Singer, song writer, performer Lee Murdock has a new CD out ‘Between Two Worlds’. Typically I associate Murdock with songs from back in the day, songs about wooden ships, songs from the past. His new CD does a fine job of mixing tradition and contemporary.

The traditional side is represented by songs like ‘Tommy’s Gone to Hilo’which describes Tommy a sailor who ranges from Buffalo to Cape Horn, and Homeward Bound an old capstan shanty.

The discs 1st track ‘Mill Towns’ is an evocative contemporary song that will come home to anyone who has grown up in a rust belt, industrial or waterfront town. Murdock sings ‘Old Port’ a song picked right out recent Lake Michigan history lamenting the Linda E the commercial fishing tug run down at sea.

He includes a couple of handy, novelty sing along type numbers. These numbers are ‘Eddystone Light’ & ‘Sailors Alphabet’.

Murdock casts his head towards daily life, commuting, conference calls and email in ‘Casting your Cares to the Deep’ This song is firmly in the a bad day sailing is better than a good day in the office tradition.

The final song I will note is 1913 Massacre a Woodie Guthrie tune. This describes a hideous occurrence during labor strife in Michigan’s UP.

This collection corrected any perception I may have had that Murdock is just a sing of nostalgic schooner tunes. Rather, he’s a full blown contemporary musician with command of a wider range of subjects than most.

For those in the Muskegon area Murdock will be performing at the Langeland House Bed and Breakfast November 14th from 4 to 6 PM.

Share or bookmark this story: