Never Say Never
From the clouds over that mountain
Rain fell into the stream
That trickled onto the River
And found its way to the ocean again
You can step into that ocean
Keep your head into the clouds
Let your tears fall on the morning
As you curse the day out loud
Never say Never – never again
Never say Never – never again
I put a kiss upon her forehead
As I stroked her golden hair
I said where I’m going
I can’t take you there
Her hands they were folded
Contentment was her grace
Salvation was so far away
In a completely different place
Never say Never – never again
Even forever has got to end
Never say Never – never again
But you know that my friend
We stood under the stars
With our mouth open wide
And it felt like the stars
Just fell inside
Right down our throats
And into our hearts
And there they shine
Inside the dark
In the Caverns of our soul
Where only fear is king
And not a chance is taken
On even the surest damn thing
Oh Never say Never again
You know forever its got to end
Never say Never again
But you know that so well my old friend
Come On Louann
When I look into your eyes all I see is lies – Come on Louann
When you hold on to my hand where you gonna take this man – Come on Louann
You know I’m trying to maintain but your excuses are in vain – Come on Louann
If there’s a reason why I’m here well you better make it clear- Come on Louann
Someday we’ll laugh together
And relive the past together
Ah but tonight I’m feeling so bad
You look so good and I’m so sad
I could never break your heart and you knew that from the start – Didn’t you Louann
You had no other place else to go so you put on a good show – You knock me out Louann
You made me think I was the one you robbed my love without a gun – Didn’t you Louann
Can you make an honest stand when you’re living hand to hand – Tell me Louann
Some day we’ll laugh together
And relive the past together
Ah but tonight I’m feeling so sad
You’re looking good and I’m so bad
When you’re lying in your bed and the lights are flashing red – My sweet Louann
And you drink your cup of tea is that when you think of me – Oh Louann
One thing I’ll never understand
Everywhere you had a tan – Oh Louann
And if we meet again someday I’ll just probably say hey – Come on Louann
Some day we’ll laugh together
And relive the past together
Ah but tonight I’m feeling so bad
You look so good and I’m so sad
Small Room
Well it was a small room
About ten by nine
Paintbrushes and canvas
A jar of turpentine
He’d be there in the morning
When the light was fresh
The only time he turned his back on her
Was when she would undress
Her name was Judy
Judy “ out to lunch”
Her boyfriend was Frankie
She called him Punch
He said “Let’s take a break now
My old legs are stiff.”
He saw her bruises in the mirror
He said, “That bastard – will you look at this.”
She said, “Frankie’s a good guy
He just drinks too much wine.”
The old painter said “You can tell me about it
Some other time…
But I’d like to meet him
This boyfriend of yours
Why don’t you tell him to come by Friday night?
After he closes the store.”
Now Judy came back on Monday
And the door was locked
When the landlady opened it
Even the cops were shocked
Punch he lay in a pull of blood
Throat slit ear to ear
The old painter was dead as well
His painter’s knife was near
The cop said, “One man was murdered
The others heart gave out
But whoever painted this portrait of you, Judy,
Of his love there is no doubt.”
