Moore revives 15-year-old gospel cassette
After returning from a nine year stint in the west, Codys resident Murray Moore has re-released an old recording project in a new format.
"I just came back from Alberta two years ago," said Moore.
Singing in his church, the Abundant Life Centre in Chipman on a monthly basis, he decided to use his music to help others involved in spreading the Christian message.
"Being a Christian, I'd like to help missions. All the money I get (from music sales) goes to missions."
The new format is a CD remake of a cassette that was first recorded about 15 years ago.
"Two musicians played with me. I had a band, Malachi, a Bible prophet, it means ‘his messenger.'" Frank Mierwa played lead guitar and Earl Smith played bass. Both men live in the Quispamsis area now. They haven't played together for some time because Moore went out west, but he has recently talked to them about re-grouping.
"We're not just a band for entertainment, we're putting out a message," Moore said. "I grew up listening to country. I had a personal salvation when I was 21. I've been singing and serving the Lord all these years. I'm 63 now."
Moore thanks his wife, Rose, in the CD liner notes. He said his partner of 12 years stood beside him and encouraged him to make the CD. He is dad to four children and comes from a large family himself, with five brothers and five sisters. He grew up in the Minto area.
The original cassette was recorded at Sound Expressions in Lake Utopia, owned by Christian Gay.
"When I went out west I had a few tapes left over, and the original (studio) tapes. I took them down and had it done over." The CD, entitled The Lighthouse, was made from the original recording two months ago.
"People still seem to like the thing," said Moore. Although he listens mostly to gospel now, his vocals are in the style of country singers like Alan Jackson or George Strait. "We went from church to church quite a bit," he said of his band. "I am a minister of the gospel and headed up this musical ministry for a number of years, traveling through the Maritimes."
They played in New Brunswick and in some parts of Nova Scotia. All the live playing helped when they went to the recording studio.
"It costs more, the more takes (you do)," they were told of the studio expenses. They did one take for each song because they knew them so well.
Moore said he is influenced by the Hemphill Family, the Goodman Family, Gordie Jensen and the Phillips Family, a bluegrass gospel group from New Brunswick. He himself does some bluegrass gospel, but that is not featured on his current release. The CD is available in Sussex at Backstage Music.
Odds & ends
There will be a Marie Short Country Concert May 17 at Hampton United Church. There will be classic country with Herb Isbill; accordion tunes with Donna Stephenson; Denny James; Tim Wallace; Eddie Bertin; Sam Aucoin; maybe some Cash or Kristofferson with Ralph Henderson and Lynn Henderson. In addition to those regulars, special guests include Pat Belanger; Mareb Klein; Pam Keleher; Emily Howe; Matthew O'Keefe; Howard Ross, Ernie and June Blanchard and the Men's Choir.
Admission it $10 at the door. Showtime is 7 p.m. Proceeds will go to help support the work of Hampton United Church.
Randy Vail and Lost Highway will be hosting a musical showcase May 31 at Sussex Regional High School. Featured guests will include bluegrass legend Eddie Poirier and family; fiddler Matt Hayes; singer-songwriter Brent Mason; vocalists Chelsea Golding, Beth O'Donnell, Jillian O'Donnell, Gary Burgess, Bruce Golding, Hazen and Eileen Kennedy, and Bobby Burke; and piano maestro Joe Ness. Tickets are $10 at Connie's Collectables or The Source in Sussex. Showtime is 7 p.m.
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