Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. does his best Sinatra on That's Life
Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
That's Life
Columbia
www.landaumurphyjr.com
O.K., o.k. ... we've all rooted for Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. since early-on during
his victorious run on "America's Got Talent" - especially those of us in West Virginia.
I do, though, quickly bypass the Mountain State connection to get to the heart of the
matter: Murphy, Jr.'s debut LP, That's Life, is nothing short of pure feel-good, no
matter what your primary musical taste may be... the kinda stuff that begs ya to
unwind, necktie loosened, with a dry martini and a Pall Mall just in time for happy
hour.
Now, I'll be the first to admit that the crooner/pop stylings by which Landau
patterns himself are a bit outside of my rock and roll forte, but I've always been a
sucker for a good Frank Sinatra tune. The Kid certainly does his idol justice on this
eleven-song collection of some of The Chairman's most recognizable numbers.
That's Life
Columbia
www.landaumurphyjr.com
O.K., o.k. ... we've all rooted for Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. since early-on during
his victorious run on "America's Got Talent" - especially those of us in West Virginia.
I do, though, quickly bypass the Mountain State connection to get to the heart of the
matter: Murphy, Jr.'s debut LP, That's Life, is nothing short of pure feel-good, no
matter what your primary musical taste may be... the kinda stuff that begs ya to
unwind, necktie loosened, with a dry martini and a Pall Mall just in time for happy
hour.
Now, I'll be the first to admit that the crooner/pop stylings by which Landau
patterns himself are a bit outside of my rock and roll forte, but I've always been a
sucker for a good Frank Sinatra tune. The Kid certainly does his idol justice on this
eleven-song collection of some of The Chairman's most recognizable numbers.
"Ain't That a Kick in the Head" (alright, this one's more closely identified with Frankie's fellow Rat-Pack bud, Dean Martin) sets the album
off with a jazzy swing which carries the vibe into the easily identifiable "Witchcraft," "I've Got You Under My Skin" and (of course) Sinatra's
signature song, "My Way." A somewhat surprising inclusion is the Moroccan-inspired Cole Porter song, "Night and Day," which exudes a bit of
a Caribbean flair here. While the album's two duets with Judith Hill, "Something Stupid" and "Baby It's Cold Outside," may at first sound
displaced, the latter gains appeal with its romping give-and-take vocals. The LP's tell-tale moment is the title track where Murphy, Jr.'s
interpretation is more heart and soul than an attempt at a carbon copy.
One of the great triumphs of That's Life is that Landau is arguably the hippest dude in American music at the moment. With that, his talent
and love for his genre will undoubtedly turn a new generation on to a style of music which, until a few short months back, was likely considered
to be uncool, especially to anyone in the under-25 demographic. Hey, The Stones and The Beatles did the same for American blues... as has
been said, imitation (to any degree) is the highest compliment.
Critics will likely point out that That's Life is a hurried attempt to cash in on Landau's new-found celebrity, even one that is geared to rake
in some sentimental stocking-stuffer cash. Ain't nothin' wrong with a little, good old American capitalism, especially when we're spending it on
REAL talent. Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. is my kinda entertainer - one who unapologetically does what he does, obviously digging it the whole
way. Keep in mind, too... this amazing voice wasn't just pulled out of a hat. While the selections on That's Life may be just a tad
predictable, the album is unrestrained fun that reminds us that timeless music will live forever, especially when worthy artists come forth
with fresh illuminations.
off with a jazzy swing which carries the vibe into the easily identifiable "Witchcraft," "I've Got You Under My Skin" and (of course) Sinatra's
signature song, "My Way." A somewhat surprising inclusion is the Moroccan-inspired Cole Porter song, "Night and Day," which exudes a bit of
a Caribbean flair here. While the album's two duets with Judith Hill, "Something Stupid" and "Baby It's Cold Outside," may at first sound
displaced, the latter gains appeal with its romping give-and-take vocals. The LP's tell-tale moment is the title track where Murphy, Jr.'s
interpretation is more heart and soul than an attempt at a carbon copy.
One of the great triumphs of That's Life is that Landau is arguably the hippest dude in American music at the moment. With that, his talent
and love for his genre will undoubtedly turn a new generation on to a style of music which, until a few short months back, was likely considered
to be uncool, especially to anyone in the under-25 demographic. Hey, The Stones and The Beatles did the same for American blues... as has
been said, imitation (to any degree) is the highest compliment.
Critics will likely point out that That's Life is a hurried attempt to cash in on Landau's new-found celebrity, even one that is geared to rake
in some sentimental stocking-stuffer cash. Ain't nothin' wrong with a little, good old American capitalism, especially when we're spending it on
REAL talent. Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. is my kinda entertainer - one who unapologetically does what he does, obviously digging it the whole
way. Keep in mind, too... this amazing voice wasn't just pulled out of a hat. While the selections on That's Life may be just a tad
predictable, the album is unrestrained fun that reminds us that timeless music will live forever, especially when worthy artists come forth
with fresh illuminations.