"Murph"

Widely regarded as the best jazz steel player of his generation, Joaquin Murphey left the musical spotlight and lived in relative obscurity until Forum members Michael Johnstone and Chas Smith coaxed him to don the picks once more in 1995. Chas built him a custom pedal steel, and Michael found him some swinging musicians to jam with.

From 1996 to 1999, Joaquin recorded new compositions and old favorites at Michael's Class Act Studios. Then, on October 25, 1999, Earl James "Joaquin" Murphey passed away. This CD is the result of those final recording sessions of his life.

I can't find enough superlatives to describe this album. It swings and sways with big, beautiful chords and relaxed jazz phrasings. It is music of the big band era, with the steel guitar taking the part of the whole horn section. Murph had a perfect mastery of classic, pre-bop jazz. This is one CD that I never get tired of listening to. 

1. Squirrley Shirley*
2. Pauline*
3. Vicodin Stomp*
4. I'll Never Smile Again
5. Charmaine
6. Penthouse Serenade
7. Melancholy Baby
8. Red Sails in the Sunset
9. Night and Day
10. Moon of Manakoora
11. Sun Valley Suite Pt. 1*
12. Sun Valley Suite Pt. 2*
13. Sun Valley Suite Pt. 3*
14. Sun Valley Suite Pt. 4*
15. So Says Murph 

"Memories of Joaquin Murphy"

Recorded in the 1970's at Bud & Geri Isaac's home in California, this spectacular set demonstrates why Joaquin is widely revered as the first great jazz steel guitarist. The band includes Bud and Geri on rhythm guitar and bass respectively (Geri cooks on bass!), Roy Lanham on lead guitar and Jud Saltzman on drums. Bud must have had some fine equipment too, as the quality of this recording rivals that of many professional studios of the day. There's also a bonus track by the Spade Cooley band.

1. Brows'n
2. Carefree Waltz
3. Dance of the Night Blooming Fungus
4. Flawin' the Strings
5. Happy Strings
6. Honeysuckle Rose
7. Moonglow
8. My True Love
9. Sweet Reverie/God's Been Good To Me
10. Sweet Georgia Brown
11. Your Cheating Heart
12. Oklahoma Stomp (Spade Cooley Band)