TUPELO, Mississippi-born singer-songwriter John Murry has more than a few stories to tell – those he can remember that is – and many of them are steeped in dramatic twists.

A relative of US writer William Faulkner, Murry’s career has yet to see him gain the wide acclaim he may have had if not for his addictions.

On this occasion, the drama aspect was he was not with his band when he had his passport stolen in Dublin.

Despite the odds he made the gig although his band did not.

Once he got into his rhythm, which took longer than anticipated, Murry established the sound associated with him – sombre, at times dark and moody though due to the earthly feel, uplifting (in its own way) – as he shared various events of his own life.

On starting Little Colored Balloons, he quipped, “If I mess up we won’t try and sort it but move on to another song”. Happily he did not mess up but delivered the classic tale of how he “died” on the way to the hospital from a heroin overdose in masterful fashion.

Things We Lost In The Fire and most others came from his album The Graceless Age, although he delivered one he had written the previous evening and an excellent version of old folk ballad Hang Me, Oh Hang Me.

There were also covers from John Prine, Neil Young (‘they are all the same melody, only different words; he’s a genius! he noted) and Bruce Springsteen, whom he was determined to include. Prine’s song Paradise came out top, the meaningful, imagerystrewn lyrics beautifully performed by the enigmatic Murry.

Maurice Hope