Twin Cities Revue, Minneapolis, MN

April 29, 1999

Dave Murphy
Under the Lights
(Phoenix Night Productions)

Too often, musicians who sizzle onstage are overproduced, sanitized and laminated in the studio. When their fans hit the store to buy a new release, they get a cartoon version of their hero, rather than the raw performance quality they expect. Not so with Dave Murphy. To paraphrase Clause Debussy, this New Jersey local’s debut album exemplifies the fact that “the music is the stuff between the notes.” Hands-off production and sparse instrumentation leave plenty of room for the listener to fall into the tracks and enjoy the elbow room here, rather than having to fight crowds of horns, bass drums, feedback, and backup singers.

Murphy’s pure vocals and intricate guitar work stand front and center on this album. The intimacy of his tales makes common subject matter compelling; even the most warn subjects (say, falling in love) seem surprisingly fresh, thanks to Murphy’s gift for uplifting melodies and sparse backing vocals. The extraordinary musicians he’s mustered for this album know when to shine and when to dim, depending on the mood of the piece. Their occasional flourishes, often reminiscent of Santana and Blues Traveler, add just enough texture but never distract.

Though it makes the album shine, the stuff between the notes would mean little if Murphy couldn’t deliver the goods. The collection’s simple, clean production compliments his bare-bones lyrics and smooth voice. A musical Raymond Carver, Murphy taps the raw nerve so many struggling songwriters can’t seem to find, creating a tight, focused album that delivers everything it promises.

by Chris Smith