Brownstein: Shane Murphy’s wildfire blues will blaze at Montreal jazz fest

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The straps and pickups may appear to have come directly from the Mississippi Delta or from Chicago.

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close. They come from the heart of the NDG.

The composer is Shane Murphy, one of the best guitars from Montreal alongside Frank Marino.

Murphy will begin his new album Gate Religion with three sets on Saturday night at Club Soda for the closing night of the Jazz Festival.

In fact, Murphy discovered the religion decades ago.

“The first one I connected with was the blue one. On CKUT, I heard Mudy Waters’ song Manish Boy, ”Murphy said in the morning coffee. “He left there, and he is still as strong as ever.

“It was kind of a step back for me. Blues started, and any modern music – hip-hop, reggae, funk, R&B – blues DNA is an easy step for me.

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Murphy was 12 years old when he heard Mudy Waters. That was 36 years ago, and since then the feeling has not gone away.

“I stayed in the game for a minute,” he said. “I made my first bar gig in 1990 at the age of 16.” But he could pass for 21.

The inspiration for the Gate religion came in the early days of the epidemic.

“I was lying in bed, looking at my ceiling, wondering what to do,” recalls Murphy. “’I told him,’ I’m going to record some things with my musician Tony Lombardi. ‘ Then the songs just fell apart. We didn’t really think about it. I did not practice anything. The album honors Elmore James, Howlin Wolf and Otis Spain, returning to further Chicago blues.

“Everyone had a difficult time during the epidemic. I thought I would take on the feeling of darkness and greatness I had, and it all came together.

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Of course he does. The 11-track album begins with a steady stream of melodies and motors constantly until the end.

The challenge for people outside the mainstream is to play radio. Fortunately, CHOM has been playing one of the album’s tracks in the morning.

“Things are not so bad. I am finding love in my hometown. Many musicians want to be global sensations, but they only get there one hundred percent. I’m on my way, and I think this album will take my place. The response was very strong, so I’m going with it, ”said Murphy, who plans to release two more albums.

A.D. Before the jazz festival gigs in 2006 and 2009, some thought that the needle’s appearance would eventually become the most anticipated mystery in Montreal. But the reality is that in many parts of the city – and the country – Murphy is no secret.

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I can’t go down in such a rabbit hole considering where I am in my career. I enjoy playing in Montreal and playing music with my team. For me, the next step is out of town, trying to take it to the next level, ”he said.

“People call us bar band. There are no insults. Springston started as a bar band. So it is good that I am doing what the boss is doing. All I can do is control what happens on stage, and that’s the same if I’m playing in a courtyard, a wedding, a bar, a club, a stage or something. At the same time, I try to be as energetic, energetic, and emotional as possible, and it is a privilege to be able to do so. ”

And for more than 30 years, Murphy has been blessing believers in the wild fiery blue brand. It also opened up, according to British Blues legend John Myal and Adele and many others.

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“Mayll was such an inspiration. He was 78 at the time, and he was more than ready to go. 90 minutes left. My jaw was almost on the floor. I am 30 years old. Look at all the older ones. I’m really young in this business, ”she said with a smile.

Club Soda Gig at the Murphy’s Fourth Jazz Festival, and playing three games in one night is like a boxing match.

“Some fighters can only go three rounds. Some can go up to six. I can go to 15. Just like in the Championship, I like to go through the final rounds.

Never the competitor.

At a glance

Shane Murphy Gate Religion will be part of the Montreal International Jazz Festival at Club Soda, 1225 St-Laurent Blvd., Saturday, July 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $ 23.75 at clubsoda.ca or 514-286-1010.

bbrownstein@postmedia.com

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