Well it was a small room
About ten by nine
Paintbrushes and canvas
A jar of turpentine
A Little Push
The sun is setting in an orange glow
But it’s raining in my car
Can’t even think of where I want to go
‘Cause I’ve already gone so far
All I need is a little push to fall
In love with you tonight
All I need is a little push
And that’s all
And I’m heading over the top
It’s not a question of what I want to do
It’s a question of what’s right
‘Cause when I find myself alone with you
On this quiet Sunday night
All I need is a little push to fall
In love with you tonight
All I need is a little push
And that’s all
And I’m heading over the top
Sun is setting in an orange glow
But it’s raining in my car
Can’t think of where I gotta go
Cause I just want to go too far
All I need is a little push to fall
In love with you tonight
All I need is a little push
And that’s all
And I’m heading over the top
On Romeo Street
She was trapped in my peripheral vision like a long lost silhouette – She was fine and dirty and curly and loose – And from that sacred moment when the ends of our fingers met – I felt a shiver go down into the heels of my cowboy boots – See I was cornered like a rat in a pre-war drugstore raid – And I was ranting and raving and reciting the raunchy blues
Yeah she knew a thing or two so I didn’t have much to say
She said I’m here my dear to deliver the good news
You see I felt my life was already over but my moment it had just begun
So I saw my chance and I grabbed it as best as I could – So I lay down in her sweet smelling soulfully seductive quicksand – Though the ghost of romance stood behind me and might have given me a push
We had no friends in common except mister and misses happenstance
And I was talking more and more about movies and books
Then I ran out of words and I asked her well could I have this dance
And she thought that was funny and gave me a very, very special look
Well the parade was passing and I was marching right behind the majorette – She was throwing her baton much higher than the oldest oak trees – There was such symbolism I thought Christ had risen and I just had to forget – And start over again from the day I stood at my daddy’s knee – When he said son there’s a few things here that I gotta tell you
And he bent down low to whisper in my childish ear
When just then a squadron of jet fighters it passed right over my head
And he said promise me boy you’ll always keep that thought dear
Well I guess I forgot more now than I’ll ever remember – About why you plant roses when a rainbow is just at its end – About why you shouldn’t make any new plans till say mid- December – Keep the New Year new as long as you can – Here’s to the crazies who make a dreary day worth living – See them laughing at phonies and frauds who believe so much in themselves – Because among them I believe is where the magic it keeps itself well hidden – From those politicos who would steal the ring out of a church bell
So I went back to her every night till I was totally addicted – And she knew it too and believe me that was the very best part – Sure the newness gets old but she sure knew how to fix it – And soon I was sporting a good as new broken in heart – Well we’ve fought about friends and we’ve argued about the weather – And whether or not we turn left or right when we go out at night – I’ve misused every sacred word that I could remember – Except for love cause that just wouldn’t be right
On Romeo Street they’re selling bedroom sets and mirrors
And couches covered in the most luxurious velour
And one day I lay down in the softness but I saw where the fear is
So I turned around and marched back onto the killing floor
Yeah Romeo Street is twisting its way out into the suburbs
But tonight the traffic is all running the other way
Its a madness my dear that keeps us out here in the moonlight
It’s a madness I hope that never ever goes away
Tell Me
To call you like this – Its too late I know
When you gotta get up – Tomorrow
And yes I guess – I can agree
It was bound to end – you and me
But that’s not what – I want to hear
You sound so sleepy – and what I fear
Is soon you’ll hang up – and I’ll be alone
Just give me a minute – And stay on the phone
And tell me – tell me – then tell me
Let me hear the words
From your mouth to my ear
And I start to tremble
When you feel so near
Let me hear you say what I want you to say
Just give me this – don’t take that away
Tell me you love me
