Rollercoaster Records label is delighted to release a stunning full-length album ‘Cuimhne Ghlinn: Explorations in Irish Music for Pedal Steel Guitar’ by Irish session-musician, producer, and multi-instrumentalist David Murphy on Friday, April 19th.
The album has received an impressive 8/10 from UNCUT, who describe the sounds as “Irish traditional rendered ghostly by washes of pedal steel and almost subliminal piano… widescreen and structured, like an early Celtic Ólafur Arnalds”. SONGLINES lauds it as a “sonic experiment of narcotic enchantment… blossoming with old world charm in luminous modernity,” earning it the title of Top of the World and Album of the Month. According to THE GUARDIAN, it’s “an intriguing proposition… very moving, at times oddly Balearic, the Hawaiian roots of his warm pitch-shifting instrument spangling through.” KLOF Magazine praises it as “an incredibly confident debut album. Balanced against its elegance and the dreamlike sound of his pedal steel is a quietly adventurous spirit that is beautifully judged and unpretentious — an extraordinarily great album.” HOT PRESS describes it as “serene instrumentals to transport listeners to a world of peace and luminous tranquillity.”
David Murphy – Citi na gCumann (Official Video)
David Murphy – Bridget Cruise (Official Video)
Murphy’s all-instrumental debut album recasts ancient Irish harp tunes and historic airs by O’Carolan, O’Riada et al into the 21st century, voiced by the mysterious, emotive and swelling sound of the pedal steel guitar. Supported by an all-star cast of musicians from across contemporary, modern-classical and folk worlds, the pedal steel ably takes its place within an ensemble featuring cello, violin, piano, harp, uilleann pipes, and lush electronic textures and synths. Across 40 minutes, the album conjures a palette of sparse, dreamlike, atmospheric soundscapes and stirring, cinematic takes of these culturally significant compositions and melodies from Ireland’s great harpers, composers, and song collectors.
The album is a must-listen for fans of pedal steel guitar, atmospheric soundtracks, traditional Irish music, contemporary experimental, ambient and modern-classical music. It features a diverse cast of supporting musicians including Peter Broderick (Strings), Steve Wickham (Fiddle), Laura McFadden (Cello), Aisling Urwin and Alannah Thornburgh (Harp), Rory McCarthy (Piano), Mark McCausland (Guitar), Anthony Ruby (Uilleann Pipes), Cory Gray (Trumpet) amongst others.
On his vision for the album, Murphy says:
“The pedal steel guitar has unique timbre, tuning and tonal capabilities. It offers rich sustain, swelling glissando and the ability to bend expressive and mournful notes that merge seamlessly and elastically into changing chords. Its unmistakable, crying sound is identified on hundreds of acclaimed records in folk and country genres. In the 21st century, it has continued its evolution into electronica, ambient and experimental music realms. With this record, my objective was to take the instrument away from its excursions across well-worn roads through the dusty American south and southwest and deeper into a world much closer to home and, for the very first time, present it in a modern Irish framework.”
Murphy’s unique application of the evocative and ever-mysterious pedal steel guitar has resulted in his invitation to participate in many collaborations and projects over his years as a session musician and band-member. Taking the instrument outside the confines of its traditional roots, Murphy has accumulated a growing list of recording and live credits. He can regularly be seen and heard on stage and in the studio with diverse Irish artists such as The Lost Brothers, John Blek & The Rats, Arborist, Cian Nugent, Ordnance Survey, Greenshine and The Remedy Club amongst others as well as touring or performing alongside acclaimed international artists such as Willy Vlautin, The Delines, Richmond Fontaine, M. Ward, and Jolie Holland.
Blurring the boundaries of music into which Murphy has taken the instrument, he has contributed to records across a range of genres, spanning pop, Americana and folk to ambient, experimental music and film soundtracks. David has also participated in tours of Ireland, UK, Europe, and U.S.A. as well as performing on live national radio and television.
Out Friday 19th April 2024 on Rollercoaster Records presented visually with stunning artwork by Irish artist Craig Carry, ‘Cuimhne Ghlinn: Explorations in Irish Music for Pedal Steel Guitar’ is available on 180-gram Vinyl, CD, and Digital, from all major platforms and retailers.
Order the album on LP / CD / Digital via Bandcamp: https://davidmurphymusic.bandcamp.com/album/cuimhne-ghlinn-explorations-in-irish-music-for-pedal-steel-guitar
LIVE SHOWS:
- 18th April: Coughlan’s, Cork – SOLD OUT
- 19th April: Rollercoaster Records (Instore), Kilkenny
- 20th April: Plugd Records (Instore), Cork
- 9th June: Galway Folk Festival
- 16th June: Doolin Folk Festival
- 09th August: Kilkenny Arts Festival
FOR MORE INFORMATION
davidmurphymusic.com
instagram.com/steelydave83/
facebook.com/davidmurphysteelguitar/
