Showing posts with label Elliott Murphy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elliott Murphy. Show all posts

10/1/25

Elliott Murphy’s “Night Surfing” Music Video

 


6/26/25

2025 Summer Missive of New Music from Anne Leighton's Superhero Songwriters

The Most Beautiful Thing in the World (Praxilla) Keira Naughton (on Robin Batteau's "Banned In Sparta," a collaborative album with classic Greek poets, one Roman one, and contemporary Folk Singer-songwriters)  acoustic guitar, gentle female vocals, nature and eloquent lyrics, remembrance of "the most beautiful thing in the world.    Only the thing you leave behind"  "I was your harvest, you were mine." "You were my adonis-you astonish-- me."  Note: This tracks will be embedded mid July after this album's release.

Sleep Alone  Izzy Meth  I believe this could be a great "Song of the Winter." Acoustic, light instruments, gentle tenor with reverb, descriptive lyrical setting in winter and contrast one how he's a young man in love with trouble sleeping 'cause his yearning and morning are still here. "I don't want to sleep alone anymore." 


Top of the Rainbow Tom Ciurczak  horns, vocal, tenor-clear distinctive male vocals, like "Toby Beau," a break up song, "I was on top of the rainbow with you, I don't understand when you said you were leaving," self doubt  yacht rock/nu-coast.  


2 Pianos Phoebe Legere piano, female singing voice, coaxing piano w/ ice melting, French and English, slow ballad, oceans, memory flashback piano on the tongue of the world to give it a voice. This song is finding its way in soundtracks for Phoebe's collaborations like her new multi-award winning short "The Gender Symphony."    

 

Immigrant Blues  Dan Berggren  folk, banjo, male baritone, simple story song of how immigrants have struggled here and in coming to our country, and those before us are immigrants.  Here's a live performance of Dan's song. Dan was awarded a Lifetime Achievement honor from the Albany NY-region's Eddie Music Awards.

Get My Thing Going  Art Edwards  famous for The Refreshments. This is from a 2024 album, "The Brightness of an Ordinary Star." forward motion,grunge vocals & band with British invasion rhythm, male vocals  "When I finally get my thing going, you're see the best in me." alludes to other worldly torments like the world ending. The Brightness of an Ordinary Star | Art Edwards

Count My Blessings   Elliott Murphy  acoustic guitar, harmonica, narrative voice kindred to Tom Waits.  a bluesy "comfort solution" for a guy that needs reality check for a breakup or his own life, using cowboy imagery and urban issues, "this town's a widow maker" "get out of dodge"


I Am Like a Mountain  Micaela Kingslight   Soft and meditational-inspired rock-pop, vocal percussion and finger-snaps, celestial, female vocals (harmonies)  "I am like a mountain breathing in, breathing in.... I know."  "water, ocean, strong."   


Just Enough   Rachael Sage  mid-tempo Hammond B3 and soulful instruments, gentle female vocal, fresh song about feeling love, every time you touch me, I feel love.  "It feels my cup, just enough shalalala"   

 


 

 

 

 

3/20/25

Holiday Songs - Christmas, New Years & a Sarcastic Birthday Tune

 


Every Little Light, The Slambovian Circus of Dreams 
For covers and radio only as this song lifts “Do You Hear What I Hear?” male vocal, Christmas folk-rock, with bells and electric guitar, open hearts, "wish the whole world were friends" celebration of lights on Christmas night, the importance of individuals, thinking like a child, peace, love for the whole world.

Robeone Christmas (instrumental) Robeone triumphant Christmas instrumental, all keyboards Used: Korg Karma. Mellotron 4000D, Roli Seaboard, Expressive E Osmose, Yamaha S80, Technics KN7000, Moog Sub 37, Kurtzweil K2000, ASM Hydrasynth  

Santa’s My Mum  Tony Moore thoughtful anthem ballad w/ bells, male vocal, this song pays tribute to his mom, keeping alive her tradition of perfect childhood Christmases, and he snuck down the stairs early in the morning and she was there, keeping him quiet. 