Let’s keep this a secret – Never see the light of day
I’ll stay your dream man – Full of mystery
I suppose I can do that – I suppose I can
I can learn to regard you – Like any other friend
I can stop this longing – I will forget this fear
Stop living in the past – With the darkness so near
Like I could stop the sea – And hold back the waves
That washes over me now – When I hear you say
So tell me – tell me – then tell me
Let me hear the words
From your mouth to my ear
And I start to tremble
When you feel so near
Let me hear you say what I want you to say
Just give me this don’t take that away
Tell me you love me
So tell me – tell me – tell me – tell me
I gotta go now and I will try to see
I’m looking for the answer I’m gonna find that key
So we can escape all these bonds and chains
Walk in the sun come out of the rain
And if you want to know my favorite fantasy
It’s an endless night of you and me
Watching the stars and making a wish
Never having to trade one last kiss
So tell me – tell me – tell me –
Let me here the words from your mouth to my ear
And I start to tremble when you feel so near
Let me hear you say what I want you to say
Just give me this don’t take that away
Let me hear you say what I want you to say
Just give me this don’t take that away
When you tell me you love me
Ground Zero (Elliott Murphy/Olivier Durand)
Have you seen my Father – Have you seen my Brother
Have you see n my Girlfriend – Have you seen my Mother
Have you seen my Sister – Have you seen my Partner
Have you seen my Neighbor – Have you seen my Lover
I saw it all – I was watching TV
I could not breathe – I could not imagine
I thought it was a movie – I thought it was a nightmare
I ran for cover – I was so angry
I wanted revenge – But that was hollow
I wanted peace – And a safe tomorrow
Have you seen my Husband – Have you seen my Cousin
Have you seen my Friend – Have you seen my Family
Have you seen my City -Have you seen my Country
Have you seen my World – Have you seen my World
Les tours s’effondrent – Et le rêve se brise
Les blessures profondes – Jamais ne cicatrisent
J’ai mal au Coeur – Les ideaux en ruine
J’ai mal au Coeur – Religions Assassines
J’ai senti la peu – Senti la colère
J’ai senti l’horreur – Senti la guerre
J’ai senti la violence – Senti la haine
Senti la souffrance – Senti la peine
And from the darkness comes the light
This I promise – This I promise
So when your tears fall in the middle of the night
And you see no reason – No answers in sight
We will remember – We will remember
Ground Zero – Ground Zero
Have you seen the heroes – They look like fireman
They look like policeman – They look the mayor
Have you seen my Father – J’ai senti la peur
Have you seen my Brother – Senti la colère
Have you see n my Girlfriend – J’ai senti l’horreur
Have you seen my Mother – Senti la guerre
Have you seen my Sister – J’ai senti la violence
Have you seen my Partner – Senti la haine
Have you seen my Neighbor – Senti la souffrance
Have you seen my Lover – Senti la peine
Have you seen my City – Have you seen my Country
Have you seen my World – Have you seen my World
Ground Zero – Ground Zero
Green River
Lights were dancing
Footsteps of a mouse
On a postage stamp
I saw a picture of our new house
Red roof and magnolias
A field of olive trees
A Green River is rising
Nearly to my knees
Green River – Green River
Green River –Take my soul out to the sea
Raisin bread and honey
Not as sweet as you
If I could tell your fortune
Would I lie or would I tell the truth
Depending if it brought you
To my arms or distant shores
A Green River is rising
Even higher then before
Green River – Green River
Green River –Take my soul out to the sea
Three Rings on my fingers
Past, present and fate
One came from Mississippi
The other from a different state
A state of forgiveness
Contradiction and the blues
A Green River is rising
Water filling up my shoes
Green River – Green River
Green River –Take my soul out to the sea
This ship ain’t moving
Its attached to the land
Last night I dreamed I was in prison
With a very dangerous man
I Woke up to the river
Who crept past us while we slept
A Green River keeps on rising
Until my eyes are soaking wet
Green River – Green River
Green River –Take my soul out to the sea
Dirty Old Man
In Memory of Charles Bukowski
Well I wake up around twelve-thirty
And I walk down to the bar
You want to know why I’m walking
Well I forgot where I parked my car
I’m good at conversation
