Just me, on my trusty 12-string, and a few good friends to back me up!
Stage Gear - I recently bought a Takamine G-Series 12-string guitar, which has become my "working instrument." It's dependable and seems better suited to the many outdoor shows I have to do in the summer, and it sounds great. It also has a built-in tuner, which helps for quick touch-ups. (My '72 Ovation 12-string guitar, Pacemaker Model, fitted with a Fishman pickup, is in need of some work and has been put into semi-retirement. I think I will mainly use that guitar for writing and recording.) Fender Acoustasonic Junior amp with built-in effects, Fender powered monitor, Shure SM-58 microphone, Marshall Super Vibe stereo chorus pedal, Yamaha digital delay pedal. The stereo output of the Marshall chorus pedal is run into the Fender powered monitor, giving me a shimmering stereo chorus sound onstage. I also use Honer harmonicas, preferring the Big River models, as they are relatively cheap but give me the type of sound I want, and tend to last longer than the wooden reed harps. I play a lot of outdoor gigs, so heat and humidity are always considerations.
Influences
Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Nick Drake, Sandy Denny, Cat Stevens, Jim Croce. If you're into 70's style singer-songwriter material, then you'll like what I do.
Sounds Like
70's-era singer-songwriters. Gordon Lightfoot is a major influence, but people have also told me I sound a lot like Jon Bon Jovi, so there you go!
I've been a working musician and singer-songwriter for 30 years now, playing the various clubs and bars in the Niagara region and performing for a lot of people from all over the world.
I grew up with the music of the Beatles and 60's rock, but as I got older I discovered artists such as Gordon Lightfoot, Cat Stevens, Nick Drake, Sandy Denny & Fairport Convention, Elton John, The Strawbs and Jim Croce. Almost as soon as I picked up the guitar around the age of fifteen, I was writing my own songs. It has proven to be a great outlet for me in the years since. I'm completely self-taught, cannot read music, and I play totally by ear.
It wasn't until the fall of 2004 that I began to record my very first album, "Ghosts," in the basement studio of my good friend Gil Hicks. We laid down the basic vocal and guitar tracks live, and then I went in later to record some harmonies. We banged all of that off in less than 15 hours. Early in 2005 everything was transferred to Groundloop Studios, run by local sound engineer whiz-kid Dean Malton, where some of the harmony vocals were re-recorded, and a couple of small keyboard parts, plus all of the lead and second guitars, played by Jay Reed and Rich Morton, were done to finish the record off. Dean mixed it all down, and I was very, VERY pleased with the results.
I'm now in the process of writing for my second album, which will be called "Northern Town." Many songs are completed, but I still have a lot of work to do. I hope to have it ready before the end of 2009.
You can order my CD directly from me, by contacting me at mmurray51@cocego.ca. I was just added to a new independent music site in France called L'Abripom, and you can view my page there at http://www.info-music-bands.com/rubrique,marty-murray-can,422193.html
You can also visit me on facebook at facebook.com/martin.murray
I have a page on soundclick.com where individual songs can be downloaded in mp3 format, or you can get the entire album except for the last tune, which is a Ron Sexsmith song called "Trains." Due to copyright restrictions, I was not able to post that one for download without a big hassle, even though Ron enjoys my cover of his tune and has given me his blessing on it. The best way to get my music is to contact me directly, and I can send you a copy of the CD with minimal postage fees added. Shipments to Canada are usually $1 extra, abroad or to the United States are more, depending on destination, but usually no more than $3. The Ghosts CD itself is now selling for $10 Canadian.
hi marty...sorry have been away a bit...am moving back to indiana...and it is a chore...will catch u up soon...miss talking to ya! hope all is going good up your way! peace n luv! Eve
hiMarty..how is your week going? too damn hot here..i am melting like the wicked witch of oz...haha so is your son ready to go back to school? bet not..lol have fun this week...hugs..Eve glitter-graphics.com
Ever wondered what to do in the event of a nuclear threat?
A while ago I found stuff that inspired me to make this film:
Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella
Both artistic (ensure you get the background music!) and educational, it primarily comprises official British government civil defence advice.
Though source materials are quite aged, much remains relevant today.
I encourage all to visit the YouTube page to learn more (Show support! Rate! Comment!) and responsibly circulate as widely as possible, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaIim3Rj7L4
I'm hitting the road in a couple of weeks to raise money for War Child, Coast-to-coast – 50 cities – ALL PROCEEDS TO WARCHILD. Why? 66% of all war victims are CHILDREN. Shocked like me? War Child helps these children that have been affected by war. Check out the new blog – the whole story is up there. Love to have you be a part of it.
You’ll find a Blog, Tour page and a Bio page. I’ll be blogging daily from the road.
Ever wondered what to do in the event of a nuclear threat?
A while ago I found stuff that inspired me to make this film:
Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella
Both artistic (ensure you get the background music!) and educational, it primarily comprises official British government civil defence advice.
Though source materials are quite aged, much remains relevant today.
I encourage all to visit the YouTube page to learn more (Show support! Rate! Comment!) and responsibly circulate as widely as possible, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaIim3Rj7L4