New Year  Izzy Meth tenor young voice, Kind of Mumford meets Lumineers meets Bob Dylan melody, about New Years, hopeful lyrics that could be about untapped potential or sticking to resolutions even though we know we should, seeking goodness in the new year, mentions "g-d"  


Just Another Birthday Song  Dean Friedman
 music hall meets pop, tenor, witty, fun jabs at the birthday boy, "give thanks that your dad wasn't shooting blanks." "thank your mom for pushing you out." Mentions “isolation” from the Pandemic era

Glory to the Newborn King  Erin Hannon / Stephen Melillo classical music with a full lyric soprano that rolls her rrrrs, and "Sleep In Heavenly Peace"   

Five Days of Christmas  Elliott Murphy The story of Linear coming off his meds and coming to visit an easy-to-anger brother over the holidays. Bad boys, gangster, visual lyrical storytelling. 

2/1/25

Love & Valentines

Love We Need You Here Tony Moore slow, acoustic with ambient sound, keyboards, electric guitar build up, like a Pink Floyd ballad, It's a prayer to a higher power, "love remove the fear... don't leave us lost and alone." 


Love Will Blind a Woman  Suzahn Fiering gentle acoustic song, sort of young Joni Mitchell tones, "Love will blind a woman though she knows it ain't right" about a gal smitten by a charming guy, 'even tho' she knows it ain't right" https://open.spotify.com/track/3SPPgUVPHOGOoCSC2l9ahE?si=ae6bb27a0f4b43a4


Tell Me, Elliott Murphy rock, song, electric guitar, male vocals like Lou Reed, "tell me" is the hook. The guy is fighting not to end a relationship, and find ways to stay close to his soon-to-be- ex lover



Made for You Phoebe Legere upbeat female vocal, made for you, can't you see I was made for you. From "Toxic Avenger"

 
Chasing Leaves Joe Matera instrumental, guitars and keys including synthesizer, treated guitar, ambient, midtempo, repeated themes with a little variation.


 Fallin’ In Love  Jenn Cristy  seductive female vocals, R&B, funky bass & drums, has majestic piano solo, similar rhythms to "Tighten Up" foreplay, losing myself in the music of love, "baby we could fall in love" 


A Rose for Your Stone The Kings  male vocals, Americana with horns and accordion, spaghetti western sounding, a winning gunslinger returns home to find his true love is dead, all he can give her is a rose for her (tomb) stone   


Love Killer  Jaclyn Bradley   lush, slow tempo, dream pop alto female vocals, ambient, Madonna tones, theme of loving and losing, love killer, let it all hang out, I'm here for the dream of love

Love the Bodies We’re In  Jaclyn Bradley  female vocals, acoustic guitar, gentle tempo, intimacy, song on self-love and intimate connection "love the bodies we're in" "crawl into my bones, give me your skin"


11/30/24

Christmas Music, 2024

 

The Light  Elliott Murphy acoustic, Christmas sounds melding with chime-y guitars, male vocalist kindred to Tom Waits, "seeing the light at the end of the tunnel" living in hope, "break from the news" "this world is so transitional," "metaphysical." "cross over that mystical boundary." 

 

I Ruined Christmas  Refestramus  Contemporary art-rock band, female fronted-vocals like Miley Cyrus, bells, "I ruined Christmas this year...It's like I told you before, it won't happen again, my dear."  This is a list of things she's done to reindeer, family members, and the eggnog!  


Today and All The New Year Dan Berggren “Greensleeves,” acoustic guitar and tambourine, sung by a tenor and backup voices with updated lyrics for the New Year, “may we all of humanity live in harmony and find strength in diversity….”, aiming for good deeds Today and All the New Year | Dan Berggren

Joy to The World Rachael Sage  gentle soprano like a young Olivia Newton John’s delivery, music like Regina Spektor’s “Joy to the world” with pulse, cello is rhythm instrument and strings, guitar, light accordion “Joy!Joy!”    


