Presented inhouse. Reviewed Jan. 10, 2009.
Band: Elliott Murphy, Olivier Durand. Guest: Gaspard Murphy. Also appearing: Jann Klose.
Toward the end of his hourlong set at the Hotel Café, Elliott Murphy introduced "A Touch of Kindness " as an example of what he's been up to in the 10 years or so since he's last been to L.A., and a song that reached No. 1 in Belgium, proof, he wryly commented, that "size doesn't always matter." But the career of Long Island native, now living the expat's life in Paris, belies the joke.
A member (alongside Bruce Springsteen) of the New Dylan class of '73, his "Aquashow" was probably more favorably reviewed than "Asbury Park." Murphy's well-crafted, if word drunk, songs lacked Dylan's corrosive urgency yet revealed him to be a literate suburban miniaturist, a career choice that rarely yields chart-topping sales.
The relatively sparse aud for his early Saturday night perf could be seen as proof of this, but Murphy, accompanied by guitarist Olivier Durand, performed with an energetic intimacy. With long blond hair under a fedora and kerchief, he looked like the journeyman rocker; when he sings, he now sounds like old Dylan, his gruff voice resembling the wizened prophet of "Time Out Of Mind."
The songs, including those from his new album "Notes From The Underground," released on his own Elliott Murphy Music label, have not changed much musically from his early albums, drawing from the same well of folk-rock, with literary characters, from Shakespeare to the Bible, dotting the lyrics. But the passage of time is undeniable. "Sonny" finds two old friends reconnecting, surprised by the difference in their appearance. "Green River" takes on the suburbia that's always been his best subject, but through a more mature, accepting prism.
By the time his son, Gaspard, joins him for "Diamonds By The Yard" to play some Eddie Van Halen-style guitar, it's obvious that Murphy has spent the 30 years since his splashy debut honing his craft. It may not be the recipe for superstardom, but it makes for some satisfying music.
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com