DAVID MURPHY - Cuímhne Ghlinn: Explorations In Irish Music For Pedal Steel Guitar - LP - Black Vinyl

LP - Black Vinyl 

David Murphy is a multi-instrumentalist based in Cork, Ireland, known best for his work with the pedal steel guitar.

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.

2024 sees Murphy take his first steps out of the shadows as a solo artist with the release of his own full-length studio album Cuimhne Ghlinn: Explorations in Irish Music for Pedal Steel Guitar on the Rollercoaster Records label. This continues his quest to expand the vocabulary of the instrument and take it in new and exciting directions.

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.

This record promises to be 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 (Efterklang, Erased Tapes), Steve Wickham (The Waterboys, Sinéad O'Connor, U2), Laura McFadden (Arborist), Aisling Urwin (Woven Kin), Alannah Thornburgh, Rory McCarthy (Notify), Mark McCausland (The Lost Brothers), Anthony Ruby, Cory Gray (The Delines, The Decemberists), and Graham Heaney (Saint Sister) amongst others.

Tracklist:

A1        Aisling Gheal
A2        Bridget Cruise
A3        Cití Na gCumann
A4        Eleanor Plunkett
B1        An Draigheann
B2        Cuimhne Ghlinn
B3        Seán O'Duibhir a'Ghleanna
B4        An Spéic Seoigheach