. “Mitchfest 15” will also be the official album release party for True Blues Brother: The Legacy of Matt “Guitar” Murphy.
“It is a distinct honor to add True Blues Brother: The Legacy of Matt ‘Guitar’ Murphy to the Nola Blue Records catalog,” says Sallie Bengston, Nola Blue president. “The label began in 2014 with the mission of bringing widespread recognition to Benny Turner, one of many blues artists who never got the individual recognition or support for which he so deserves. We have continued to advance that goal over the last decade, releasing music from artists including the late Cash McCall, GRAMMY nominee Frank Bey (RIP), Trudy Lynn, Lil’ Jimmy Reed and more. This historic project is by far the most comprehensive legacy project we have worked with to date, and the caliber of musicians involved only underscores the widespread admiration and respect for Matt ‘Guitar’ Murphy within the music community. We look forward to honoring the legacy of Matt, his music and his career accomplishments with this monumental project.”
“After more than a dozen performances with Matt over a three year period, I asked if he would like to go into the studio and let me produce and record 12 songs,” remembers Bob Christina. “He was very excited, since his last album was recorded more than ten years earlier. The album’s initial concept was to record songs of artists he either played with or influenced, along with some special guests. We were able to complete one session, but Matt passed away one week before our final session. Determined to do my best to honor such a musical genius and wonderful person, two weeks later I began contacting others to join the project. With the tremendous response and outpouring of love for Matt, our original 12 song project grew to this double album. It was a blessing to share the stage with Matt and have him as a True Blues Brother. RIP Big Man.”
True Blues Brother: The Legacy of Matt “Guitar” Murphy will be available in digital, CD and blue vinyl formats. Preorders begin April 26. Visit truebluesbrother.com and follow on Facebook @truebluesbrother for all related news and updates.
Volume One
- Matt’s Boogie (2:23)+ Matt Murphy © Chicken Wang Pub
Guitar – Matt “Guitar” Murphy; Guitar – Ricky “King” Russell; Organ – Bruce Bears; Bass – Bob Worthington; Drums – Fran Christina
2. You Never Can Tell (3:04)* Chuck Berry © BMG Platinum Songs o/b/o Arc. Music Corp. Vocals – Dave Howard; Background Vocals – Michelle Brett; Guitar – Neal Vitullo; The Mitchfest Horns: Dave Cafro – Trumpet, Doc Chanonhouse – Trumpet, Klem Klimek – Tenor Saxophone; Keyboard – Richard Reed; Bass – Tommy Reed; Drums – Bob Christina
3. I Feel Alright Again (3:00)*Deadric Malone © Songs of Universal
Vocals – Brian Templeton; Guitar – Nick Adams; Tenor Saxophone – Collin Tilton; Keyboard – Johnny Juxo; Bass – Dean Cassell; Drums – Bob Christina
- Mother Earth (4:04) Lewis Simpkins and Peter Chatman © BMG Platinum Songs US dba Arc Music
Vocals and Piano – Johnny Nicholas; Guitar and Mandolin – Scrappy Jud Newcomb; Fiddle – Danny Levin; Bass – Bruce Hughes; Drums – Fran Christina; Engineered at Ice Cream Factory: Austin, TX; Mixed by Stuart Sullivan (Wire Recording) and Fran Christina
5. I’m Lost Without You (2:59)* Peter Chatman © Wixen o/b/o Memphis Slim Music
Vocals and Drums – Fran Christina; Guitar – Bill “Fox” Mills; Tenor Saxophone – Greg Piccolo, Piano – Al Copley; Bass – Marty Ballou
6. Something’s Got a Hold on Me (3:36)+ Pearl Woods, Etta James and Leroy Kirkland © EMI Longitude Music
Vocals – Christine Ohlman (The Beehive Queen); Guitar – Cliff Goodwin; Guitar – Ricky “King” Russell; Bass – Bob Worthington; Drums – Bob Christina
