Mark Murphy

Mark Murphy takes plenty of chances on this date. He recites the words he wrote to Wayne Shorter's "Beauty and the Beast" before singing the song, also finding something new to say on "I Can't Get Started" and interpreting such numbers as McCoy Tyner's "Effendi," "Along Came Betty" and "Vocalise"; the latter is based on a melody by Rachmaninoff. Murphy is assisted by a quintet that includes keyboardist Bill Mays, trumpeter Brian Lynch and violinist Lou Lausche. A very interesting and colorful set. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi