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NEIL MURRAY ‘About Time …… A Song Collection’
Album Bio by Billy Pinnell

Since his first recordings in the early 80’s with The Warumpi Band and now with five subsequent albums released under his own name, Neil Murray has successfully chronicled his passion for what Australia could mean for all of us.

Raised on a farm in Western Victoria, Murray’s quest to discover more about Australia lead him in 1980 to relocate to the remote Western Desert Aboriginal communities of Papunya and Kintore. His search for a deeper understanding of our original inhabitants resulted in the creation of much of the music on this collection. A painter of vivid lyrical pictures Murray has never compromised in favour of his fascinating stories taking precedence over the eclectic music he creates. Elements of rock, country, blues and folk are present throughout this double CD which features tracks from his solo releases and on CD 2 live and previously unreleased studio recordings.

To list all the album’s highlights would take longer than the time you’ll spend listening to both CD’s, so I’ll summaries.
Many of the collection’s most memorable tracks are stories associated with indigenous Australians, like ‘Eddie Mabo’ the land rights crusader (‘took ‘em all on and he won, gave us hope where there was none!’), accompanied by chugging rhythm, splashes of Hammond organ and a chanting chorus ‘Eddie Mabo you’re a hero’.

‘Cleverman’ tells of Tjapaltjarri, a man who walked in from the desert, spent 12 months observing western culture and decided it was better out bush. The acoustic based ‘Broken Song’ is about cultural loss suffered by indigenous Australians as a result of being forced fed religion by missionaries (‘we lined up for rations, we lined up in fear of a God we didn’t understand, our customs they were banned’).As weighty as these songs are Murray incorporates humour and good times into the mix with songs like the rollicking ‘Good Light In Broome’ (featuring accordion) and ‘Tom Wills Would’ about the legendary coach of The Native X1, the first Australian (all aboriginal) cricket team to tour England and Father of Australian Rules Football, coming to save the local footy team.

In contrast to the lone acoustic guitar and subtle synthesizer on ‘Tom Wills Would’, ‘Calm And Crystal Clear’ (his 1989 debut single) and ‘Big Truck’ are examples of Murray’s irresistible country tinged rock songs.

On the second CD of live and rare tracks Murray reprises only three songs preferring to go with another dozen originals and the album’s only cover, a rocking version of Danny Thompson’s and Arthur Thingle’s ‘Dear Me’.

Other standouts include ‘Bulukbara Man’ and ‘Johnny Grey’ with its compelling boogie beat and slide guitar solo (‘I wish I could play the guitar like Johnny Grey’). These live tracks feature Murray’s touring band from the early nineties- The Rainmakers. More recent band line-ups give vent to live tracks such as the bluesy “This Time” and the roots flavoured “Long Grass Band”.

Solo acoustic performances ‘One More Mile’, ‘Holy Road’ and ‘Native Born’ are enhanced by the harmony vocals of Christine Anu and Kavisha Mazzella.

Originally recorded with the Warumpi Band, Murray delivers a rousing version of his best known song ‘My Island Home’ for which he won an APRA Award in 1995 for Song Of The Year.

The breadth of Neil Murray’s talents as a musician and songwriter are on full display throughout his new release.
Murray’s music is powerful, seductive, honest and proudly Australian. His lyrical themes are as relevant to Australia as Woody Guthrie’s are to America.
- Billy Pinnell

Neil Murray is one of Australia’s most respected singer/songwriters and has enjoyed a solo career since 1989. He has released five albums “Calm & Crystal Clear”, “These Hands”, “Dust”, “The Wondering Kind” and his latest - “Going The Distance” – the songs on these albums - from the rollicking “Good Light in Broome” to the prayerful “Native Born”, the work ethic commitment of “Big Truck”, the bitter sweet call of “Tjapwurrung Country” or the joy of love in “Over the Moon” describe an inner landscape to the heart and soul of Australia.

Neil Murray first appeared in the early eighties as a founding member of the Warumpi Band which over three albums and twenty years of performing set alight contemporary indigenous music as a force to be reckoned with in Australia.

Those who have read his book “Sing for me Countryman” or poetry “One Man Tribe” or seen his play “King For This Place” acknowledge his affinity for the land and respect for indigenous culture.

In 1995, Neil Murray was awarded the APRA song of the year for “My Island Home” originally written for the Warumpi Band and re-recorded by Cristine Anu. “My Island Home” has become something of an unofficial anthem and featured in the closing ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Neil Murray performs regularly at festivals and live music venues in Australia and overseas.