Joy to the World I Guess  Rebecca Loebe and Findlay Napier  This song is about people’s arguments through during the holiday season, and the resolutions we make to fight less, “Joy to the world I guess….  There are friends we no longer will see in the holidays, because they’re shadows in the moonlight on the lawn.”   

loebenapier.bandcamp.com/track/joy-to-the-world-i-guess-2


Happy Merry Everything John Roy Zat  talking country folk w/ bells and guitar, conversational male vocals, "we're all a little different,we're all a lot alike" benediction for Happy Merry Everything, "I wish the best for you." joyful attitude w/ Christmas bells!  soundcloud.com/roy-zat/happy-merry-everything









Why Can’t Everyday Be Like Christmas? - Tang  female vocals.  Pop: Denny Colt sings in a sweet, girl-next door voice and range similar to Cassadee Pope’s or Emma Roberts.  (We have punk hard rock and pop versios of the song, too!)https://soundcloud.com/bad-pacrecords/why-cant-everyday-be-like-christmas_ballad?si=250657e72707477eaa94e926ed06ba38&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing  

Christmas in My Pocket  Lillias White, vocals theatrical pop, declarative female vocals (proclaiming and belting) that all the gems of Christmas in her pocket. "Fill your pockets"  "dig in dig in, what do you see? Santa wants what's in her pocket! "A Christmas wish for all mankind!"  


One Wish Michael Veitch w/ Kirsti Gholson male & female duet, midtempo, light pop, one wish for Christmas day is peace. 

 

6/24/24

Elliott Murphy “Old-Timer”

 

In celebration of turning seventy-five last March and in conjunction with his “50 years on the road” anniversary (with over forty albums and three-thousand shows all around the world), rock ‘n roll legend Elliott Murphy has released a new single "Old-Timer" on all streaming platforms.

OLD TIMER WAS inspired by Elliott’s annual “Birthday Shows” in Paris (where he has lived for the last 35 years).  As he tells it: “Last March, I received a splendid birthday blast-off during my annual sold-out two-night soiree at the fabled New Morning club in my adopted hometown of Paris and I wanted to write and perform a song especially for that momentous occasion. New Morning is my home away from home as I’ve been playing there steadily for over thirty years now (joining the ranks of such notables as Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Chet Baker and even Prince who have graced its historic stage). I was inspired to write “Old-Timer” just a week before my shows, as a kind of self-congratulatory birthday song from me to myself. It was my last song of the night, and the audience reaction was so heartwarming that I went right into my son Gaspard Murphy’s studio to record it the following week.”

The introduction to the song is an energetic acoustic guitar riff slowing down, and then the lyrics begin.  Elliott says the arrangement reflects the lyrics. “I wanted the song to represent ageing as a visceral function of slowing down so I asked my producer Gaspard to take my finger picked nylon string guitar and speed it up to warp speed at the intro and then slow it down. Just like life …”

Elliott Murphy - Vocals, Guitars

Gaspard Murphy - Moog

Produced by Gaspard Murphy

OLD-TIMER (Elliott Murphy)

When most of who you are walks behind you - And your days are growing short and passing fast

And your memory plays tricks to protect you now - Well you know … you just can’t change the past

 

And I say this is something to be proud of - To have done it all and lived to tell the tale

I’m a stone-cold rock and roll survivor now - An old timer who’s not taking down his sail

 

I’m cruising toward a hundred that’s my goal - And I’d love to take you with me heart and soul

We'll be heading round the corner - Maybe move someplace warmer - And with you I’ll never be alone

 

And I say this is something to be proud of - To have done it all and lived to tell the tale

I’m a stone-cold rock and roll survivor now - An old timer who’s not taking down his sail

 

Did I tell you about the time - When I was twenty-nine - And Paris was waiting for me

 

And I say this is something to be proud of - To have done it all and lived to tell the tale

I’m a stone-cold rock and roll survivor now - An old timer who’s not taking down his sail

 

And if I can be so bold - Let me last words be foretold - I’m telling you I just don’t feel that old

