Crooked Mile

Description

Product Description Critically acclaimed 1998 debut by Austin, Texas songwriter Trish Murphy. Produced and recorded by Dave McNair. Grittier and less glossy than her 1999 follow up 'Rubies on the Lawn,' 'Crooked Mile' has well-crafted songs, raw energy and fencepost-edgy vocals that convey an uncontrived honesty and vulnerability. Review "BY RIGHTS, THIS ALBUM SHOULD HAVE YIELDED AT LEAST FOUR OR FIVE HIT SINGLES ALREADY." -- ORLANDO SENTINEL"TRISH MURPHY SCORES LIKE JORDAN ON CROOKED MILE.... AN UNEXPECTED, WELCOME REVELATION." -- AUSTIN CHRONICLE"Trish Murphy plays music that could be described as Tom Petty meets Jewel meets Lucinda Williams." -- BILLBOARD P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); About the Artist It's fortunate record stores haven't taken all that "women in rock" hype seriously enough to create a separate section for female artists. Austin, Texas recording artist Trish Murphy would certainly be misfiled, having more in common with straight-shooters and storytellers like Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen. In a musical climate dominated by female pop stars, she has staked out a niche with her songwriting that transcends predictability -- and gender. Trish Murphy's songs come from anywhere -- whether she's collaborating with the SWAT-team detective who lives next door ("St. Christopher"), other musicians like David Grissom ("Runaway Train"), or just reading the newspaper for inspiration ("The Trouble With Trouble"). Her style is undeniably American, reflecting the winding road of her musical influences and life experiences. She has a youthful, fencepost-rusty voice that doesn't do any fancy tricks but can rivet an audience with its capacity to carry emotions wrapped around beguiling melodies. A Houston, Texas native, Ms. Murphy officially launched her music career by quitting her college job at The Wall Street Journal for a stint of local open-mic nights. Her father, a struggling musician and songwriter, taught his three children to sing background harmonies for him when they were preschoolers. Although he eventually had to take jobs in construction to make a living, the family kept its bohemian values. While she was working her way through school, her dad encouraged her to get gigs to support herself rather than pursue the proverbial something-to-fall-back-on. After receiving a B.A. in philosophy, she decided to fall back on music full-time. Her discography includes three solo albums, two of which she recorded and released on her own label. Crooked Mile was released independently in April 1997 to widespread critical raves. National distribution soon followed, along with constant touring throughout the U.S. and Europe. Tour highlights included a week with Lilith Fair, spearheaded by Sarah McLachlan, and appearances on Mountain Stage and World Cafe. Her follow-up CD, Rubies on the Lawn (Doolittle/Mercury 1999), garnered national press, mainstream radio airplay and more international touring, including a return to the Lilith Fair in its final season. Captured, independently released in late 2001, finds Trish returning to her Texas roots in a stripped-down, live acoustic setting, doing what she does best: telling stories and shooting from the hip. See more