Have a Shot of Love with Willie Murphy

by Doug MacRostie

Willie Murphy is one of the most influential musicians ever from Minnesota; he was one of the original three Charter Members of MN Music Hall of Fame (along with the likes of Bob Dylan and Prince) and he helped define the sound of R&B and Blues since the 70's through today, including his work with The Angel Headed Hipsters and Willie and the Bees, not to mention his other solo projects and releases. His new double CD is called "A Shot of Live in a Time of Need / Autobiographical Notes" and Willie will talk with me about it this Thursday night at 6 on Centerstage MN.

Willie Murphy creates thought-provoking, fun music and"A Shot of Love in a Time of Need" (his first release with Redhouse Records) is a sizzling soul, funk and R&B album complete with horns, funky rhythms and grooves beyond all boundaries. While this album doesn't have as much political content as some of his other work, the theme of caring for each other and helping each other is strong. "Autobiographical Notes" is a collection of mostly folky miscellaneous tunes he's collected over the years that never seemed to quite fit the project he was working on at the time, and it definitely shows another, and perhaps more personal, side of Willie. With this double CD featuring soul, jazz, funk, rock and folk, this wildly eccentric album embodies the best of Willie Murphy and is sure to be an instant classic.

We'll also hear new music from another outstanding Redhouse Records' artist, The Pines. From Iowa and operating out of MN, The Pines new album "Tremolo" is definitely going to be in my Macedelic Music Awards Top 10 of the Year (that's right, the REAL MMA's will be back agian this year :D).

And we'll hear a song from The Brother Burn Mountain's debut release from a few years back called "The Blood of a Thousand Clouds." BBM is one of the most exciting bands I've discoverd since hosting Centerstage MN (they've been on 3 times) and they've got some gigs coming up this weekend in the area: Thursday the 19th at The Iron Horse in Nevis starting at 7. Friday, the 20th at Bensons in Walker at 7 and on Saturday the 21st they’ll be at Brigid’s Cross Irish Pub in Bemidji starting at 8.

And the show will end with a live/acoustic recording of Take Cover performing on Centerstage MN to help us get ready for our Thanksgiving Special next week: Turkeys will rain from the sky and the Cranberries will flow like blood as we give thanks to MN Metal :D

Centerstage MN is Thursday evenings at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org and the show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.