James R Murphy

Good Lyrics Make Great Poetry James R Murphy

An eclectic collection of poems, songs, and musical theater. In a recent column, Ms. Amy Dickinson stated, "When you sing, you are communicating poetry that was so beautiful that a composer decided to set it to music." American Literary Press Editor: "In this eclectic collection of poems, songs, and musical theater, Murphy pens both humorous and sensitive words that are filled with colorful descriptions, double entendres, and fitting Southern drawls. The author combines a lyrical feel for cadence, rhythm, and rhyme with a strong command of the English language to deliver some poignant and witty explorations of the human psyche. From macabre descriptions to heartfelt sentiments, Murphy bares an emphatic soul. His forays into musical theater are noteworthy, but particularly exceptional is "Luke and Sarah," which, in telling the story of two feuding mountain clans, dichotomizes the prim and the salacious, the virtuous and vulgar. It would be wonderful to see this work performed on stage as it is a sort of backwoods "West Side Story." The words to "Member" and "Truck Stop" are also lyrics that can be independently enjoyed for their purely poetical properties."