Neil Murray: September 2009

Hi Folks,

It’s been a 3-month sojourn for Neil Murray in Northern Australia where he appeared at the Kimberly Writers Festival and performed with Peter Brandy to an enthusiastic reception “I’ve got fans in Kununurra” reported Neil.

As well as performances in Darwin, Neil, along with Queensland artist Peter Hudson (who’d painted Neil’s portrait for the lyric book Native Born) visited the communities of Papunya, Kintore and Galiwinku sourcing artwork for a children’s book about the song My Island Home, scheduled for publication by One Day Hill in early 2010.

Last month Neil appeared at the Queensland Poetry festival, held at the Judith Wright Centre in Brisbane. Neil surprised himself by having “an enriching artistic experience ... It's a long time since I’ve performed with poets and it's refreshing to re-acquaint myself with that feisty atmosphere”

Neil’s new album has been mixed at Jim Moginie’s “Oceanic” studios and awaits mastering. Eleven tracks have been cut. It is expected the album will be available early in the New Year.

This month Neil returns to Alice Springs to participate in the Black Arm Band show at Anzac Oval on September 13th that is incorporating a memorial tribute to his brother in arms from the Warumpi Band, the late George Rrurrambu Burarrawanga. Along with Warumpi Band co-founder Sammy Butcher; Neil will perform a select few Warumpi Band songs culminating with a rendition of My Island Home with the entire cast from the Black Arm band and dancers from Galiwinku.

Coming up in the first weekend in October Neil is at Broken Hill for the Red Desert Festival and on October 11th is at the new Lizottes restaurant in Newcastle on October 11th. Bookings 02 49562066 www.newcastle.lizottes.com.au/live/index.asp

The Empire Hotel in Cobar NSW is where Neil will perform for two nights on October 29th and 30th as a lead up to the annual Day in the Dirt Festival at Nymagee on Saturday October 31st. www.nymageemusicfestival.com.au/2009/06/welcome-nymagee-2009/

Finally, we are pleased to announce that ABC Music (view press release) has re-released all of Neil’s solo back catalogue (with liner note commentary) including the previously unavailable first solo album Calm & Crystal Clear. So if you’ve worn out your copy of that one you can now replace it! Unfortunately, the double compilation album About Time is no longer available.

John King
www.neilmurray.com.au
www.myspace/neilmurraymusic
island.home.music@bigpond.com

Photos by Joyce van Dijk, ID Photography