The McMurphy’s delivered three sets of stomping rock and roll and rowdy Irish music at Boondocks Tavern & Country Grill last Saturday night. The Weare, New Hampshire based Boondocks was the perfect local hangout for a fun group like The McMurphy’s to conjure a party vibe and keep patrons entertained. The band was a sort of after-party for the Red Sox and the Bruins.
The McMurphy’s didn’t have their saxophone player or bassist last night but they did have a substitute bass player, Jeff Thomas, holding down their low end. Guitarist-vocalist Jay Murphy and drummer Wally Welch held their own against the odds and served up plenty of good music, well played, with a lot of energy and style.
“Day Tripper” by The Beatles got a stomping, driving beat from The McMurphy’s and “Amy” by the Pure Prairie League benefited by the McMurphy’s trademark ability with high harmonies. Their combined vocals gave “Amy” a warm, homey feeling that fit the vibe of the local tavern. Jay McMurphy played his acoustic guitar with so much grit that he didn’t even need one of those new fangled electric kinds.
Substance was the name of the game last night. There was a pluckiness in Jeff Thomas’s bass all evening, a throbbing energy, a hearty twang. Tight drumming and earthy, rich acoustic guitar put the best trimming on winsome songs. The traditional Irish ballad “Whiskey In The Jar” had a hearty, rustic feeling in its acoustic guitar melody. It’s free spirited flow made you picture the rolling greensward of the old country. The rhythm section played the warm, familiar bouncy groove, which was likely inspired by jigs and reels Jay McMurphy sang with an Irish brogue, and all these elements together made you want to dance and drink Guinness all night.
“Wild Rover” slowed things down without watering the straight up flavor. Listeners in the room followed this one intently. Jay McMurphy’s handsome low tenor carried beautifully on the old Frank Sinatra hit “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” He carried it with a muscular croon that filled the room with the sprawling magical vibe of the original. Meanwhile, bass man Jeff Thomas pressed out a bulbous run of elegant low end notes with a gentle ease.
Jay McMurphy went into The Beatles’s “Eight Days A Week” rather casually, offhandedly, but once the band came jumping in, the trio played it like old pros. McMurphy handled those chords as easily as walking the dog. The bass notes marched forward with the largeness of an entire marching band. “Ticket To Ride” let The McMurphy’s show off more of their beautiful harmony vocals. McMurphy and Welch sang together in a gentle, sloping breeze. Welch’s speedy high hat work added another layer of zip.
Drummer boy Welch sang lead vocals on “Spooky” while spiking it with nice touches, spanking it along with a brisk, pushy beat and steady rolls and fills. Danceable and funky, the tune gained a lot from the McMurphy’s muscular thrust. Segue into “Love Potion Number 9” and the trio continued pumping out their magic with steady aplomb.
The three played the acoustic guitar version of “Light My Fire” which reminded a little of Jose Feliciano’s version. Yet, this one found Jay McMurphy singing in an expansive ballad format. His handsome vocal made an impression whenever he sustained his notes. “Sweet Home Chicago” showed off how the McMurphy’s could play faux blues, having fun with the 12 bar format.
The venue, Boondocks Tavern & Country Grill, aside from offering fun bands like The McMurphy’s, are known for their Amazing Triple Play Wings with homemade blues cheese dressing. A food critic would likely enjoy their wings’ zingy, spicy flavor. Dip them into the homemade blues cheese dressing and your taste buds will thank you. Many of my readers already know this from stopping by Boondocks when they’re in New Hampshire for summer vacation or winter sports.
The three players conjured a true Irish party vibe with “Drunken Sailor” and its solid rocking horse groove full of pulpy low end; the lead singer putting it across with a zesty, rapid, and precise delivery. The Pogues’ “Dirty Old Town” too made you feel the Irish folk music vibe. Down tempo, “Town” complimented any beverage with its friendly melody and earthy storytelling imagery.
Speaking of folk music, The McMurphy’s have a feel for it no matter what country it was born in. They nailed a couple of Johnny Cash tunes, “Ring Of Fire” and “Folsom Prison Blues” that felt natural coming after the two Irish songs. A jaunty strum gave plenty of lift to “Brown Eyed Girl,” technically an Irish song because Van Morrison is Irish and also because of its poetic, image-laden motion. A playful rendition of Paul Simon’s “Me And Julio Down By The School” was a very welcome addition to their set. Then, a cool, swaggering beat drove “Moondance” along its ebullient groove while Mr. McMurphy delivered a smooth, suave vocal over it.
The McMurphy’s are an inventive lot. Mr. McMurphy whistled the main melody line from Dion’s “Runaway” to substitute for not having a keyboard. The rhythm section threw in a throbbing Latin beat on “La Bamba” before playing a rollicking “Twist And Shout” that was loaded with punchy bass and driving drums. The trio even served up the high pop harmonies of The Eagles “Witchy Woman” to honor a patron who had wandered into Boondocks wearing a black witch costume.
The trio slapped out “Mustang Sally” on the strength of heavily accented guitar chords and a hard driving funk groove, Mr. McMurphy’s hefty, soulful vocal was another plus. A hearty take on “Pretty Woman” featured Wally Welch belting the words while laying down the oh so familiar beat. Nearing the end of the evening, the boys performed a couple of Elvis Presley songs. Mr. McMurphy sang “The Wonder Of You” with a particularly fulsome, rich vocal, carrying those nuances with an almost operatic croon. “Suspicious Minds” offered a tight rhythmic click that rocked the room.
There was never a dull moment with this part-Irish, part-rock and roll, part tribute to old crooners musical combo. The McMurphy’s are sure to find a good home in homey venues like Boondocks Tavern & Country Grill in Weare, New Hampshire.
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