Chris Murphy

For over 15 years, violinist and composer CHRIS MURPHY has been writing and performing his own style of instrumental music. His choice of material encompasses an incredibly eclectic range of musical styles from Electronica to Indie Rock to World Music. His passion to explore different genres brings to mind other talented and ambitious artists, Ry Cooder, David Bryne, Tom Waits, Peter Gabriel, and Bill Frisell. "Prolific" is an adjective that easily describes Chris; he has 10 albums to his credit, including 5 recently released solo albums and has worked with a diverse group of artists including The Dandy Warhols, Sophie B. Hawkins, Victoria Williams, Har Mar Superstar, and members of Tom Waits's band, Iggy Pop's Band, X, Califone, Nels Cline from Wilco and film composer Nathan Larson from Shudder to Think. Chris is about to release a new solo album which features many of these artists.
REVIEWS
Playing all manner of styles (Celtic, bluegrass, rock, etc.) through a guitar amp and over a rhythm section, Murphy makes Juniper a reminder of the great instrumental albums recorded by fiddle giant Mark O'Connor in the 80s and Ashley MacIsaac lately.
Michael Toland, High Bias, May 15 2005
"What keeps the listener's attention throughout is Mr. Murphy's magic violin. I say "magic" because of the number of different and crazy sounds that are emitted from that thing... There aren't many, if any, other violinists out there who do what Chris does, and he does it well. This man is a very accomplished musician, and it clearly shows."
Sam Katz, Jambase, July 12 2005
...a talented violinist whose polished style drips freely from anything he plays, whether bass-fueled trance or bucolic hymnsThe arrangements are sparing expanses of rustling leaves, his playing the temperate, polished breeze.
Jamie Lee, Jambands.com, May 8 2005
3 1/2 stars (out of 5): Juniper sets folk-based fiddle forms against a folk-rock backing that's sort of an Americanized version of the veddy British Fairport Convention. At its bestthe results are an exciting instrumental take on folk-rock OverallJuniper is an entertaining listen.
Stewart Mason, Allmusic.com
"Murphy manages to tie everything together with the somber, forlorn aesthetic purveyed throughout the album...Murphy is skilled enough as a composer and gifted enough as a musician to hold your attention...If the violinist cum troubadour winds up being the hipster pose of 2006, remember that you heard it here first."
-Justin Sheppard, prefixmag.com, 12/15/2005
"You have to be very brave to record an album of solo violin. Chris Murphy does it on Noir and pulls it off... The result is a captivating set of melodic and atmospheric pieces."
Angel Romero, World Music Central, June 25 2005
"Salton Songs sure is one of the more interesting, albeit unusual, albums to have come my way recently. Those who like their music lively and enjoy aspects of world music coupled with modern treatments might want to give it a try."
Dene Bebbington, Wind and Wire/Melliflua
This album from eclectic violinist Chris Murphy takes the violin out of its traditional classical and English folk music settings and tries it in less familiar contexts... this is worth checking out.
Mike Watson, Ambient Music Guide, June 2005
Both a wily, charismatic performer and a fire-breathing virtuoso of the violin, Chris Murphy crams more musical mileage into a short set than most players do in an entire tour. Whether its through noirish atmospheres, joyfully bent traditional folk tunes, or belly-up-to-the-bar blues, Murphy does the devils handiwork on four-strings with a winning presence and a gypsys knack for crossing all musical terrains.
-James Rotondi, Editor-in-Chief, Future Music Magazine
If silver spoons were musical instruments, Chris Murphy would have been born with a violin jutting from his maw. Rooted in his immense training and unhindered imagination, his adventurous style is clear on Salton Songshis fluctuating melodies drift like ethereal vocal partsbolstered by robust rhythmic backing.
Jamie Lee, Jambands.com, May 8 2005
Luminous Reviews:
“I can’t imagine a more original and refreshing album.”
–Kevin Ehlers (The Pelican’s Perch 6/07)
“Electric violinist Murphy said he wanted to do a really ‘L.A’ record, and he totally overachieved.”
–Nels Cline
“Listeners who are fans of blues, rock, and electronica will certainly find tracks that will seduce them on this album.”
–Sari N. Kent (The Celebrity Cafe) ( Full Review )
"tuneful and captivating"
- Jonathan Woolf (MusicWeb International)( Full Review )