Classic Americana Albums: Trish Murphy “Crooked Mile”

Debut albums from an unknown artist are always not only difficult to make, but also challenging to market and get decent sales. Trish Murphy is a Houston native and her father was a struggling musician as she grew up with her younger brother and older sister. Her father encouraged all three to sing background harmonies for him through their school years. Her wise father also suggested his eldest daughter find gigs to financially support herself. She started as a duo with her brother Darin and they became a successful act in the Houston area in the early nineties. She then released a self made tape of six songs she’d written and they sold out almost immediately.

Then in 1997, Murphy had amassed enough songs to go into the studio – aided brilliantly by producer David McNair – who’s worked with the likes of Chuck Prophet, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Southside Johnny, The Silos amongst many others. She started her own record label – Raven Records – and managed to get such stalwarts as Jon Dee Graham and Gurf Morlix to add some fine guitar work to the album.

And what a barnstormer of an album she made – chock full of cracking songs, all self penned and 25 odd years on, it still bristles and oozes quality and class. The opener ‘Concession Stand Song’ is reassuringly strong – with some lovely edgy guitar work and some glorious harmonica from Murphy’s brother, Darin. Track two is a bona fide classic – ‘Date With An Angel’ – about a 19 year old heading for the City Of Angels, with Cary Bowman adding some superb electric guitar towards the end. ‘She Belongs To Me’ is an acoustic shuffle with some gorgeous piano accompanying the classy guitar work. ‘Smarter Than The Devil’ has a solid Sheryl Crow feel and ‘Scorpio Tequila‘ is a superb rocker, with raw, crunchy electric guitars, riffing like there’s no tomorrow.

Album highlight though, is the astounding ballad ‘Boiling Water’, which begins with some fine acoustic guitar work – before electric sounds and a powerful drum beat are introduced. It’s a sad story of family problems – and Murphy’s powerful vocals bring it alive. It’s already a classic tune, but then we as a finale have the fantastic Gurf Morlix, who brings in a guitar solo that still almost makes me cry with joy it’s so powerful and emotive. One of Americana’s finest and least well known songs – it’s simply stupendous.

A few years after this album was released, Murphy came to the UK to promote her next release – ‘Rubies On The Lawn’ – I was working at a London radio station and she came in for a chat and asked me if there’s a song she could play. She agreed to my suggestion and, acoustic guitar in hand, she played ‘Boiling Water’. It was mesmerising.

Murphy went on to record three more great albums – the aforementioned ‘Rubies On The Lawn’, a live album ‘Captured’ and her last album ‘Girls Get In Free’. All are fantastic.  She’s now in a 70’s and 80’s covers band – Skyrocket. Sadly ‘Crooked Mile’ isn’t easily available to stream now – but you can lay your hands on second-hand copies of the CD for a reasonable price.

Murphy is a great songwriter, a brilliant performer, she’s striking and has a powerful voice. Why ‘Crooked Mile‘ wasn’t a big hit is a complete mystery. It’s time more people get introduced to her music – it so deserves a wider audience.