Danny Kroha of the ’90s garage-rock legends The Gories will play Murphy’s this Friday night. His latest album Angels Watching Over Me (released on Jack White’s Third Man Records) is a complete change in direction from the stomping garage rock that made The Gories one of the torchbearers of ’90s garage rock (along with Memphis’ own Oblivians). On Angels Watching Over Me, Kroha tries his hand at the banjo, dulcimer, diddley bow, washtub bass, jug, and mouth organ for his first release under his own name. Recorded in an 100-year-old vacant house in Detroit, Angels Watching Over Me features songs by Son House, I.D. Stamper, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Brother Will Hairston.
Danny Kroha
Danny Kroha
Also on the bill is Mississippi native Jake Xerxes Fussell, who released his debut album earlier this year on Paradise of Bachelors. Produced by William Tyler, Fussell’s first release is a 10-song collection of folk songs rife with storytelling techniques similar to Hiss Golden Messenger or George Daniel. Fussell has toured with Reverend John Wilkins (a Goner Fest favorite) and met up with William Tyler last year to begin working on his debut album.
Rounding out the evening is Shawn Cripps, the Memphis mastermind behind the Limes and frequent collaborator with Harlan T. Bobo and Time’s Chris Owen. Cripps has been scarce on the live-music scene lately, but his albums Tarantula and Rhinestone River (released on Goner Records) are proof that Cripps deserves attention whenever he decides to make a local appearance. Friday’s show should be on your radar for a number of different reasons, and we recommend getting to the gig early to catch Cripps do his thing. Advanced tickets are available at Goner Records for a reduced price. Otherwise, $8 gets you in.