Even better at writing it down
My face is like a road map
From the low-down side of town
Dirty Old Man
Dirty Old Man
Dirty Old Man
Dirty Old Man
I’ve had so many women
From the strange to the truly bizarre
When they’re too drunk to make it to the toilet
They can piss inside a jar
But still I keep on writing
It’s a wonder but its true
Pull up a bar stool little darling
And I’ll write something about you
Dirty Old Man
Dirty Old Man
Dirty Old Man
Dirty Old Man
Here’s to my friend Jimmy
That terrible vain piece of shit
But he had a way with the ladies
In fact they couldn’t get enough of it
Put on your dirty bathrobe
Curlers on top of your head
If I didn’t keep on drinking
I think I might be dead
Dirty Old Man
Dirty Old Man
Dirty Old Man
Dirty Old Man
My Father’s House
Last Night I slept hardly at all
The room was too hot and a party down the hall
Deliverance on TV but in another language
I was hungry
I coulda used a ham sandwich
Well finally I fell into that other world
As the sun was rising around my pillow I curled
And I dreamed I was high on a mountain crest
I was walking with my father who was 40 years dead
And I told him just behind that purple mountain ridge
A house lay there vacant and that house was his
It was perched on the shore of a California beach
It was his to have – it was within his reach
And then we saw just steps away
There was a drop into the deepest valley
And my father fell and he clutched the ground
Paralysed by fear
He couldn’t look down
And I his son I tried to lift him up
My eyes full of tears but he did not budge
Because his shoulders were too wide and he was too heavy to lift
And I knew that house would never be his
Because the gap that separated us was the drop of death
And I knew that I would never give that gift
And we the living we live with the dead
And sometimes they are too heavy to carry over the next
The next mountain ridge
Where a house lays waiting
On a sandy beach
Beyond my mortal reach
My mortal reach
And these mountains are steep and this gorge is deep
And a highway runs there and there is so much time to keep
So much time to keep
And I’m riding in a van with the windows wide open
Although speed and wind never carried anyone home
I keep hoping -I keep on hoping
I keep hoping – I keep on hoping – I keep hoping
Long Time Coming (Elliott Murphy/Tina Harris)
It’s been a long time coming
I could see the fire from miles down the road
Could see we were heading into the flames of a love burning out
I don’t wanna hold your hand
And pretend that it’s the same when it’s changed
Don’t wanna make up – I just wanna say goodbye
Don’t wanna take up – Where we left off last night
Don’t wanna stay down – And go another round
This time it’s good-bye
It’s been a long time coming – You can’t say it’s anything out of the blue
I’m not gonna miss feeling like this over what we turned into
I don’t wanna hold your hand
And pretend that it’s the same when it’s changed
Don’t wanna make up – I just wanna say goodbye
Don’t wanna take up – Where we left off last night
Don’t wanna stay down – And go another round
This time it’s good-bye
Put It Down
You can lie like a television baby flying innocent like a blue eyed dove
You can stand by a fountain with your landlord pitching coins but it ain’t gonna bring you luck – Cause I will know where you are and why and how and whatever that behavior well it really sucks – But the time we were young – was the time when my passion was on the run – And the time we were young – oh well now our love seems to be all eaten up – Put it down
The elite troopers of the harmonica commandos – they were marching to the John Sousa band – And I knew we was somewhere to the west of never never never never never never neverland – I saw no snow on the mountains but I knew the iceman he was coming anyway – But that’s another story for a rainy day – That’s another set of rules for another game I’m gonna play – Put it down
Well I was resting and I picked up a magazine in the restroom and I opened it to the page it was opened to before – There was a picture of a crying Spanish painter he was standing in a barroom full of whores
But his model she was nowhere to be seen cause she died just a year before – drinking absinthe on the quai with an African named Louis Amour
drinking absinthe on the Quai D’Orsay with an African named Louis Amour – that’s right
So I rode into the galleria and I went to my favorite toyshop
