If ever there was a year of iconic music then 1976 had it all. Bands like The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Queen and Genesis were all producing high quality records that would eventually stand the tests of time and become “legendary” stepping stones in each of their music legacy. But for me, there was one album that stood out above the rest, Hotel California by The Eagles, their fifth studio release, which would go on to sell over 32 million copies worldwide.
And tonight, one of Perth’s best known local bands Murphy’s Lore paid tribute to this musical landmark by playing it in its entirety, and doing a bloody good job while they were at it. Billed as “The Spirit of ‘76”, Badlands in Aberdeen St was full to the brim as the Murphy Brothers – Kieran, Courtney & Chris marched the 6-piece band on to the stage. And within minutes of the iconic opening chords of the title track, everyone was singing along, as Chris Murphy’s powerful vocals led the way. The iconic guitar riffs and licks were followed to almost note perfection by guitarists Jason Smith & Travis Bryant, as the duelling soloists set the pace of the night, whilst images and footage of the real Eagles flashed up on the backdrop in musical unison. New Kid in Town and Life in the Fast Lane kept everyone on their toes, with bass player Shaun Street thumping out bass lines whilst hidden at the back, as Chris exchanged vocal duties with brother Courtney. It’s obvious that the two main front men & former Australian Idol stars are totally at ease with these types of evenings, as their short quips & jokes that littered the song breaks, kept a real feel-good factor in the room throughout the set. Wasted Time ended ‘Side One’.
Cue “turn over record to ‘Side Two’” (to hell with CD’s – this was a night of nostalgia).
The only taped playback of the night (Courtney explained “this is the only bit we can’t do”) was the orchestral string instruments that filled the air for the Reprise of Wasted Time. And then we were back into it with the power-stomping Victim of Love, with the harmonies perfectly to boot. Pretty Maids All In a Row slowed things down again, with what seemed one of the more challenging tracks of the night. Bryant took vocal charge of Try & Love Again to show he isn’t just a talented axe man, but has a voice of note too. And suddenly we had reached the end of the album – with Courtney Murphy’s keyboard intro leading into his Henley-like vocals on The Last Resort.
Encores were always going to happen, just because The Eagles have too good a back catalogue. And so we kicked off again with Take It Easy, before the emotionally fantastic Desperado, a firm favourite of mine, which the guys pulled it off with flying colours. The Heart of the Matter gave drummer Kieran Murphy his song of the night, although his harmonies throughout the gig helped reproduce that “Eagles” sound. The night was closed with a rocking version of Heartache Tonight which saw the dance floor explode into a huge bundle of energy as hands punched the air to signal the end of a great night. If you’re going to perform an outstanding and historic album like this you need to do just one thing – do it justice. Murphy’s Lore didn’t just do it justice – the picked it up and fired it across the venue for all to enjoy and embrace.
My only question… when are they going to do this again?
