JMQ - Joe McMurrian Quartet -
Joe McMurrian - Guitar Vocal
Jimi Bott (drums) Jason Honl (Bass) David Lipkind (Harmonica)
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Jimi Bott drum solo before he met Joe
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Influences
Johnny Winter, Roy Gallager, Skip James, Robert Pete Williams, John Martyn, Kelly Joe Phelps, Nick Drake, Fred McDowell, Doc Watson, Son House!, Chris Smither, Leo Kotke, Hendrix, William Dekooning, Jackson Pollock, Haydn and Liana McMurrianm, Johnny Cash, Paul Geramia, Roscoe Holcomb, Son House, Tom Waits, Stevie Ray Vaughn, John Fahey, Buddy Guy, Magic Sam, Hound dog Taylor, Dink Banks, Woody Guthrie, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Hank Williams, Merl Hagard, John Hurt, Lightnigh Hopkins, Willie Nelson, Blind WIllie Johnson, Captain Beefheart, Blind Lemon Jeffereson, Funny Paper Smith, Honey Boy Edwards, Coltrane, Rev. Gary Davis, Dirk Banks, Bob DylanDoc Watson, Paul Butterfield, Johnny Cash, Nann, Batman, Zappa, Neil Young, The Oo, Chuck Berry, Willie, Jim Fitting, Dolly, Stones, The Band, Big Mama Thorton, Big Star, Big Walter Horton, Hank, Jr. Wells, Chet Atkins, Web Pierce, Beatles, Carlos Del Junco, Mark Ford, Freddy King, Gary Primich, Muddy, Hex County, The Wolf, JB, Led Zep, Sonny Terry, Billy Holiday, Ice Cream, Chicken wings, Stevie Wonder, Memphis Jug Band, Blind Willie McTell, Memphis Minnie, Dylan, Mike Nicolai, Minutemen, Fred Mcdowell, Velvet Underground, John Hurt, Grandpa Sid, Longmire, Apu and the gang, Mo, Larry, and Curly, cousin Kenny, all the fine Portland musicians I get the play with and hear all the time, Bill Bouroughs, Roy Buchannan, the weather
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Go to: www.joemcmurrian.com
I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)
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JMQ
the Joe McMurrian Quartet- BIO Progressive New Roots/Blues
The quartet - Joe McMurrian (guitar, Banjo, vocals), Jimi Bott (drums) – Fabulous Thunderbirds, Mark Hummel, Rod Piazza, Jason Honl (bass) – Pieces, Big Mouth Bass, and
David Lipkind (harmonica) - Spigot, SOB, Mad Hattie
The Joe McMurrian Quartet is a rapidly growing outfit in the Northwest and beyond. As a solo artist, McMurrian released his debut, "Rain of Days", which was voted the 2 best independent blues release of 2006 by the International Blues Foundation of Memphis as well as reaching the 5 slot on Japan's Tower Records chart.
Joe is a native of the Northern California, San Joaquin Delta region. 7 years ago He relocated with his family to Portland after a ten year stay in various areas of Los Angeles.He carried with him his unique brand of music and has now found the perfect musicians to help him create it. Together as a collective, JMQ is massive machine of sound – a machine that surges through the earth and elevates the forms of traditional American music while also redefining the scope of the road ahead. Imagine If Robert Johnson had heard Hendrix and had hooked up with Jack Bruce, Jon Bohnam and Little Walter – mix in contemporary songwriting and one of a kind musical performances and you have an amazing band.
"A new form of Blues. A fusion of the Delta and their own haunted visions. In a way, when performing live they're like a classic jam band that can take a song and it's theme on for great lengths, never getting boring in the process.But what ever they are, they're extremely innovative with a sound completely their own....This quartet should be viewed as sculptors, or painters. They're creating a new demension of the blues within our dreams...exhilerating and mind-enchanting...a very new and very exciting vision of the blues" Cascade Blues Association, Portland Oregon 2008
"...rich, muddy Delta bottom of blues sources, and onward past the limitations of the form to a more progressive sound, one open to original material as relevant as that of any contemporary, folk-based singer-songwriter.....last year’s studio effort, Rain of Days , and the brand-new Live at the White Eagle— are both truly rewarding listens.McMurrian’s shown impressive growth as a songwriter; his words have become as musical as his guitar playing is lyrical…Some very expansive moments here "
Willamette Week - Jeff Rosenberg, Oregonian music review, Portland. 2007
With his new band in tow, The Joe McMurrian Quartet have just released JMQ - Joe McMurrian Quartet Live at the White Eagle, which spotlights seven new songs as well as some highly re-arranged traditionals, all weaved into the sonic fabric of the JMQ sound.