            © 2024 Elliott Murphy, All Rights Reserved (Murphyland / SACEM)

2/24/24

March 1 Richard Skipper Celebrates “Rock Veterans of the NYC Club Scene!”

 with Rock Troubadour Elliott Murphy, Ernie Brooks, Kenny Margolis, Matthew Murphy

Elliott Murphy is celebrating his 75th birthday live on stage at his annual birthday concert at Paris’ entertainment venue, New Morning.  As part of the celebration, he and some of his New York City bandmates—keyboardist/accordionist Kenny Margolis, bassist Ernie Brooks, and brother Matthew Murphy—will appear on Richard Skipper Celebrates on YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/4xGDbTvwnYI?feature=share on March 1, 2024 at 3:30 PM ET/9:30 PM France time/12:30 PM PT.  

Elliott Murphy

Five decades have passed since the release of Elliott’s first album Aquashow (Polydor 1973) widely considered a classic and rated 4½ stars on the prestigious All Music Guide.

Born on Long Island to a show business family (his father owned and produced the original Aquashow water spectacle on the site of the 1939 World’s Fair, Elliott began his music career with a troubadour like odyssey in Europe in 1971 including landing a bit part in Federico Fellini’s Roma. Returning to the US, he quickly secured a recording contract. Following the success of Aquashow came Lost Generation (RCA), Night Lights (RCA), Just a Story from America (Columbia), and Selling the Gold (WEA) featuring an outstanding duet, Everything I do (leads me back to you), with Bruce Springsteen. Bruce invites Elliott to perform with him while in Europe. Along with Billy Joel and Willie Nile, Bruce has appeared in the documentary, “The Second Act of Elliott Murphy” and in the movie, “Broken Poet,” along with his wife Patty Scialfa and actors Marisa Berenson, Michael O’Keefe, Françoise Viallon.    Elliott’s current releases Prodigal Son, Elliott Murphy is Alive!, Ricochet, and Wonder, were produced and mixed by his son Gaspard Murphy.

Elliott was awarded La Medaille de la Ville de Paris by the Mayor of Paris, a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by the French Minister of Culture, and La Grande Bellezza lifetime achievement award in Zurich. Billy Joel inducted Elliott into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame and had him join him on stage at Madison Square Garden.

Elliott celebrates his birthday, performing annual concerts at Paris’ New Morning on March 15 and 16.

Ernie Brooks
Ernie’s played with the original Modern Lovers, Love of Life Orchestra, Necessaries, David Johansen, Jean-Francois Pausvros, Arthur Russell, Allen Ginsberg, Gary Lucas, Rhys Chatham, Glenn Branca, Jerry Harrison, Chris Spedding, and—of course—Elliott!  

Ernie’s work with Elliott ran from the mid-‘70s through this century with live shows and over a dozen records.   

Today Ernie plays with Tape Hiss, with collaborators Steve Shelley, Peter Zummo, David Nagler, Pete Galub and Mustafa Ahmed.

Coming soon is Ernie’s second solo album. A limited release of Arthur Russell’s “You Can Make Me Feel Bad” performed by Tape Hiss is available on Bandcamp.

Kenny Margolis
Kenny’s professional career began in 1976 with Exuma, a Bahamian artist. In 1979, he joined Mink DeVille for three albums, including the acclaimed Le Chat Bleu. They reunited in 2005 for the live DVD at Amsterdam’s Paradiso, Live In The Lowlands. Between 1996-2006, Kenny played with alternative rock band Cracker for 9 albums.   

Kenny’s toured and played on Elliott’s Rainy Season, Last Of The Rock Stars, Soul Surfing, Strings Of The Storm, Murphy Gets Muddy, Notes From The Underground, Coming Home Again, and Never Say Never, The Best of 1995-2005…And More.

