John Murry and Michael Timmins – A Little Bit of Grace and Decay (CD) Gatefold CD

Description

“…a powerful reminder of just what a major songwriter and artist John Murry is.” – Americana UK 9/10

“Bleak and frightening A Little Bit Of Grace And Decay is also unfathomably beautiful.” 4 Stars from MOJO

TENOR VOSSA CD / TV022CD / Gatefold CD RELEASED 20/09/24

“Joy and beauty abound in revisited classic Gothic Americana songs.” 9/10 from Americana UK

“Beguiling understated score to The Graceless Age: The Ballad Of John Murry” 8/10 from UNCUT

John Murry is a half Cherokee American musician, singer-songwriter and composer. With deep, rich vocals and dark poetic lyrics he’s been compared to Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen.

The Soundtrack to accompany the Award winning Documentary “The Graceless Age: The Ballad Of John Murry.” Written and performed by John Murry and Mike Timmins (Cowboy Junkies). The film has already won Best Irish Documentary at the 35th Galway Film Fleadh.

Directed by Sarah Share best known for her multi award winning ‘If I Should Fall from Grace’ –  the Shane MacGowan Story.

“Ever since we finished recording A Short History of Decay back in 2016, I’ve been waiting for John Murry to return to my studio. I had been working on some ideas for the film score for John’s doc when he finally reappeared. He had three days to kill in Toronto, so we decided to get together, sit around and play some music. No real plan and no real goal, just play and enjoy each other’s company. This album is the result of that visit. It’s a “sort-of” soundtrack album to the film, it contains some score pieces, as well as some of the solo recordings that John and I made when he was here in Toronto, some of which also became a part of the score” Mike Timmins.

This haunting film is the story of American singer songwriter John Murry, who was on the cusp of greatness after the release of his highly acclaimed album The Graceless Age (2013), when his world fell apart. Addicted to heroin and creatively exhausted, he washed up on the shores of Ireland, a broken man. Now, he retraces his steps back to Mississippi into the dark heart of American life and faces his demons- a neglected childhood, traumatic assault, and resulting years of opioid addiction.

John also explores his family links to the Nobel Prize winning author William Faulkner. His adopted grandmother Mimi would tell him if anyone was imbued with the spirit of Bill Faulkner, it was John. She also told him that his famous ancestor was also addicted to opiates. Yet, throughout his long period of substance abuse he was constantly writing and performing. Like Faulkner, Murry’s lyrics embrace the dark side of American life – an anger that is born in the rotting underbelly of Mississippi history. Reminiscent at times of Neil Young or Wilco, Murry’s music is classic Americana.

This film chronicles his efforts to put it back together again after finding solace in Ireland and come to terms with his turbulent early years. John embarks on a road trip that takes him from his haven on the cliffs of Co Clare, Ireland to his native Mississippi and then his strung-out days in California. The film culminates with John travelling to Toronto to rekindle his creative collaboration with Canadian music legend Mike Timmins, who produced his second album, A Short History of Decay. Mike helps John express himself the best way he can – through his outstanding music. This beautiful documentary charts his journey from near death to redemption and a new zest for life and art.

Tracklisting

Tracklisting

1. Grace – Michael Timmins
2. Wrong Man – John Murry
3. Swamp – Michael Timmins
4. Silver Or Lead – John Murry
5. Driving (Part 1) – Michael Timmins & Peter Timmins
6. Dark Side Of The Moon Again – John Murry
7. Driving (Part 2) – Michael Timmins & Peter Timmins
8. Come Five And Twenty – John Murry
9. Cave – Michael Timmins
10. The Stars Are Gods Bullet Holes – John Murry
11. Alleyway – Michael Timmins
12. Mother Mary – John Murry
13. Tupelo
14. Miss Magdalene
15. Murder
16. What Remains
17. Leprechaun
18. Decay