The live album is a deep mix of Delta/Hill country blues power, delicate finger-style slide contortions, and vocal infused scenes of talking rivers, cities on fire, loves trickery, dogs with gills, smoke building windows, failed preachers, Coo Coo birds, L.A freeways, boats of leather and stone cast across improvisational creationism and Rosewood soaked brain waves.
"We are a progressive blues based band," says McMurrian about the quartet's sound. "influenced by all music and a whole lot of old American music like the blues, But whawe do is anything but regular blues; it's new blues, if you will, and should be seen as modern yet approachable by young and old listeners."
Progressive high energy music, Gut wrenching emotion and energy transitioning to graceful melodies, complex harmonies and challenging meter changes make for the most powerful Roots/Blues music around. The sound is rooted in Delta Blues and Old American Roots music, but it is weaved into a modern concept of improvisation and original story telling that owes as much to John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix or Led Zeppelin as it does to Son House, Mississippi Fred McDowell, R.L Burnside or Bert Jansch. JMQ is the new face of American Roots & Blues music, one that crosses limiting musical boundaries, trivialities and fads and soars up within the infinity of sound.
”Joe’s guitar playing and singing have that rare quality of unearthly wisdom and understanding. Joe is joined by three of Portland’s most innovative musicians and the connection is as immediate and natural as thunder and lightning…” says Radio host Brad Brenner of Portland’s KMHD 89.1 FM
Joe McMurrian Quartet - JMQ's Friend Space (Top 15)
I've been to the White Eagle bar in Portland OR. last September on a brief visit..amazing place..the bar is famous for the Holy Modal Rounders,I believe !!
A Friend Is Like A Four Leaf Clover: Hard To Find And Lucky To Have! Have A Great And Wonderful Day! And I Hope You Feel Good! A Big Hug For Your Friendship!
Joe, You are hands down one of my favorite Portland artists and in light of your unique blues sound, wanted to tell you about another blues gig on Sunday (if you're not playing out yourself)..
Blues man Joe Price is on tour with Greg Brown. You can catch him at the Aladdin on Sat, Oct. 13 with Greg, or catch him for free in North Portland at the Kenton Club on Sun, Oct. 14. Joe goes on around 8:45... Cheers, Andy
Greetings Joe McMurrian, I am delighted to be your friend. I dig your sound! Thanks so much for checking out my tunes. Keep Rockin! Love, Joanie Sanders
Hi Joe. Just to let you know future radio is due to return full time in June 2007 (date TBC), in our spanking new studios. There’s more info in the blog on my page titled Future Radio 2007.
Also future has a custom built recording and rehearsal studio at affordable rates. Contact Michael Howard or Andrew Todd at future on 01603 250505.
Hi Joe, The spouse and I really enjoyed your show at the White Eagle a few Tuesdays ago. We will return for more stripped-down, skillful, truthful blues.
Hi Joe - Really enjoy your music/CD etc. Your feature on Oregon's Artbeat was excellent! We met briefly last summer @ Waterfront Blues Festival, I played a set w/ Terry Robb right after you finished your workshop performance - anyways, keep up the great tunes, hope to meet again soon - Adam
Hey Joe!! Rain of Days is now one of the five finalists for the Best Self-Produced CD contest. Great news!! Good luck. The uniqueness of your disc must've really caught on with the judges. I would concur totally. That CD kicks butt big time!
Congratulations Joe!! "Rain of Days" has been selected as one of the ten CDs out of the 46 submitted to advance to the second round of judging in The Blues Foundation's Best Self-Produced CD competition!! Let's roll on to the final four!! Well deserved. This CD is killer!!