He's worked with The Smithereens, Rogue’s March, the late great Shane MacGowan, The Silos, Del Lords, Little Bob, Marshall Crenshaw, and Richard Barone for the Harry Nilsson tribute album, “For The Love Of Harry.” Kenny composed music for James Gandolfini’s The Italian Movie and contributed to soundtracks, notably The Pope of Greenwich Village.  His bands include Lucky 7 and UpSouth Twisters.    

On March 15 The 26th year of Joe Hurley’s Irish Rock Review at Bowery Electric.

March 16: Manhattan screening of the film Heaven Stood Still…The Incarnations of Willy DeVille.   

Matthew Murphy
Matthew started his music career as Elliott Murphy’s bassist for Aquashow. They opened for the New York Dolls, Kinks, Jefferson Starship, Aerosmith, Hot Tuna. His first tour managing gig was with brother Elliott! He’s continued to work with him, starting with helping create his first indie label Courtisane Records.

Matthew’s tour managed artists including Blondie, B-52s, Talking Heads, Eurythmics, Roger Waters, Luther Vandross, Bryan Ferry, Patti Smith, Kenny G, UB40, John Hiatt, Edie Brickell, Dave Stewart, and the Blue Man Group.

Since 2009, Matthew’s been making shows run smoothly for Steve Martin & Martin Short all over the world.    

 ####

12/3/23

Elliott Murphy “This Christmas I Want Less”

Following an annual tradition, internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Elliott Murphy's latest holiday season single “This Christmas I Want Less” (produced by Gaspard Murphy) is on all streaming platforms.

This year marks 50 years of a spectacular career that began with the release of Elliott Murphy’s debut album “Aquashow” (Polydor 1973) - rated 4 ½ stars on the prestigious All Music Guide. Over 40 albums have followed along with nearly 3000 concerts in the US, Canada, Europe and Japan.

Awards: 

- 2012 La Medaille de la Ville de Paris by the Mayor of Paris

- 2015 Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by the French Minister of Culture

- 2018 inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame by Billy Joel

- 2019 La Grande Bellezza lifetime achievement award in Zurich.

 

THIS CHRISTMAS I WANT LESS

Words & Music by Elliott Murphy © 2023



Hey Santa – here’s my Christmas list … [Verse 1]

I want a fair amount of money

And my pockets full of hope

A heart full of desire

And a brain that can somehow cope

With insanity and cruelty

This world is such a mess

 

[Chorus] I'm telling you what I want

He’s telling you what he wants

I'm telling you what I want

This Christmas I want less

 

[Verse 2] Well no more clothes or sneakers

Or high-tech gadgetry

No cool designer shades

Waiting underneath my tree

I got enough of more

It’s all good but it’s not best

 

[Chorus] I'm telling you what I want

He’s telling you what he wants

I'm telling you what I want

This Christmas I want less

 

[Bridge] ‘Cause I’m clearly at an age

Where I can really say I’ve had enough

Give it a rest on Christmas Day

Well maybe there’s a few things you could do for me…

 

[Verse 3] Sure I’ll take some optimism.

Give me King Size XXL

And my apocalyptic visions

Santa can you drop them off in hell

Oh surprise me ol’ Saint Nick

With your smile I would be blessed

 

[Chorus] I'm telling you what I want

He’s telling you what he wants.

I'm telling you what I want

This Christmas I want less

I'm telling you what I want

He’s telling you what he wants

I'm telling you what I want

This Christmas I want less

 

C 2023 Elliott Murphy, All Rights Reserved

Elliott Murphy Murphyland / SACEM 

11/9/23

Holiday Music 2023-2024 for Licensing & Covers

Kwanzaa’s Pure Light Yocontalie Jackson & the Jennifer Tibbetts Singers  gospel, percussion, flugelhorns piano, mid-tempo, spoken word and singing, female leadsinger & teenage children choir describes what Kwanzaa is and how it's related to "our African past." celebrate community & words that rhyme like unity, responsibility  


Peace A Dream Robeone  (instrumental, multi keyboards, including acoustic piano and synthesizers, notably a moog. instrumental, slow and steady tempo, flowy, mystical, adventures music starting with a piano and then a range of electronic keyboards  


