Shaun Murphy - Brand New Blues

By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © May 2026

Prelude
During the twenty-four years we have been doing CD reviews here at Mary4Music.com, we have had the pleasure of working with so many artists who have repeatedly used our services. That said, spanning seventeen of those years we have had the honor and privilege of working with Shaun Murphy on eleven out of her thirteen releases. It is for that reason Mary and I are proud to announce that we are presenting Shaun Murphy with our first ever "Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award". Shaun, Mary and I want to thank you for all the trust you've placed in us over these years and for your long and wonderful friendship as well. Let's keep this thing going!

Review
When it came to assembling a band for this project, Shaun Murphy kept it simple. That said, there is nothing simple about the recording. As a matter of fact, with just four musicians backing her up, vocally, musically and production wise, Brand New Blues is simply masterful. Those joining Shaun - on vocals and tambourine - are: Tommy Stillwell on guitar and vocals; Tom DelRossi on drums and percussion; Anthony Saddic on keyboards; and Mike Mean on bass. The disc's thirteen tracks include four collaborations of Shaun's and nine covers.

The disc opens with a track titled "Mama's Home" (J. Edwards), and right out of the gate, with her signature power; melodic growls; and borderless range; Shaun immediately commands your attention. The song tells of Shaun's journey back to her lover and hearing her belt out a line like "Open your arms sweet daddy, mama's home" had to have put a smile on that lucky man's face. Musically, with it's roaring rhythm and substantial slide guitar, this one's a smoker indeed.

Everyone who regularly reads my reviews knows that I am a sucker for a slow, bluesy ballad done by a female artist with a beautiful voice. Enter Shaun Murphy. On an original titled "Mobile" (S. Murphy, L. Anderson,T. Stillwell), Shaun had me in a five-and-a-half minute blues ballad trance. With the rhythm section in a calmly, comfortable groove, Tommy's delicate guitar work is as beautiful as the song. Having mentioned this to her before, Shaun knows that I'd love to hear a complete album - or better yet, a seventy-five minute live concert - of nothing but songs like this. I'd even fly to Nashville for it.

Having just bared my soul over my love of her ballads, the other end of Shaun's spectrum leaves nothing at all to be desired. Listening to her rock out on "Brand New Blues" (D. Jones, R. Mason) will testify to that. Speaking of rocking out, just wait till you hear the heavy rhythm being pounded out by Tom and Mike, and the seriously scorching guitar runs from Tommy.

So when I saw this track on the list of songs, the first thought that ran through my mind was that Shaun, during her many tours with Bob Seger, has done it many times over. However, this is not that version of "Against The Wind" (C. Anderson), and I was not at all disappointed. As with every track - this time with Anthony leading the way with outstanding organ work - the rhythm is once again masterful; and the guitar work by Tommy is again stellar.

Prior to doing this review, the preliminary notes I had made for "Just As I Am"(S. Carrol, J. Solberg, L. Allison) were "had me from the opening notes 'cause I immediately knew it was a ballad, and no one does ballads better than Shaun". That said, methinks I already got my point across on this one.

If the clever but very matter of fact lyrics on "Take My Kiss Up Off Your Lips" (J. Edwards) didn't make it clear enough that you are being broken up with, the matter of fact attitude and intensity Shaun's using to broadcast them surely well. Damn girl! Highlighted by some of Anthony's best piano work, this one's again loaded with more great rhythm and guitar work.

Having been around the block a few times when it comes to relationships, the lesson Shaun has learned is that if she had to choose between love and monnnayyy (as she so sassily says), "I'm Gonna Take The Money" (A, Russell, D. Burgess, J. Cotten). Another vocal masterpiece with Shaun doing her own backing vocals.

Unlike other artists (The Four Seasons and Fergie, for starters) who have done songs with a similar sounding title, this original titled "Big Gurlz Don't Cry"(T. Barkoukis, K. Cramer, S. Murphy) is followed by the menacing line of "they get even".

One of the things I especially liked about the music on this disc being the product of just four outstanding musicians is that by the time I got to the last track - another original titled "Love's Track" (S. Murphy, T. Stillwell, K. Cramer), I appreciated not hearing several guitarists, drummers, etc, and I actually felt like I just listened to a concert.....and what a concert it was!

Other tracks on yet another Shaun Murphy masterpiece include: "Bad Luck And Trouble" (C. Anderson); "Killing Time" (C. Anderson); "Flatlands" (S. Azar); and another original titled "Love me Like You Used To Love Me" (S. Murphy,T. Stillwell, K. Cramer).

If you want to find out more about Shaun Murphy, just go to her website – https://shaunmurphyband.com. Additionally, be it Shaun or T. C. you contact, please tell them their good friend the Blewzzman sent you.