The Middle Kingdom Now Out on All Digital Media

New Spoken Word Album from Elliott Murphy and Olivier Durand

The Middle Kingdom is a dramatic spoken word with music album comprised of a selection of poems from the Elliott Murphy collection of the same name. Read by Elliott, himself, with accompanying music composed and performed by his long time musical partner Olivier Durand and mixed and produced by Gaspard Murphy, the result is a surprisingly powerful album whose provocative lyrical images are lifted to yet another dimension with sympathetic and moving musical themes.

The idea for this unique project was born during the coronavirus confinement in France when it was impossible for these two long-time musical collaborators to perform or record together, because Olivier Durand lives in Le Havre and Elliott Murphy in Paris. Elliott proposed that Olivier choose a selection of poems from Elliott’s second book of poetry The Middle Kingdom that he could relate to both musically and lyrically. After deciding upon 18 titles Olivier composed and recorded accompanying musical themes in his home studio in Le Havre. After contributing his own musical ideas to the title cut, producer Gaspard Murphy mixed the final album with state-of-the-art HD sound. The subject matter of the poems themselves go from rock ‘n roll “On The Death of Prince” and “Last Night I Dreamed About Lou” to the very autobiographical “The Middle Kingdom.”

With a career of nearly half a century Elliott’s done it all with over 35 albums of original music since his debut album Aquashow (1973), six published books including two volumes of poetry (40 Poems in 40 Nights & The Middle Kingdom), short story collections (Cafe Notes & Paris Stories), three novels (Marty May, Poetic Justice & Diamonds by the Yard), and a starring role in the feature film Broken Poet based upon his 1980’s short story The Lion Sleeps Tonight which includes a rare cameo appearance by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa. He’s also the subject of the award winning 2016 documentary, The Second Act of Elliott Murphy. and his journalism has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and other international publications. Elliott’s autobiography Just A Story From America will soon be available as an Audiobook.

In 2015 Elliott Murphy was awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture. In 2018, Billy Joel inducted Elliott into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, stating, “His songs are honest and literate and pure, and those songs have attracted audiences far beyond his country. I’ve long envied his bravery and integrity, and I’ve always admired his lyric skill.”

The Middle Kingdom is available on iTunes/AppleMusic/Spotify/Amazon and all streaming platforms. 

Elliott Murphy’s “Broken Poet” Movie World Premier New York City, March 25

BROKEN POET will have its world-wide premiere at the New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF) on Wednesday 25 March at 8:00 at the Dolby Theater. The film will be preceded by a short acoustic concert by Elliott Murphy. BROKEN POET is directed by Emilio J. Ruiz and is based on a short story by Elliott Murphy, who also stars in the film and provides songs for the soundtrack including his classic LAST OF THE ROCK STARS. Other members of the cast include Joanna Preiss, Marisa Berensen, Michael O’Keefe and cameo appearances by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa. The story itself is that of a ‘70s US rock star who disappeared in Paris and may still be alive. Rolling Stone magazine sends a journalist to investigate, and the results are surprising. A fresh look at rock stardom and success and a gripping story shot within enchanting and sumptuous views of Paris and New York. Not to be missed! 



Ticket buy link: https://nyciff.com/line-up-2020

"Tramps": Elliott Murphy Book Advisory

Elliott Murphy’s latest novel TRAMPS takes place in the legendary 1980’s era New York City blues bar of the same name, where ex-punk musician Hoover has found his muse in the basement standing among the rat poison snorting cocaine with his best friend, bartender and drug dealer Jacky, while trying to make sense of a post-Elvis world, burying himself in the black shawl of the blues and looking for redemption in the rarified uptown elegance of the Frick Collection. Home is a call girl with a heart of gold as the Mafia and nihilism closes in from all sides. TRAMPS is the second in Elliott’s trilogy of rock novels, and his 3rd published novel. Available on Amazon.com and www.elliottmurphy.com.

BITLY LINK:  https://amzn.to/2TWlAW7

Elliott’s previous novels include the rock tragicomedy MARTY MAY and the neo-western: POETIC JUSTICE.  Other published works include the short story collection PARIS STORIES, and two collections of poetry FORTY POEMS IN FORTY NIGHTS and THE MIDDLE KINGDOM. In a career spanning over 45 years, Elliott has released 36 albums, his most recent being ELLIOTT MURPHY IS ALIVE!

“The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” an earlier story, has been made into the feature film Broken Poet, starring Elliott Murphy in his first major acting role. Cast members include the legendary Marisa Berenson, Academy Award nominee Michael O’Keefe, and acclaimed French actress Joana Preiss as well as rare cameo appearances by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa. The film is directed by award-winning Spanish Director Emilio Barrachina and is scheduled for a Spring 2019 release.

Singer-songwriting superstar Billy Joel is also a fan and in his November 2018 induction of Elliott into the Long Island Music Hall of fame, he said—“I’ve long envied his bravery and integrity, and I’ve always admired his lyric skill” and invited Elliott to join him and his band on stage at Madison Square Garden to sing Walk on the Wild Side by the late Lou Reed, a fellow Long Islander and also an early admirer of Elliott’s music.

In 2015 Elliott Murphy was awarded the Chevalier des arts et des lettres medal by the French minister of Culture.  

Elliott Murphy first rose to national prominence with the release of his debut 1973 album Aquashow,     

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Visit the ELLIOTT MURPHY Amazon author page at BITLY:  http://amzn.to/2lMcsmQ