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As a follow-up to this phone interview, I was placed on the guest list to see Murray open up for Johnny Clegg at the Radisson Grove in Sacramento. This was the first time that either Murray Attaway or Guadalcanal Diary had played this area.
Sadly, nary a soul knew who he was upon introduction. Though, there was one obvious cheer that rose from the crowd. It took about three songs before the audience started realizing how good this artist really is.
Joined onstage only by guitarist Bill Bach, Murray started off his acoustic set with the Guadalcanal Diary classic, "Litany (Life Goes on"). He then launched into songs from his latest release "In Thrall."
Without using a drum and bass combo, songs like "Fall So Far," "Living In Another Time," "Allegory" and "Under Jets" were expertly played and very well received. In between each song Murray played on the fact that he was an unknown in these parts by hilariously spelling and enunciating his name and album title over and over.
While the audience was warming up to his set, (a difficult thing to do since the evening wind chill was around ice water temperature) Attaway and Bach proceed to do a round of seventies rock cover tunes. Hilariously, as if on cue, an audience member shouted out "Free Bird." Of course without hesitation the acoustic brothers fired off a rousing rendition of that southern rock staple.
Attaway and Bach kept the music rolling for about 45 minutes and closed the mostly "In Thrall"ing set with another Guadalcanal Diary classic "Watusi Rodeo," from their first release.
Many thanks to Murray Attaway for the great interviews and, of course, the great show at the Radisson! |
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