Meet Murray

Murray McLauchlan is a Canadian singer/songwriter who has been part of the Canadian music scene since the 1970s.  His first big hit was The Farmer's Song which didn't really appeal to me as it sounded very country style.  I didn't really take much notice of him until I heard Hard Rock Town, as the lyrics to this song really spoke to me.  When I heard his first Greatest Hits compilation, it made me realize what a talent he truly was.

Many years later I had the privilege of hearing him perform in my own home town.  Not many performers of his caliber ever make their way into my neck of the wood so I was very excited to hear him.  He did not disappoint! His performance was second to none, and even his between song chatting was pure entertainment in itself!  The only thing that bothered me was the behaviour of my hometown crowd.  They seemed barely energetic enough to give a decent applause.  I was mortified. I ended up trying to clap louder to make up for everyone else, until my hands stung and my arms ached!  I have seen this kind of reaction before in local crowds, and I really can't understand it!  If they had seen the same performance in a big city with a huge crowd -- they would have been screaming like crazy!  It's like they don't value anyone who would come to perform in such a small town. He actually came for our summer festival and because he had a friend here to stay with, the performance was just an extra treat he agreed to do.  I don't think he would bother doing it again, more's the pity.

Here is a short biographical video which discusses a greatest hits compilation produced in 2007.

Unfortunately, there are very few good videos of Murray McLauchlan's songs on Youtube.  I wanted to show you Hard Rock Town but the video includes Wolfman Jack (a radio DJ) dancing so it is pretty weird.  My other favourite song is Boulevard. I also am fond of Little Dreamer, but even better than that is Do You Dream of Being Somebody.  You can listen to short clips from his songs at Amazon.com.  This next song is very nice too.  I am right in the mood for it too as it has been raining quite a bit here lately.

Whispering Rain

In this video Murray is accompanied by several other musicians including Ian Thomas (I mentioned him in my post Time Out with Phylly). This group is called Lunch at Allen's

I remember hearing that Murray McLauchlan quite enjoyed his visit to our little oasis in the wilderness.  Although he is from the big city of Toronto, he knows how to fly a bush plane and he enjoys fishing and hunting and that's what makes this dot on the map pretty special. 

I never really thought much about entertaining a celebrity here until very recently.  But I think this place would be a very restful hideaway for Richard Armitage, especially once he really hits the big time -- after his latest movies Captain America and especially The Hobbit are released.  I think it's a shame that he has a fear of dark water and I would do my very best to help cure him!  Almost all the lakes here have fairly dark water... but they are wonderful for swimming.  I wouldn't care how long it took for him to get over his fear.  I've got all summer while school is out!

I wouldn't suggest he wear this bathingsuit though. It might attract too much attention, don't ya think?

I'm not adverse to verse...

A few posts back there was a Haiku contest at Me + Richard Armitage that I had to respond to, and it had me so into making those little verses of 5 / 7 / 5 syllables that I was practically speaking in that way for a day or so!

So here is what I came up with when I thought about Mr. Armitage -- it was all his wonderful roles which I scouted out through the generosity of Youtube posters and other online video sources, after first being gobsmacked with his incredible talent in the BBC's fabulous production of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.

I have decided to illustrate my poem with pictures of him (duh who else?) just in case there are still some people out there who haven't been introduced to the wonder that is Richard Armitage...and the rest of us who know all about him really don't mind looking at the same pictures over and over and over again!

The roles were: North and South 2004, the Vicar of Dibley 2006, Robin Hood 2006-2009, Spooks/MI-5 2008- (also referred to as "The Grid"), Sparkhouse 2002, Cold Feet 2003, Between the Sheets 2003, The Impressionists 2006, The Golden Hour 2005. These were more or less the order that I discovered these programs.

I followed you from

North and South to Dibley and

Sherwood to the Grid.












On the way, I passed
Through Sparkhouse, seeking some warmth

For Cold Feet, Between the Sheets.

I understand why
The Impressionists paint such

Golden Hours of you.

Servetus was very kind to write a review of my haiku which was very complimentary**blushing** but I won't print it here, there is a link to it on my "Poetry of Earth" posting.
So, poetry month is almost over and I hadn't written a line of poetry in quite a few years, so it was fun to be inspired by my muse, (a.k.a. Mr. Armitage) and by Servetus for posting the challenge.
Even TeeTotallyNot is getting into it -- I see she's posted some limericks today on her blog YI, Mum?
Yep! We've got it BAD!