Nicole Knox Murphy
Nicole Knox Murphy performed a couple of sets of originals and covers outside Penuche’s Bar & Grill in Manchester, New Hampshire last Saturday night. Murphy’s backing tracks drew a mixed response from this reviewer. Sometimes they were warm and appropriate. Other times, she would’ve been better off just accompanying herself with her acoustic guitar. Nothing, though, could distract from the pure, wholesome beauty of her voice. Combining a bright, soft timbre with strong emphasis and projection, she seemed like someone who should’ve been signed and famous long ago.
After a brief warm up, she showed her sense of humor, performing a warm cover of Jim Croce’s “Leroy Brown,” putting enough emphasis in this whimsical story song to carry it well. A cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” showed just how prettily Knox Murphy could spread her soft, tender vocal over a sweet tune, moving with it perfectly.
Performing “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” from her new Music Is In My Heart CD, Knox Murphy mourned the American Dream with the pristine beauty of her voice. Vocally, she balanced the heaviness of a broken American landscape while she kept a persistent theme of hope. Soon after, her take on a Lumineer’s tune drew heavy audience approval. Knox Murphy also proved she could rock things up when she belted Creedence Clearwater Revival without losing any of her pretty timbre, stretching herself somewhat to put more emphasis on this gritty number. Them’s “Brown Eyed Girl” let Knox Murphy show how smoothly she could move her voice through Van Morrison’s twisty lyrics.
One of Knox Murphy’s best numbers was a cover of “Let Me Be There,” originally popularized by Olivia Newton John. The audience must have agreed, as many were singing along with her as the local singer showed she wasn’t afraid to be compared to one of the most popular singers ever. Knox Murphy next showed the largeness of her voice, straddling Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” a song that requires a singer to have big personality as well as the required vocal chops.
Many people may not quite realize it, but Knox Murphy is a fine connoisseur of great modern music. She pulled out of her hat “Sugar Sugar,” originally popularized by The Archies, keeping it nice and sweet, like any good pop confection should be. Knox Murphy scored some points by injecting plenty of emotion into the Seals And Croft 1970s hit “Summer Breeze.”
Nicole Knox Murphy
Original number, “Rumble Strips,” also from her new CD, was a whimsical country and western treat. Knox Murphy applied just a slight rasp to her vocal timbre to this mid-tempo piece about highway rumble strips. From there, Knox Murphy unleashed a few country rock, southern rock gems. “It’s So Easy” was a fun tune in her hands.” The Eagles’ “Take It Easy” was a joy ride with Knox Murphy at the microphone. Bonnie Tyler’s “It’s A Heartache” featured Knox Murphy’s more sweeping vocals on that memorable chorus. She went on to handle the assertive vocals of “Sweet Home Alabama,” which inspired one fan to turn a plastic garbage lid into a percussion instrument.
Murphy sang her new song “My 603,” a witty, lyrically detailed tribute to the Granite State before nailing the sweet bouncy rhythm of Steve Miller Band’s “Jet Airliner.” Knox Murphy turned aggressive rocker for Joan Jett’s “Hate Myself For Loving You” but next expressed the gentle ling motion of “Mama Rock Me Like A Wagon Wheel” before closing out her evening with Van Morrison’s “Have I Told You Lately,” which she carried very well.
Knox Murphy fans assembled outside Penuche’s Bar & Grill on Hanover street were treated to three hours of her nimble, sweet singing voice. This singer can only grow bigger in recognition. So, she should play more of her own original songs in her sets.
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