Search - Murray McLauchlan :: Best Of: Songs from the Street [IMPORT]

The best of Canadian Icon Murray Mclauchlin

Robert Badgley | London,Ontario,Canada | 08/28/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What can one say about Murray that hasn't already been said? He has written a book,penned and recorded not only his own compositions(with great success) but had them played and recorded by some of the best musicians in the entertainment industry here and abroad,he has been given the Order of Canada,he has been on countless TV shows over the years,he has written a stage musical,and on and on.And just when you think you have Murray pegged he does something else like learning to fly and becoming a most proficient and successful painter.

What we have here in this 2 CD set(a bargain if ever there was one) a compilation of his greatest tunes,and then some."The Farmer's Song","On the Boulevard","Whispering Rain"(beautiful ballad),"Little Dreamer" and just about everyone's fave "Down by the Henry Moore".Of course compilations of this kind will never please everyone as fans will ask why this song or that was or was not included.From were I stand though I believe Universal has released a pretty fair and balanced overview when all is said and done.

Each of the songs with their own particular magic can easily stand on their own as the mood and those catchy hooks engulf and sweep over you.What sometimes gets lost are the lyrics.Murray will have just a little to say or he can have a lot to say.While the lyrics can be as important as the music it is never at the expense of the other.

The last major song I recall Murray doing was in the 1980s which got major play on Canada's Much Music on video,(one of my favourites) "Never did Like that Train",which is in the collection also.After that I recall Murray hosting a CBC radio show,then hearing about his Order of Canada,then something about a musical he wrote,then little until a recent collaboration with "Lunch at Allen's".

Coincidentally just before the writing of this review on August 22nd of this year,I was astounded as Murray appeared in St.Thomas,Ontario's local annual "Iron Horse Festival" as a free event! You just never know where Murray will pop up and his (only)hour long set went by in a flash.But I met Murray afterward and I can tell you he is one of the most warmest and humble gentlemen I have ever had the privilege of meeting.Most importantly Murray is as comfortable and proficient with a guitar and harmonica as he is on the keyboards.A truly superb talent.

In the final analysis nothing will give you a better overview of Murray McLauchlin's musical career and a better picture of the man himself than this 2-CD set "Songs From the Street".All songs have been transferred beautifully and have never sounded better.Get yours today."