Why Can’t Everyday Be Like Christmas? - 3 versions: (punk hard rock), (mellow) (pop)  Tang  female vocals.  Metal Punk, Fast drums, crunch guitar, female vocals. Mellow: gentle, lush song with stand out chimes, bells, violin, and viola, angels, stars shining, and bells ringing.  Pop: Denny Colt sings in a sweet, girl-next door voice and range similar to Cassadee Pope’s or Emma Roberts.    

https://soundcloud.com/bad-pacrecords/why-cant-everyday-be-like-christmas-1?in=leightonmedia/sets/christmas-songs&si=403f92dfd13e4f7baaba8623109b6b76&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Ave Maria Aeone / Stephen Melillo  gentle soft, new age voice, like Clannad, an alto Eva Cassidy with a classical orchestra.  This is also available as an instrumental. 


Warm, Lovin’ Christmastime  Rob Bonfiglio  Bouncy, Brian Wilson-y, from one of Brian AND Carnie Wilson’s long-time musical partners.  In fact, Carnie and Rob have recorded this song, and so have Wilson Phillips! All the imagery of mistletoe and writing our names in the snow!   


   

New Lang Syne Dean Friedman  mellow, piano, harmonica, male voice.  reflective lyric about the end up the year with observations of champagne and drinking vessels and personal growth amongst the universe, love's affections & rejections. 

 

Birthday Oh Birthday Michael Veitch  male vocals, country-ROCK energy, dobro guitars, birthday, birthday celebration, self-satisfied energy, a great day, "will you start something new w/me?" 


and at press time, only my music industry people will hear the upcoming Elliott Murphy Christmas song, "This Christmas I Want Less" is a plea for humanity.



4/13/23

Topical Music for Tenacity, Politicians, Mental Health, Peace


Just a story from America by Abigail Rose Clark leads our list of topical music spotlights.  This 
Midwestern country rock interpretation of Elliott Murphy's 1970's radio song makes sense in the 21st Century. Hard work and a race for a success. “Get up they put you down, And like a boxer You just spin around." Abigail has a voice that's a cross between Bebe Rexha & Rebecca Black.  


Hollow by Robeone

bobmoogfoundation.bandcamp.com/track/hollow Only electronic keyboards are used on this classical music sound meeting Keith Emerson keyboard stylings.  

Easy Money by Rebecca Loebe  


female vocals, acoustic folk with western musical & lyrical influences, the song is about confronting someone that conned a friend. easy money is the motivation.


Please Be There  Orleans  


Tenor male vocals, funky soft rock. Soulful strut piano and guitar. Lots of keyboards. For mental health—this is what everyone needs to be told—somebody to be there.  “Talk to me and I’ll talk to you.” “Take my hand, that’s what we’ll do.” Mutuality theme.   

 

One Day (A Child’s Prayer) Hannah & Dean Friedman 


Originally written for the 1991 Gulf War, the song is relevant now in the midst of one more, senseless, horrific war. Gentle strings and bells adorn a daughter and father duet.  She’s seeing children killed from missiles, The father sings that “One day there'll be no trace of war, disease, pollution.  If only presidents could see through children’s eyes, if only general could hear the babies’ cries.” Lots of comparisons and contrasts like kids fighting over toys with men fighting over land.   


The Truth I Know  Robbie Wyckoff  (Song by Karen Besbeck & Carmen Grillo)

http://soundcloud.com/karen-besbeck/all-that-glitters-aint-gold-2  male country rock, slow tempo, optimistic lyrics, "I've been carrying a heavy load, now it's time to let go to the truth I know, holding on to faith in the human race." 


I Think Politicians should be Put on Minimum Wage   Doozer McDooze  


 I think Politicians Should Be Put on Minimum Wage | Doozer McDooze (bandcamp.com)

Male english accent, music hall meets acoustic guitar meets "That's Alright, Mama" tempo, fighting for what's right--let the politicians make minimum wage. straight forward.  UK words "dosh" "council house"