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A TWO LP SET

After nearly forty years of musical and personal camaraderie, drummer and producer Bob Christina began studio work with Matt "Guitar" Murphy on what would become Murphy's final project. After he passed in June of 2018, the fate of the unfinished project was placed in Christina's hands. He began outreach to musicians who were friends of Murphy, played with him, or were otherwise influenced by him. The response was overwhelming.

Featured artists include Doyle Bramhall II, Fran Christina & The Original Roomful of Blues, Steve Cropper, Ronnie Earl, Sax Gordon, Jaimoe, Bill Kirchen, Chuck Leavell, Bob Margolin, James Montgomery, Tracy Nelson, Johnny Nicholas, Christine Ohlman, Lee Oskar, Jerry Portnoy, Duke Robillard, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, Toni Lynn Washington and more.

Murphy was born in Sunflower, MS on December 29, 1929 and raised in Memphis, TN. He moved to Chicago, IL in 1948. Widely known for his appearance in The Blues Brothers movie and performing with The Blues Brothers band, Murphy's blues career was launched by the early 1950s and encompasses work with Howlin' Wolf, Little Junior Parker, Memphis Slim, and countless other titans of blues history. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2012. Murphy died on June 15, 2018 at age 88.

Westerly, RI native son Bob Christina was first introduced to the blues at a young age by watching his older brother, Fran Christina, on drums practicing with his friends in their basement. The year was 1967 and those friends were none other than Al Copley on piano, Duke Robillard on guitar and Larry Peduzzi on bass; the original Roomful of Blues band. By the time he was 15 and after a few months of guitar lessons, Bob got some of his brother's hand-me-down drums and made the switch to drumming. During his forty years as a performing artist, Christina has also developed Bobby Christina's Caravan, a well-regarded entertainment brand of shows and events.

Track Listing

Sales Points

• For fans of Chicago blues and The Blues Brothers movies.
• 140g blue double vinyl

Press Quotes

It is the drummer and producer Bob Christina who we owe this project. He had recorded three tracks with Matt Murphy that never saw the light of day because it was interrupted by Matt's death...24 sides of bliss that honor the great Matt 'Guitar' Murphy!

     —Marcel Benedit, abs magazine online

This 23-song double album includes Murphy's final three studio recordings, 'Matt's Boogie', 'Matt's Shuffle', and 'Tired of Sleeping Alone', the last of which is one of the best things on the album. Needless to say there is some cracking good music here.

     —Ian K. McKenzie, Blues in the South

This album definitely represents a legacy to Matt Murphy's performances and demonstrates his range in playing to different genres. Every song is expertly performed and engaging.

     —John Sacksteder, Blues Blast Magazine

Not content with proving to be a warm tribute and representative of the character's bonhomie, this is undoubtedly the most invigorating blues, rock & soul revue of the year.

     —Patrick Dallongeville, Paris - Move

A collection of good-vibes lineups populated with colleagues and admirers of the master axeman. Solid instrumental play is to be found everywhere starting with Mr. Murphy's own features, a pair that serve as leadoff tracks for the double-disc package.

     —Duane Verh, Roots Music Report

This outstanding compilation is a collection that can be enjoyed repeatedly as each listening will reveal something new.

     —Richard Ludmerer , Making A Scene

This collection is a 24 song, heartfelt celebration of Matt 'Guitar' Murphy's life. These never before musical pairings, by 72 world-class musicians, display the enormous love and respect showered on the American music legend.

     —Art Tripaldi, Blues Music Magazine

There are plenty of retro blues though these are all new performances.Several tunes while true in tradition are contemporary, rural & well-recorded.Others are dipped in '60s funk blues ala Sly & the Family Stone.The showcase has energy...

     —John Apice, Americana Highways