Michael Martin Murphey - Buckaroo Blue Grass (Rural Rhythm) Back in the early ‘70s, Michael Martin Murphey went under the moniker “The Original Cosmic Cowboy”, and his great songs like “Geronimo’s Cadillac” and “Wildfire” helped signpost the way for a generation of Nashville outsiders and Austin singer-songwriters. These days, Murphey is the biggest selling singer of cowboy songs in the world and he’s dropped the “cosmic”. As the title of his new album suggests, it’s an exploration of his bluegrass roots (as a youngster he sang lead with Earl Scruggs Band) but with the Western imagery very much left intact. Here he’s mainly applying bluegrass makeovers to older material, including early classics such as “What Am I Doing Hanging Around?” And “Carolina In The Pines”. With a full bluegrass band, including luminaries Sam Bush, Ronnie McCoury and Rhonda Vincent, the sound is rich and authentic, and the old songs are done justice. If you’ve followed Murphey’s career thus far, this no place to make excuses. If you’re only familiar with his early material, this might not be the best place to renew the acquaintance. www.michaelmartinmurpheymusic.com Rob F. Next