Jim Murdoch is based in San Francisco and plays music in the ICU at UCSF’s Cancer Center for patients receiving chemo (check the liner notes). Many of the songs here are children’s-based songs. He uses a wide array of instruments including glockenspiel, accordion, organ, harmonica and a Turkish cumbus and zils. Influences are Pete Seeger, Leonard Cohen and quieter Nick Cave. No FCC’s.

*My Favorites*: 2, 3, 8, 11.

1. (3:50) Slow. Piano-based song, heartfelt and solemn.
2. *(4:55) Slow / Mid. Glockenspiel with an African and country sound, very folkish lyrics, reminiscent of Pete Seeger.
3. *(3:46) Mid. Reggae beat inside a children’s song. Great organ and accordion.
4. (4:22) Slow / Mid. Dreamy song about sailing away. Accordion, glock, organ.
5. (2:02) Mid. Intro with background voices leads to an accordion instrumental.
6. (3:02) Mid. Sparse instrumentation with brushes on the drums.
7. (4:01) Slow / Mid. Ominous piano, a classical tune, instrumental.
8. *(4:42) Slow. Harmonica intro, a song about leaving New Orleans. A simple story-song, with acoustic guitar leading the way.
9. (3:42) Slow. Another ominous song with piano. Dire events here, but also a few hopeful things.
10. (3:00) Slow / Mid. More minor keys on the piano. Instrumental.
11. *(5:20) Slow / Mid. Hopefulness amidst despair here in a song about Helios’ chariot drawn by the horses Dusk and Dawn (check the liner notes).
12. (2:43) Mid. The traditional song done by Murdoch with backing vocals and only a simple beat on a drum (or something).