Warwick singer-songwriter Norma O’Hara Murphy has released her first new single in several years, putting her own distinctive spin on the country classic Tennessee Waltz as the lead track from her forthcoming album, Riding With The Wind.
Tennessee Waltz was written by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King in 1946 and later made famous by Patti Page, going on to become one of the most enduring songs in country music. O’Hara Murphy said the idea to record her own version came after watching other artists tackle the song.
“I saw a couple of clips of different people doing it on YouTube, like Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.
“I thought, ‘I reckon I can do this song justice and do a really good Aussie version.'”
The Golden Guitar winner is best known for her original material, but recording a classic has become a tradition across her albums.
“I think Tennessee Waltz is just an absolute classic that nearly everyone loves and relates to.”
For O’Hara Murphy, the song carries personal weight, recalling the country dances and community halls of her childhood.
“I grew up going to some of those old country halls, seeing the dance band playing all those classics, everybody dancing, and all the sawdust on the floor.
“Just the sound of the band and the old-style feel with the waltz brings all that back to me. I’m sure a lot of older people will totally relate to that as well.”
The single features Liam Kennedy Clark on guitars, keys, bass and slide guitar, Mark Spencer on saxophone, and Steve Francis on drums, recorded at Lush Studios in Redcliffe, Queensland, with Marshal Cullen and O’Hara Murphy on production duties. The saxophone, played by Mark Spencer on this track, holds a special place for O’Hara Murphy.
“The saxophone is probably my favourite instrument.
“Another of my songs, Sydney Or The Bush, we had the most wonderful saxophone by a chap called Graham Jesse, who played in the Today Show band many years ago. I always loved that track.”
Tennessee Waltz leads into O’Hara Murphy’s upcoming album, Riding With The Wind, which will include a mix of originals and favourites.
“There’s going to be quite a few originals on this album, as well as some of my favourites.”
Among the new tracks is The Unknown Soldier, inspired by the story behind Australia’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“At my age, I guess I’m getting a bit reflective. It will be totally a Norma O’Hara Murphy album, and my fans know what to expect from me.”
O’Hara Murphy said her songwriting continued to be shaped by the people, places and experiences of life on the road.
“I think that’s always the thing that people love about my music; it’s very honest and it’s very real.”
Riding With The Wind will be launched at O’Hara Murphy’s Bony Mountain Festival in September.
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