Blogs

Australian Writer Goes Gaga Over Reggae (Sample Lymie Murray songs she heard inside)

Posted by Hume Johnson PhD on September 25, 2009 at 5:30pm

Jamaican Reggae singer, Lymie MurrayTara Gething is not a big fan of reggae; never was. “My genre is metal”, she says with a wide grin, knowing fully well that this would freak out the average person. So I freaked out. Not at the thought of the outlandish musical taste of this well-adjusted middle class Australian girl but at the idea that someone exists on the planet who is not a big fan of Jamaican Reggae.So I challenged her taste buds. I knew she does CD reviews and very well so I said “I will introduce you to the music of reggae artiste Lymie Murray, and if you don’t like it, feel free to dump it”. I knew that if she could’nt handle the awesome sounds of Lymie Murray on his first album, Happy Days, it is possible that she will not go gaga over some of the more hardcore reggae and dancehall stuff.A week later, Tara rocked up to my office at the University and delivered a gem of a review. She not only loved Lymie Murray; she went gaga over his debut ‘Happy Days” album. Lymie Murray has got a new fan; reggae has found its latest convert. Here is what she had to say….._________________________________________While classic Reggae lyrics often focus on poverty and political oppression, Lymie Murray’s debut album HAPPY DAYS has made its way into the light.Click here to sample the album: http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/1781647When most people outside Jamaica think of Reggae music, they think of Bob Marley. But Reggae music has come a long way since then and is now a melting pot of message and merriment. As the title track of Lymie Murray’s HAPPY DAYS, hints, expect your fill of lyrics about pretty girls, longing, and good times.Murray’s velvet voice hugs around that rich horn and tinkling pianos that emerge through the guitars, bass and drums that ground the sound. Murray has stayed true to his roots by keeping the Reggae signature sound of focussing on the offbeat.However, he has also decided to push the genre’s boundaries. “I’ll take care of you”, for instance, has a cool R n’B vibe, a slick beat that moves in a circular motion that would fit perfectly into any low lit luxury bar.Released in 1998 for Shangul Records, HAPPY DAYS is a smooth album that passes through romantic tides as Murray yearns for the company of his current flame. This is not a painful; “I would do anything for love” kind of longing. However, Murray is clearly too laid back for such Meat Loaf-ian acts of drama. Instead Murray comes from a more organic place, working from an internal paradise as optimistic phrases spills out through the speakers, leaking into your ears. “Happy days are here to stay” he sings, from his state of cemented euphoria.Each track flows effortlessly into the next, helping creating a chilled ‘ain’t got no problems’ atmosphere. This is no cheesy Tiki shirt wearing, pina colada sipping album. Positive vibes and moving beats are presents, but it isn’t contrived, Murray is operating from an authentic front.While most artistes use the struggle of pre-recording days to fuel the fire of their debut album, Murray instead offers the refreshing attitude of gratitude. Acknowledging his fortunate life, Murray sings “Got my wife, got my family, peace and love was bestowed upon me.”While “Happy Days” is largely upbeat, “Love we had” gives diversity to the album by allowing a darker shade to come in. Murray sings of a lost love he cannot let go of, “love we had stays on my mind.” Regret seeps in as it dawns on Murray that he has let go of a good thing singing “you meant more than I realised.” “Love we had” is cleverly followed by the album’s title track “Happy Days” bringing back good vibrations.“Everytime I touch you” features a melodic hook that gets you straight away. Murray’s heartache is expressed through his flawless vocals that remain smooth but feature a thronging intensity. It is pretty much impossible to listen to this without at least doing a head bop.Murray fleetingly shows off his falsetto (done with ease) on this and others tracks. HAPPY DAYS is a soulful ensemble that would easily thread any event together, weaving amongst its listeners and looping them together in contentment.____________________________By: Hume Johnson, PhDCD Review by Tara Gething, Australian freelance writer.See more of LYMIE MURRAY at : http:// www.reverbnation.com/lymieBecome a fan of LYMIE MURRAY on Facebook

Community

Culture

Entertainment

Food

Health