Orla Murphy: Wonderous Visions

Rating: ★★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Tristan Mailliot (d)
Jonathan Gee (p)
Andy Hamill (db)
Orla Murphy (v)

Label:

Golden Records

May/2012

Catalogue Number:

GLDRM2735

RecordDate:

2011

Orla Murphy's fi ne tribute to one of music's greatest songsmiths presents a superb cross-section of classic Wonder songs that no amount of repetition will dull. Culled in the main from his classic albums Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness’ First Finale and Songs in the Key of Life, the album kicks off with a terrifi c interpretation of ‘All I Do’, in which we only get to hear the chorus hook sung in its entirety right at the death. It's the musical equivalent of tantric sex. The entirely skip-proof collection also features the singer's gorgeous, long-lined phrasing in ‘Another Star’, a delightful, gently swinging waltz-time version of ‘Visions’ complete with harmonica solo courtesy of Andy Hamill (who also contributes the robust and singing bass lines). Murphy's wonderfully rich timbre and warm vibrato are heard to especially telling effect on the lyrical riches of slower material such as ‘Heaven Help Us All’, ‘Seems So Long’ and ‘They Won't Go When I Go’. Murphy herself contributes the fi ne original ‘Timeless’ (co-composed with Steve Lodder), an affectionate autobiographical account of a young girl growing up in 1980s Belfast and her response to hearing the music of Wonder for the fi rst time. If you haven't heard Murphy yet, then Wonderous Visions – her second album – should defi nitely make it on to your wish list.

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