In the Treehouse with Paul Murphy and friends

A documentary  about the Songwriter's Cafe, a Birmingham institution

Songwriters Cafe 1 hr version part 1 by Radio To Go

Two files: a two-part documentary. This one's on Soundcloud, the other, after the jump, is on MixCloud (I'm running short of space). I try to tell the story of a 2011 summer evening at Paul Murphy's Songwriter's Cafe. Paul organises this lovely event most weeks during the summer months, in his treehouse venue in South Birmingham. It is a platform for the oft-neglected art of the singer-songwriter. Performers are allowed to flourish and develop in front of a warm and receptive audience. I always feel wholly privileged to be at one of these events. And since Paul, pictured above (thank you, Richard Shakespeare), asked me to get involved, adding short interviews to his web feed - the event is streamed live at www.rhubarbradio.com and www.paulmurphytv.com - I thought I should try to tell a slightly more detailed story.

Songwriter's Cafe 1 hr version part 2 by Robinvalk on Mixcloud

So this is an audio snapshot. The plan for 2012 is maybe a longer documentary with more songs and longer interviews, and, maybe, slicker production. We'll also cook up some retrospective clips form 2011 to preview this season. But, please, have a listen, and tell me what you think. And do tell Paul too - he's at murphmusic@gmail.com. It's a wonderful collaborative thing Paul does. And, yes, it's the same Paul Murphy who tears up the stage as lead singer/poet with the Destroyers. A remarkable man. Only in Birmingham...