Hard Bargain

Murphy is a fiery and intense fiddler. He has mastered all the propulsive, locomotive tricks and licks of old-time and bluegrass fiddle, but there's a distinctly East European flavour to his playing. Opening track ‘Caves of Killala’ sums up his style perfectly; beginning with impressionistic, lonesome Eastern-tinged fiddle, he moves into what could be a traditional Irish jig before a driving old-time song begins in earnest. The Los Angeles-based violinist has played on numerous rock, folk and Americana albums as a gun for hire, and has a slew of critically acclaimed solo albums to his name. On Hard Bargain, he bravely presents us with an entirely solo live album, recorded in concert before an audience in Boise, Idaho: it's just Murphy's fiddle, voice and the stomp of his foot. Not many artists could hold our attention over ten songs with such limited means; variety is introduced via mandolin-like plucking and strumming, as heard to great effect on the minor-key ‘Bugs Salcido’. Murphy's is, in truth, not the most naturally charismatic of singing voices, but it is a testament to his honesty, focus and unbridled energy as a performer and historically informed songwriter that he wins you over and keeps you listening. There's a compelling monomania to his fiddling, and it's entirely suited to the tales of desperate men and women in the songs of Hard Bargain.