Friday, August 10, 2012

Blown away by Maureen Murphy

Kristi and I had the pleasure of getting to hear R&B artist Maureen Murphy perform at Douglas Corner last night.
...Long pause...to catch my breath.
Now I know we all have our opinions and they are tainted/formed by past experience. And to preface this bold statement I am about to make, I'll remind you I have been a singer/songwriter, drummer, guitarist, musician and music lover for 40-something years. I have heard some great vocals in my time. But I have to say that Maureen's performance last night was probably the best live vocal performance I have ever witnessed. There were moments during one of her songs that I had chills and tears at the same time.
I think what hit me the most was her humble nature, but she still had complete command of the stage, the audience and her band. She was authentic, believable, powerful and vulnerable all at the same time. She sang from the soul and that is ultra rare. I swear I had a spiritual moment during her singing, "I won't be around". Vocally it was flawless, but she has that indescribable quality that takes it to a whole other level.

Unbelievable Maureen! I highly, highly recommend buying her 3-song EP by clicking this link. Thank you for giving us an amazing performance last night. I feel truly blessed to have been there.

Peace and love,

Phil
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4 comments:

Berry Ladd said...

Maureen Murphy is a Diamond in the rough of Nashville, it was an Honor to have her appear on Nashville Flipside, and the Machine is on of the tightest bands in Nashville

August 13, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Phil Bennett said...

You are right Berry! It was nice meeting you too! What a wonderful night!!

August 13, 2012 at 1:10 PM
Unknown said...

Phil-
Just wanted to let you know that I use Maureen on ALL of my publishing demos.
My wife and I live in LA, but most all of our material goes to Nashville. Several years ago I was in need of a new female vocalist, so a friend of mine suggested I check-out 'demosingers.com'. Well, I waded-through about a dozen singers, none of which did it for me. Last on the list was Maureen. (Mind you, I was in bed with an iPad) So, I clicked-on 'Won't Be Around'. Holy Moley! I sat straight-up and yelled to my wife, (the songwriter) I found her! I had only listened to the intro of the tune . . . that's all that I needed. Since then, Maureen has become a close friend and I can attest to her, as you say, "She was authentic, believable, powerful and vulnerable all at the same time. She sang from the soul and that is ultra rare. I swear I had a spiritual moment during her singing, "I won't be around". Vocally it was flawless, but she has that indescribable quality that takes it to a whole other level."

Maureen has made our songs and publishing catalog worth gold.

Michael Huey / HueyTunes

August 13, 2012 at 3:11 PM
Phil Bennett said...

Thanks Michael! I am in the process of writing a song with her in mind. I was so inspired by her voice the first time I heard it as well. Great artists have a way of inspiring listeners. She is definately awesome!

Thanks for reading!

Phil

August 14, 2012 at 10:04 AM

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Quote of the year...

“Be not the judges of men, but love your brothers and sisters, and find ways to reach out to them in common goals and aspirations. Where there is love in common, the divisions of creed will melt away and reveal the true nature of man’s eternal destiny -- one of unity in purpose, to be perfect as the Father is perfect."

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Special people & places

"Ashokan Farewell" by Jay Ungar

"The Third Day" a short story by my daughter Cagney Bennett

"The Third Day"

It was raining outside.

The raindrops covered everything as though they were cleaning, washing away the sin of the earth. He came to my door. The rain had covered him like a blanket. It hid his tears, his grief. But I could see.

We didn't speak. I stood in my doorway and him on the porch and we looked at each other. I don't know when, but I started to cry. Sobbing, for the entire world to see. I wanted to make him understand. I just stood there and watched him. He nodded and slowly put out his hand. I reached mine across the threshold, to grab him and pull him to me. He was gone.

I can't sleep.

I keep all the lights on and sit on my bed. When I close my eyes, I see the same scene. Playing over and over in my head. My mother tries to comfort me, but she doesn't understand. She can't comprehend the guilt I am feeling. She tells me,

"You need to move on. It's not healthy to be so upset over something like this. It happens. And you've got to keep living. Just remember the good things."

I don't answer her when she tells me this. I pretend not to hear. I stare at her, letting her glimpse my pain. Finally she gets exhausted over this battle and leaves me in my grief.

And it's only the first day.

The next day my mother tells me I have to go to school. Being with my friends will make me feel better. I go to my first class and I feel that all eyes are on me. Even if it isn't true. My friends give me sympathetic looks and hugs all day. Those comforting throw-away words are said in my direction through out the day. I don't listen.

At the end of the day, my best friend grabs my arm and pulls me aside.

"You look like crap. Seriously, I don't mean to be blunt but, wow, I'm seriously worried. Do you need someone to talk to? I'm here to listen. I bet you have a lot of stuff to get off your chest." I tell her I don't want to talk about it.

"Here's another alternative. Try writing. It'll help, I swear. But I want you to call me and talk whenever you want. OK?"
I nod in her direction and start to walk away.

"Wait! I gotta know, will you go?"

I don't answer. I just keep walking.

Luckily the house is empty when I get home. I go upstairs to my room. Lying on my bed is a picture that I've never seen before. It is me and him talking with our heads bent towards each other. His arm is around me, pulling me closer. And I'm smiling contently. Where did this picture come from? I feel tears in my eyes start to fall. Can't think about it. Don't think. Please don't think.

I drop the picture on the bed and go take a shower. I turn the water as hot as it will go. Perhaps in hope of scalding me. Let my pain be compared to his.

After my shower, I go back to my room and put the picture under my bed. I sit on my bed for a while and then get a notebook.

Dear you, You took my heart and I want it back. How dare you hurt me like you did...Dear you,I miss you. I love you. I'm sorry. I want to hold you once more...Dear you, One day I hope you receive this letter. I want you to understand the pain. How much I ache for you. I can't even write the anguish I feel. Why can't we be together? I miss everything...

I throw the notebook across the room in disgust. There was no hope in letting out my hurt by writing. I'm not ready for it. I fall back on the bed and wearily close my eyes. Sometime later, my mother comes into my roomand covers me up, but I don't try to fully wake up. Let me sleep in my dark abyss.

And it's only the second day.

When I wake the next morning, it is raining. I have an intense feeling of déjà vu. My mother comes in with two pink roses.

"Do you know what you're going to wear? I have a couple ideas. I thought you could take these roses. You can do whatever you want with them. Do you want me to come with you? I'd be happy to."

I shake my head and thank her for the roses. She gives me a hug, causing my tears to start again. After she leaves, I attempt to find something to wear. The clothes blur together and finally I grab something black and put it on. With my hair up in a bun, I don't look like the girl I used to be. Pain has etched lines in my face and the black dress makes me look paler than I already am.

As I leave the room, for some reason, I grab the picture from under the bed and take it with me.

I am standing in front of the box. The only thing that remains of him on this earth is this box. I watched it be lowered into the ground.

"Dear you, "I say quietly, "You are the earth and the sky to me. You are the air that I breathe. You brought my cold heart to life with your love. Not a day will go by that I will forget your smile, your touch, your words. I will never stop saying praise to God for bringing you to me. I've lost my other half.Good-bye.Love, me"

I set the pink roses and the picture of us on the coffin. I let myself cry one last time. Then I walk away.

And it's only the third day.