Friday, January 10, 1997

Coryell brings pop-blues sound to Towne Crier Cafe

By Rand Otten

To have as much talent as Murali Coryell has at age 27 should be a crime.

This passionate, young songwriter and guitarist who makes his home in Highland when not touring the world to promote his debut album, "Eyes Wide Open,' will play his brand of soulful pop blues at the Towne Crier Cafe (355-1300) Sunday night.

"It will be an evening of rhythm and blues with me, soul singer/guitarist Murali Coryell," he says. "My music is rooted in the traditional R&B style of the '50s and '60s and has some real good beats with some really fun Iyrics."

Lyrics like "I make payments on my car that keeps breaking down The water man. the gas man, the tax man keep coming around" and 'Let your vision follow your imagination 'Cause that's the path to true salvation" help get listeners in that blues/soul kind of mood.

And with a voice that mixes the best of Sam Cooke and Terence Trent D'Arby, this performer should go places, big time.

But 1996 wasn't quite the year Coryell hoped it would be.

"After you put out your first album, you hope you're going to be a star, but it's rough and it's a lot of work. But it's been a learning experience," he says.

Coryell hopes 1997 proves to be his best year, with plans to get back into the studio, a potential publishing deal for his songs and a possible tour to Indonesia.

Catch Coryell Sunday with his band, Bill Foster (bass), Jeremy Baum (organ, keyboards) and Rod Gross (drums). Plan to see another familiar face in the crowd.

"My dad will be at the show and might make a surprise appearance." Dad is Larry Coryell, a jazz-fusion guitar master and Millbrook resident.