Matt “Guitar” Murphy was born in Sunflower, Mississippi on December 29, 1929. He grew up in Memphis and, in 1948, he moved to Chicago where he developed his career. During the 50’s and 60’s he used to play with Howlin’ Wolf, Little Junior Parker, Koko Taylor, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Buddy Guy, Etta James, Otis Rush, Willie Dixon or Memphis Slim among many other first class bluesmen. In 1963 he traveled to Europe as member of the American Folk Blues Festival, but what gave him worldwide popularity was his appearance in the films “The Blues Brothers” and “Blues Brothers 2000” as well as entering as member of John Belushi’s and Dan Aykroyd’s band, extensively touring with them.

For more than forty years Murphy kept a solid friendship with drummer and producer Bob Cristina, regularly collaborating with him. In 2018 Bob asked him to come again to the studios, which was his last project as Matt passed away on June 15, 2018. Bob had on hands an unfinished project and decided to call many of the musicians who were friends, played with him or were influenced by Murphy, and the response was impressive. Thanks to the collaboration of so many musicians, Bob Cristina was able to record a double CD with twenty-four songs of the many ones Murphy had performed along his career.

I would not like to forget to mention some of the names who have participated in these two volumes, which become a more than a well-deserved tribute to this artist who deeply contributed to popularize the blues among large audiences. In this excellent double cd you will find artists like Doyle Bramhall II, Fran Christina, Steve Cropper, Ronnie Earl, Sax Gordon, Billy Boy Arnold, Bill Kirchen, Chuck Leavell, Bob Margolin, James Montgomery, Tracy Nelson, Johnny Nicholas, Christine Ohlman, Lee Oskar, Jerry Portnoy, Duke Robillard, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, Toni Lynn Washington and many others, as well as a bunch of songs that make this album become a treasure for all good fans.