Neil Murray again proves he is one of our best songwriters

The publicity blurb for Neil Murray's new album, "Dust", claims that it will be considered 'a landmark Australian album'. Murray laughs loudly when this is pointed out.

"Especially when it's called 'Dust'", he says. "That's not much of a landmark."

I confess I am worried about the tag. I have a cupboard full of so-called 'landmark' albums. Unfortunately, only myself and a few friends ever found out how good they were!

But now he is armed with a new deal with the ABC which recorded and released the new album as part of it's 'Songwriter' series. With the attendant publicity and airplay that the association might engender, Murray probably has a better chance than ever of letting a few more people know what a fine talent he is.

"Dust" is undoubtedly Murray's most accomplished album to date and, although it was apparently recorded 'on the smell of an oily rag', it has a rich, warm sound that brings the songs to life in dynamic fashion. Murray writes about his homeland and he also writes about relationships as the album swirls from the hard-edged to the introspective ballad. Christine Anu makes a fitting guest appearance on the album, after all Murray did provide her with "My Island Home". Also helping out are Archie Roach, David Bridie and members of Tiddas. You would have to believe that there is no justice in the world if "Dust" is not a success.

Coincidentally, Murray's old band the Warumpi Band - who blazed a pioneering trail for Aboriginal music back in the 80s - also have a new album out through CAAMA with Murray again as an integral member.

Neil Murray is almost too nice to be in the music business. This occurs to me while watching him launch "Dust", at The Continental Cafe. The fact is that here is a singer and songwriter who deserves a wider audience and it would be sad to think that such a strong album - certainly a contender for best local album of the year - could be overlooked.

Murray will not say so bluntly but he is undoubtedly disappointed with the relative lack of success of his last album "These Hands", released in 1993 on Mushroom. He does not like to talk about it much because he is afraid it might make him sound too negative.

Clad in working shirt and jeans, with R.M.Williams boots no doubt, Murray looks anything but a rock star. While he confidently fronts a band comprised of members of Overnight Jones plus Tony Hargraves on keyboards, it takes a while to seep in that Murray has departed from his acoustic mode (in which we saw him at Port Fairy and elsewhere recently) and is now leading a group. It is hard to see him as a 'star' - his very demeanour downplays his role as he brings on guests such as Shane Howard ("criminally neglected here" according to Murray), Kavisha Mazella and Archie Roach to share the spotlight.

When the band launch into "Melbourne Town" the audience responds warmly to the fact that it perfectly captures the mood of the city. In fact, it's uncommonly positive, considering the bad-mouthing Melbourne is receiving.

"I might be swimming against the overwhelming tide of northern migration," he sings to applause. "But I'll have rain on my shoes please / Win or lose."

Like Paul Kelly, Murray writes unselfconsciously about his own situation and locations. "Dust" is not only packed with images of home but also shows a songwriter in touch with his heritage. "Bulukbara Man", "Menindee" and others translate brilliantly to the stage.

Maybe the fact that Murray seems to have stayed in touch with the real world gives him a streak of stubbornness that will ensure he sticks at his craft until he strikes a vein. As he sings in one of his songs "he drives a big truck" and coming from the country he would be accustomed to the long periods of drought before the flood.

Born and raised in Western Victoria, Neil Murray has returned to the place of his upbringing after years in the Northern Territory and later Sydney. He started his musical journey as a teenager before moving to the NT to "discover the real Australia". As an outstation worker in the remote communities of Papunya and Kintore, Murray gained an appreciation of Aboriginal culture and went on to form the Warumpi Band. The Warumpis toured extensively and released "Big Name No Blankets" in 1985 and "Go Bush", albums which laid the groundwork for others who followed in their footsteps, such as Yothu Yindi.

After the breakup of the Warumpis, Murray moved back to Sydney in 1989 and recorded and released his first solo album, "Calm and Crystal Clear". The album was met with immediate critical acclaim and ended the year on many of the Top 10 lists. With his band The Rainmakers, Murray opened for Midnight Oil, Hunters & Collectors, The Black Sorrows, Hoodoo Gurus and Hothouse Flowers.

In 1993 "These Hands" was released and met similar acclaim to the debut. While the first single "Holy Road" garnered national airplay, the album did not fare as well as hoped. Shortly afterwards, the Mushroom deal fell through. Murray had also been working on his novel "Sing For Me Countryman" - a fascinating and compelling fictionalised account of some of his experiences in the outback. The book was published in October 1993 to much praise and there is a possibility that a film based on the story will be made shortly.

This past year has seen Murray working on material for his new album, writing poetry and touring Europe with a re-formed Warumpi Band. Now that "Dust" has finally been released Murray has enough to keep him busy for a while yet.

"I am very happy with it," says Murray of the new record. "It's been a long time coming but it's a worthy addition to the catalogue."

Murray had not been actively seeking a new deal, although one would have thought that record companies would have been falling over themselves to sign him up after the success his songs enjoyed with Christine Anu.

"I was just more interested in completing this recording," he says. "I liked what the ABC was doing. They were the first offer I sought. I thought it would be a good vehicle. I really didn't go knocking on doors a lot, I just wanted to get it out. The ABC offer was more expedient. It is totally my own collection and I was pretty much given free reign there, which is what I prefer anyway."

Paul Kosky recorded and mixed the album's first single "This Bliss" and "Peace Of Mind", while Jim Moginie produced "Native Born". As for the sound of the album, which seems to far exceed the allocated budget, Murray, who produced the remaining ten tracks, has a simple explanation.

"They're acoustic based songs," he explains. "I knew what I wanted all along and what to go for. I wanted enough to help the song and that's all and not get too fancy, keep it fairly organic and warm sounding. I go by feel mostly. I think I have learnt a lot from Jim Moginie - we certainly seem to click well in the studio. I think he did a fabulous job on "Native Born" and I would work with him at the drop of a hat because he is exceptional in terms of coming up with appropriate instrumentation to really help convey a song. He hits the oney every time for me."