7. Peter Gunn I (0:41)* Henry Mancini © Universal Music Corp. o/b/o Northridge Music Co.
Guitar – Neal Vitullo; The Mitchfest Horns: Dave Cafro – Trumpet; Bob Hassen – Baritone Sax; Doc Chanonhouse – Trumpet, Klem Klimek – Tenor Sax; Keyboards – Dicky Reed; Bass – Tommy Reed; Drums – Bob Christina
8. I Can’t Quit You Baby (5:34)* Willie Dixon © BMG Bumblebee o/b/o Hoochie Coochie Music
Vocals – Phil Diiorio; Guitar – Troy Mercy; Harmonica – James Montgomery; Bass – Marty Ballou, Drums – Bob Christina;
9. Think (4:00)* Aretha Franklin and Ted White © Springtime Music and Fourteenth Hour Music
Vocals – Toni Lynn Washington; Vocals – Lisa Marie; Guitar – Chris Leigh; The Mitchfest Horns: Doug James – Baritone Saxophone, Gordon “Sax” Beadle – Tenor Saxophone; Keyboards – Rufus Davis; Bass – Tommy Reed; Drums – Bob Christina
10. Way Down South (4:36) Floyd Murphy and Matt Murphy © Chicken Wang Pub
Vocals and Piano – Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne; Guitar – Steve Cropper; Guitar – Enrico Crivellaro; Harmonica – Lee Oskar; Hammond Organ – Mati Vaarmann; Bass – Felton Crews; Drums – Jaak Ahelik; Engineered, Mixed and Produced by Jaak Ahelik at Lament Studio, Estonia
11. Suffering Soul (2:58)* Guy Browley and Maurice Simpkins © Confidential Compositions
Guitar – Ronnie Earl; Guitar – Nick Adams; Keyboard – Ron Levy; Drums – Jaimoe; Drums – Bob Christina
12. Jack Rabbit Boy (2:02) Richard Fleming Francis and Thomas Jay Hambridge © Richard Fleming Music and Tom Hambridge Tunes
Vocals and Drums – Tom Hambridge; Guitar – Rob McNelly; Bass – Tommy MacDonald Engineered Mixed and Produced by Tom Hambridge, Nashville, TN
Volume Two
- Matt’s Shuffle (4:59)+
Guitar – Matt “Guitar” Murphy; Organ – Bruce Bears; Bass – Bob Worthington;
Drums – Bob Christina - Evil (3:42)* Willie Dixon © BMG Bumblebee o/b/o Hoochie Coochie Music
Vocals – Craig Rawding; Guitar – Bob Margolin; Harmonica – Jerry Portnoy; Piano – Chuck Leavell; Drums – Bob Christina - Rocket 88 (2:46)* Jackie Brenston © Anne Rachel Music Corp. and Unichappell Music, Inc.
Vocals – Craig Rawding; Guitar – Bill Kirchen; Guitar – Mike Williams; The Mitchfest Horns: Doug James – Baritone Saxophone, Doc Chanonhouse – Trumpet, Gordon “Sax” Beadle – Tenor Saxophone; Piano – Chuck Leavell; Bass – Marty Ballou; Drums – Bob Christina - Sugar on the Floor (4:33)+ Pauline Matthews © Universal Music – Mgb Songs o/b/o Rocket Music Ltd
Vocals – Christine Ohlman (The Beehive Queen); Guitar – Cliff Goodwin; Guitar – Ricky “King” Russell; Violin – Jessica Mancuso; Bass – Bob Worthington; Drums – Bob Christina - Lonesome (2:51)* Peter Chatman © Wixen o/b/o Memphis Slim Music
Vocals and Drums – Fran Christina; Guitar – Duke Robillard; Sax – Greg Piccolo; Piano – Al Copley; Bass – Marty Ballou - Same Old Blues (4:17)* Don Nix © Irving Music, Inc. A/C Deerwood MusicVocals – Tracy Nelson; Choir – The Refine Singers (Melody Forrest, Roslyn Cambell, Angel Cooper) Guitar – Tom Ferraro; Piano – Chuck Leavell; Bass – Tommy Reed; Drums – Bob Christina
- Give Me Time (3:48)Tony Romeo ©BMG Platinum Songs US o/b/o Conrad Music and BMG Bumblebee o/b/o Leric Music Inc.
