Genre: rock
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: JF Murphy & Salt
Company: Elektra
Catalog: EKS
75024
Year: 1972
Country/State: New York, New York
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: gatefold sleeve; cut top right corner
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5490
Price: $20.00
Given the rave reviews this one attracts from the handful of people who've actually heard it, I've held on to for a couple of years, but in spite of repeated efforts to figure out it's appeal, just never got it.
Can't say I know a great deal about these guys. Namesake Murphy had prevously recorded a solo LP for Verve Forecast - 1970's cleverly titled "JF Murphy (Verve Forecast catalog number FTS-3085).
His solo career going nowhere fast Murphy turned his attention to a band format, hooking up with multi-instrumentalists Ron Allard, George Christ, drummer Bob Paiva, lead guitarist Joe Parrino, and bassist Russell Warmolts. Known as JF Murphy & Salt the six piece developed a loyal local following playing New York and New Jersey clubs and the local college circuit. That exposure caught the attention of MGM which signed the group to a contract releasing 1970's "Almost Home" (MGM catalog number SE-4708). Never heard it so I can't make any comments on it.
MGM promotional picture
Dropped by MGM the band signed with Elektra. Produced by Eddie Kramer, 1972's "JF Murphy & Salt" was a mostly live set capturing the band at a series of college performances including dates at The University of Hartford, Nassau Community College, and Trent State College. The closing country-flavored track ' If Wishes Were Horses' was clearly a studio effort. Musically the set showcased the band's weird mixture of blues ('Kansas City'), country ('Country Jam'), jazz-rock fusion, traditional Irish tunes, straight-ahead rock, and social and political activism (the anti-war 'Waiting Hymn of the Republic'). It was definitely different and occasionally a bit disconcerting; particularly when they mixed all the genres together in one song - check out 'First Born', or 'Silver Horn' - the latter having a plotline about young guy trying to pass himself off as a Leprechaun at an Irish dance). Muphy was an okay singer who occasionally reminded me a bit of a bluesier Burton Cummings. All six members were impressive musicians (guitarist Joe Parrino deserved special notice), and there was no denying their professionalism, but there just wasn't much here that caught my ear. The need to stretch out musically also didn't do the band any favors. Their cover of the blues classic 'Kansas City' went on for over 12 minutes and was basically unlistenable. Guess you had to be in the audience to get the full effect. Elektra also tapped the LP for a single in the form of:
- 'If Wishes Were Horses' b/w '???' (Elektra catalog number EK-45763)
"JF Murphy
& Salt" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) The Example (JF Murphy) - 6:40
2.) First Born (JF Murphy) - 4:04
3.) Waiting Hymn of the Republic (JF Murphy) - 2:48
4.) Silver Horn (JF Murphy) - 8:55
(side
2)
1.) Country Jam (JF Murphy) - 2:41
2.) Soft September (JF Murphy) - 4:15
3.) Kansas City (Jerry Lieber - Mike Stoller) - 12:06
4.) If Wishes Were Horses (JF Murphy) - 3:05
I've never seen or heard copies, but there are at least three other studio sets.
Dropped by Elektra the band signed with Columbia, releasing 1973's "The Last Illusion" (Columbia catalog number PC-32539). Unfortunately their timing proved lousy as no sooner had the LP been released than Columbia underwent a corporate restructuring that saw them drop dozens of newly signed acts including these guys.
"The Last Illusion" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Sweet Byrd (JF Murphy) -
2.) Which One (JF Murphy) -
3.) Teenage Fantasy (JF Murphy) -
4.) Touched By Love (JF Murphy) -
(side 2)
1.) Bell Toll (JF Murphy) -
2.) New York City/Home (JF Murphy) -
3.) Man Who Is Alone (JF Murphy) -
4.) Last Illusion (JF Murphy) -
Two years later under the name Murphy's Law the band reappeared signed to Dunhill where they released and album entitled "Urban Renewal" (Dunhull catalog DS-50194).
"Urban Renewal" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Bagpipes - 0:45
2.) Mad Monk - 3:52
3.) Those Magnificent Clows - 4:41
4.) Bushwackers
(side 2)
1.) Seabird and the Flying Dutchman - 5:54
2.)Almost a Take (Beer Barrel Polka) - 1:50
3.) Doze Jazz Guys - 2:14
4.) I'd Rather Be - 3:30
5.) Somebody To Believe In - 3:28
6.) Usin' You - 3:21
At some point Murphy and the rest of the band split with Murphy performing as JF Murphy and Soul Up and the rest of the outfit adopting the moniker Free Flowing Salt. For anyone interested Free Flowing Salt has a small website at:
http://www.freeflowingsalt.com/
Allard, Paiva, Parrino, and Warmolts apparently tried to reactivate Free Flowing Salt. Poor health forced Warmolts to drop out and the project seems to have run out of steam. Wamolts subsequently died.
Christ is still active in music playing with The Wes Houston Band.
Namesake Murphy turned his attention to writing Broadway scores.