And I loaded up my BB gun so when I saw that lamppost I could give it a good shot – You know I missed by a mile or three – Although the truth was I wouldn’t have broken it if I could – The truth was my heart was already cracked although no one could see – Yeah the truth was my bulb was burned out and there was absolutely no life, no light left inside me
Hmmm…
So I went down by the frontier watching the troops in black silk skate past – I was sipping ginger ale and a near beer at the Martinez and I knew these good times couldn’t last – There was some kinda demonstration gong on down in the MIDEM market place of sounds
Ah but man I was so out of it I didn’t know if it was laughter or if somebody was about to drown – Yeah I was so completely out of it and my consciousness had just left town
So once again I slipped across the old border when the guards were looking the other way – At a parade of retired revolutionaries – We all raised our hands and said hip hip hooray – And than came the dirty general and his staff – And man they were as infected as can be
When they tried to shake my hand – I said please don’t touch me
So they all put their dress gloves on and said now we’re gonna do it to you for free – That’s right
So I found a shoe that I was comfortable in – It was black – it was soft – it was suede – And I’m gonna walk a thousand miles to your house – if I could just get out of the Lincoln brigade – See I had misplaced ideals – they were lost in the sixties or before – And the present was changing so rapidly and the future was already a bore – Yeah things were changing so fast but even Bill Gates couldn’t tell me what for – That’s right
So you better change your eyeglasses you better change your underwear
But I won’t change my mind – Because now I’m trying to be nice to you but you’re gonna wait till the very next time – When I’m gonna tell you what I really think – I’m a gonna pull no punches at all – And like the true sportsman that I’ve always been I’m gonna say I’m gonna pass the ball
And the stadium will rise in a grand unison and we’re gonna watch you take a fall – Ah that’s all…that’s all
Now can you tell me why they make the telephone books yellow – Why they make the toilettes white – Can you tell me who’s been screeching tires around my corner when it’s the middle of the night – And why I am alone again – But why am I at peace – Is it just that lonesome Hurricane weather ah but the season is so brief – When the barometric pressure it allows my good pants to finally keep a crease – Oh mama…
You know I’ve stayed in this motel before perhaps in this very same room
I think we slept together in this queen-sized bed together under the silver golden anniversary moon – And there was still some kinda mystery back then – Ah that’s what I liked about you – Back when I was a detective – you were my own best clue – But the case it was never really solved – Because you alibi so quickly fell through – That’s right fell through
Now that’s eleven verses – It’s after midnight and I gotta go – I gotta pack my bags tonight – Cause tomorrow the morning comes so bright and early and so bright – And I wonder who am I singing to – When there’s just me and the carpet and the wall – Its the rainy season of my memory – I hear drops of recollections leaking down the hall – And a memory you gotta put it down so gently cause it will drop if you let it fall – Ah its the rainy season of my memory and I’m just gonna let it all fall – Put It Down
Hard Core
There was some kinda party going down in Paradise
When everybody got hungry – doesn’t that food look nice
So they ate the apple – right down to the core
Adam turned to Eve – and he called her a whore
Hard Core – we see everything and nothing
But its nothing – I didn’t see before
Hard Core – when I press your flesh beside me
Show me what love is for
I bought love for money – I traded love for hate
I traded trust for suspicion – big time mistake
Gimme your hand – let me take it in mine
We’ll take a chance on the real thing – one last time
Hard Core – we see everything and nothing
But its nothing – I didn’t see before
Hard Core – when I press your flesh beside me
Show me what love is for
And I like what you like and you’re right and just what I’m looking for
Is it all right to touch you and just you
Can stop what I’m looking for
Closing all my other doors
Let’s get out of the garden – It’s getting late
Hurry up – they’re shutting the gate