Vocals, Guitar, Bass – Doyle Bramhall II; Backing Vocals, Drums – Fran Christina; Keyboards – Anthony Farrell; Engineered by Sam Patlove at Buds Recording: Dallas, TX; Mixed by Stuart Sullivan and Fran Christina at Wire Recording Studio: Austin, TX; Produced by Fran Christina and Doyle Bramhall II - Shake A Tailfeather (2:15)* Verlie Rice, Otha Hayes and Andre Williams © Spirit One Music o/b/o Vapac Music Publishing Inc.
Vocals – Nick David; Background Vocals – Lisa Marie and DD Bastos; Guitar – Chris Leigh; The Mitchfest Horns: Bob Hassen – Baritone Saxophone, Dave Cafro – Trumpet, Klem Klimek – Tenor Saxophone; Keyboard – Johnny Juxo; Bass – Tommy Reed; Drums – Bob Christina - Tired of Sleeping Alone (5:01)+ Ricky “King” Russell
Vocals and Guitar – Ricky “King” Russell; Guitar – Matt “Guitar” Murphy; The Mitchfest Horns: Bob Hassen – Baritone Saxophone, Paul Lieberman – Tenor Saxophone, Doc Chanonhouse – Trumpet, Josh Kane – Trombone; Bass – Bob Worthington; Drums – Bob Christina - Peter Gunn II (0:50)* Henry Mancini © Universal Music Corp. o/b/o Northridge Music Co.
Guitar – Neal Vitullo; The Mitchfest Horns: Dave Cafro – Trumpet, Bob Hassen – Baritone Saxophone, Doc Chanonhouse – Trumpet, Klem Klimek – Tenor Saxophone; Keyboards – Dicky Reed; Bass – Tommy Reed; Drums – Bob Christina - Let Me Hang Around (3:07)^ McKinley Morganfield © Sony/ATV Songs LLC o/b/o Watertoons Music
Vocals and Guitar – Joe Beard; Guitar – Chris Beard; Harmonica – Billy Boy Arnold; Bass – Brian Leach; Drums – Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith - You Wasn’t Doin’ Too Good (4:48)^ Joe Beard
Joe Beard; Vocals and Guitar – Joe Beard; Harmonica – Billy Boy Arnold
+Engineered by Jack Gauthier at Lakewest Recording Studios: West Greenwich, RI
Mixed by Jack Gauthier and Bobby Christina
* Engineered by Andrew Cruz at Mercury Floor Studio: Pawcatuck, CT
Mixed by Andrew Cruz and Bobby Christina
(Except “Lost Without You” and “Lonesome” – Mixed by Stuart Sullivan and Fran Christina at Wire Recording: Austin, TX)
^ Engineered by Brian Leach at Joyride Studio: Chicago, IL
Mixed by Brian Leach and Bobby Christina
Produced by Bobby Christina: Volume One tracks 1-3, 6-9, 11; Volume Two tracks 1-4, 6, 8-12
Produced by Fran Christina: Volume One track 4, Volume Two track 17
Produced by Bobby Christina and Fran Christina: Volume One tracks 5
Mastered by Blaise Barton at Joyride Studio: Chicago, IL
Hi-Res Cover: http://www.markpuccimedia.com/True-Blues-Brother-Hi-Res-CD-Cover-scaled.jpg
Hi-Res Matt Guitar Murphy Photo by Peter Jordan: http://www.markpuccimedia.com/Matt-Murphy-Hi-Res-Photo-by-Peter-Jordan-scaled.jpg
