Search - Larry Murray :: Sweet Country Suite

AN UN-SUNG HERO OF THE COUNTRY ROCK ERA

John E. Beland | 11/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"AN UN-SUNG HERO OF COUNTRY ROCK\

Larry Murray was the founding member of the highly influential LA blugrass / pop trio, The Hearts & Flowers. Along with bandmate Bernie Leadon (future Eagle), they introduced rock & roll to bluegrass music via their 2 landmark albums for Capitol Records.

Larry was the head writer for the Glen Campbell Show, Johnny Cash Show and ran the famous Monday night Hootenanny shows at the famed Troubadour club in the late 60's.

But most importantly, he was responsible for pumping his country music influence into many of the acts that played the Troubadour in the late 60's. Murray was an outstanding writer, who's hit song for Tommy Cash "6 White Horses" was a top 10 smash. He produced legendary country singer Johnny Darrell's acclaimed solo LP "California Stopover" considered to be one of the first true country rock albums of the time, featuring the late Clarence White and an asortment of whos-who LA session aces backing the multi-talented singer Johnny Darrell.

On this album Murray is backed by the players of the day, who were molding the LA country rock sound as these sessions were going down. JD Souther, Swampwater (Linda Ronstadt's pre-Eagles band), Buddy Emmons, Paul Parish all backing Murray in a wonderful collection of self penned numbers, including Bugler, the song that would years later be associated with the late Clarence White.

This is pre-Eagles era..it was all going down and forming around town when Larry collected this group of players and singers and cut his one and only solo album. If you are a fan of the history of southern California country rock, now is your chance to grab this very rare album by one of the true un-sung heros of that era.

JB

Flying Burrito Bros"