Hard Core – we see everything and nothing
But its nothing – I didn’t see before
Hard Core – when I press your flesh beside me
Show me what love is for
Everything I do (Leads Me Back to You)
Everything I do – leads me back to you
See me standing in the acid rain
Full of existential pain
You can look for love so long
Until you’re sure you’ll never feel so good again
Then you came along
Like a angel like a lover like a friend
Yeah everything I do
Leads me back to you
Well I’m a man without a place
Sometimes afraid to show my face
Hear me humming in the night
When you turn out the light
They can blow my tires out
Till I’m filled up with nothing else but doubt
Still I’m rolling on my rims
Oh baby coming back to you again
Yeah everything I do
Leads me back to you
When I’m on the rise
When its do or die
Oh lullaby
Would you take an alibi
If I said it was you and I
Further on…
Cause its everything I do
Everything I do
You know it’s hard for a man to sing
When his pride blocks everything
You can have a way with words
When your thoughts they can’t be heard
But don’t take it the wrong way
Like half the things I ever tried to say
Well I got my demons too
But my angels they’re all cheering for you
Cause everything I do
It leads me back to you
All Songs by Elliott Murphy
Except “Hardcore” by Elliott Murphy & Matt Noble, “Long Time Coming” by Elliott Murphy & Tina Harris, “Ground Zero” by Elliott Murphy & Olivier Durand, “Come On Luann” by Elliott Murphy & Olivier Durand
Lyrics used by Permission
All Rights Reserved
© & P 2005 Elliott Murphyy
Never Say Never: The Best Of 1995-2005…And More
Last Call Records
2005
Produced by Elliott Murphy
Cover designed by Chloe
Photos by Vincent Lignier, Marc Ginot, Willie Dumalin & Daniel Fickle
Production Assistance by Olivier Durand
Sequence by Gaspard Murphy
“Never Say Never” (previously unreleased)
EM: Vocals, Electric Guitar
Olivier Durand: Dobro, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Ernie Brooks: Bass
Danny Montgomery: Drums
Kenny Margolis: Organ
Patrick Riguelle: Backing Vocals
Recorded/Mixed by Florent Barbier at Franklin Studios, Le Havre France
“Come On Louann”
EM: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Olivier Durand: 12 String Guitar
Ernie Brooks: Bass
Danny Montgomery: Drums
Florent Barbier: Percussion
Kenny Margolis: Piano, Accordion
Patrick Riguelle: Backing Vocals
Jorge Otero: Mandolin
Recorded/Mixed by Florent Barbier at Franklin Studios, Le Havre France
“Small Room”
EM: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Ernie Brooks: Bass
Olivier Durand: Guitar, Mandolin
Mark Kerr: Percussion
Nils De Caster: Violin
Recorded/Mixed by Roger Robindore at Beauregard Studios, Paris
“A Little Push”
EM: Vocals, Nylon Guitar, Bass, Harmonica, Organ
Olivier Durand: Telecaster Guitar
Florent Barbier: Drums, Percussion
Kenny Margolis: Fender Rhodes Piano
Antoinette McDouglas: Backing Vocals
Recorded/Mixed by Florent Barbier at Franklin Studios, Le Havre France
“On Romeo Street” (alternate mix)
EM: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Ernie Brooks: Bass
Olivier Durand: Guitar
Jonathan Kane: Drums
Kenny Margolis: Hammond Organ
Recorded/Mixed by Ryan Smith at Livewire Studios, New York City
“Tell Me”
EM: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Ernie Brooks: Bass
Olivier Durand: Lead Guitar
Danny Montgomery: Drums
Kenny Margolis: Chamberlain, Moog
Christophe Leroux: Cello
Recorded/Mixed by Florent Barbier at Franklin Studios, Le Havre, France
“Ground Zero”
Elliott Murphy – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass
Olivier Durand – Guitars, Vocals
Danny Montgomery – Drums
Thomas Schaetel: Keyboards
Recorded/Mixed by Florent Barbier at Franklin Studios, Le Havre France
“Green River” (radio edit)
Elliott Murphy: Vocals, Electric Guitar, Bass, Organ
Olivier Durand: Acoustic Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Cindy Bullens: Acoustic Guitar & Vocals, Backing Vocals
Florent Barbier: Drums, Percussion
Recorded/Mixed by Florent Barbier at Franklin Studios, Le Havre France
“Dirty Old Man” (previously unreleased)
EM: Vocals, Electric Guitar
Olivier Durand: Dobro, Backing Vocals
Ernie Brooks: Bass
Danny Montgomery: Drums
Kenny Margolis: Piano, Accordion
Patrick Riguelle: Backing Vocals
Recorded/Mixed by Florent Barbier at Franklin Studios, Le Havre France
“My Father’s House” (previously unreleased)
EM: Vocals, Electric Guitar
Olivier Durand: Dobro, Backing Vocals
