March 2023
Lots happening here in Murphyland folks. Ladies first, so let me begin by saying how thrilled I am to announce that Murphyland Records will release Abigail Rose Clark’s tremendously exciting version of “Just A Story from America” (the title track off my 1977 album of the same name) on all known streaming platforms (Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music etc.) on March 16, which, by the way, just so happens to be my birthday and for those of you who are interested in such things I’m born the same year as Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Bonnie Raitt, Jerry Harrison, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep and my Long Island homeboy Billy Joel. As Frank Sinatra would sing: It was a very good year!
Abigail Rose Clark is the daughter of Dane Clark (check out his own wonderful album “Memory Mile” (I co-wrote and sang on the title track). Dane also has the honored distinction of being the long-time drummer of one of my favorite artists of all-time – the great John Mellencamp. When I first heard Abigail’s version of JASFA I was completely blown away with the new life she has imbued in that nearly 50-year-old melody. She has energized JASFA with not only her amazing singing chops but also with her dad’s impeccable drumming (check out his monumental drum fill near the end of the song) and now I’m tempted to copy her arrangement from now on when I perform JASFA live.
Which I just might be doing when I make my annual two-night appearance on stage at the legendary New Morning in Paris on March 17 & 18, aka “The Birthday Shows.” I have been playing here (my favorite club in Paris) since 1989 and I’m up to about 100 concerts on this exact same stage – I think I must have performed there longer and more consistently than any other artist except for Nina Simone, another US expat musician who found a secure place to live and work in France.
And finally, soon to be released on Murphyland Records will be an EP of three outtakes from the Wonder ablum sessions: Wonder-Full, which will include “Metaphysical Moments,” “Where Do We Go from Here” and my own humble version of Leonard Cohen’s classic “Suzanne” (plus a surprise for a rainy day). We might even press some CDs if there is enough interest so let us know!
We aim to please so as Elvis Costello (another one of my favorite artists who I’d love to collaborate with someday, someway) might say My Aim is True … or at least close to the mark whenever possible.
Watch a short video preview of Abigail Rose Clark’s “Just A Story From America.”