Ernie Brooks: Bass
Danny Montgomery: Drums
Kenny Margolis: Piano, Accordion
Patrick Riguelle: Backing Vocals
Recorded/Mixed by Florent Barbier at Franklin Studios, Le Havre France
“Long Time Coming” (previously unreleased)
EM: Vocals, Electric Guitar
Olivier Durand: Dobro
Ernie Brooks: Bass
Danny Montgomery: Drums
Kenny Margolis: Keyboards
Patrick Riguelle: Backing Vocals
Recorded/Mixed by Florent Barbier at Franklin Studios, Le Havre France
“Put It Down”
EM: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Ernie Brooks: Bass
Olivier Durand: Guitar
Jonathan Kane: Drums
Kenny Margolis: Hammond Organ
Recorded/Mixed by Ryan Smith at Livewire Studios, New York City
“Hard Core”
EM: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica
Matt Noble: Guitar, Keyboards, Drums
Ernie Brooks: Bass
Recorded/Mixed by Matt Noble at AudioMaster Studios, New York City
“Everything I Do (Leads Me Back To You)”
EM: Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars
Bruce Springsteen: Vocals
BJ Scott & Mieke Delanghe: Backing Vocals
Andy Newmark: Drums
Chucho Merchan: Acoustic Bass
Bertrand Bonello: Piano
Kevin Mulligan: Guitar
Recorded/Mixed/Co-Produced by Djoum at ICP Studios, Brussels
Thanks to John Hastry
Record By Record, Murphy By Murphy: Never Say Never: The Best Of 1995-2006… And More
Another “best of” compilation of sorts concentrating on the years 1995 – 2005 that Patrick Mathe of Last Call and New Rose wanted to release which included three previously unreleased tracks, one of which, “My Father’s House,” I wrote in a van while driving through northern Italy after a very troublesome dream. I think there was a DVD included as well which had some videos and a visual discography. Maybe more. Sometimes I look back at these projects and don’t know how I did it. Where did these new songs come from? How did I create the DVD? When the muse is on your shoulder you have to keep moving or she’ll fly away.
Except for its earliest period, 1973-1977, Elliott Murphy’s recording career has been conducted on small, independent record labels, many of them in Europe, some of them founded by him. As such, Murphy has never had a hit single, but his concerts and recordings have been successful enough to earn him a faithful cult following that allows his career to go on, and he has periodically assembled compilations to sum up phases in that career. Diamonds by the Yard: A Career Retrospective, 1973-1977 cherry-picked the major-label years; Going Through Something: The Best of Elliott Murphy covered the period 1978 through 1991; and now Never Say Never takes the artist from the mid-’90s to the mid-2000s. Murphy is a consistent performer who has hewed to a similar style throughout his career. Strongly influenced by the folk-rock style of Bob Dylan and inspired by his readings in English literature, he writes and performs literate, poetic songs that reflect on life and love, employing rich imagery with an increasingly wry, dispassionate perspective worthy of Leonard Cohen. Blowing on a harmonica, strumming an acoustic guitar, and fronting a rock rhythm section (usually with a second guitar and sometimes keyboards), he sings those songs in a wheezy tenor reminiscent of Tom Petty, but less adenoidal. The ten songs he draws from his albums of the period are typically melodic efforts, leaning toward his more romantic side, and he makes room for a couple of long story-songs (the seven-minute “On Romeo Street” and the ten-minute “Put It Down”) that recall such Dylan efforts as “Desolation Row.” “Ground Zero” is a heartfelt evocation of 9/11, and the ballad “Everything I Do (Leads Me Back to You)” is a duet with Bruce Springsteen. There are also four previously unreleased tracks, of which the best is the dream song “My Father’s House.” “Dirty Old Man,” on the other hand, may not really belong on an album claiming to contain the artist’s best, but it is an amusing change-of-pace novelty. The album comes with a DVD that features five songs drawn from a concert in Ferrara, including such old favorites as “Last of the Rock Stars.” There are also two music videos, a discography, and a brief biography.
William Ruhlmann – AllMusic
Vinyl LPs
Germany:
Blue Rose Records BLU LP0358
*Note: With bonus 7″ single.
CDs
France:
Last Call Records 3100842
Germany:
Blue Rose Records BLU DP0358
*Note: With bonus DVD
Please note: If you have additions or corrections to this discography, please send them to the webmaster.