Lonesome Curve (Independent)

Warren Murfitt’s first album under his own name is so guilelessly straightforward, you could be forgiven for thinking that this cowboy-hatted singer-songwriter and his old-school country tunes got frozen in amber (or bourbon) in some saloon miles from anyone who has any digital anything. So it may come as some surprise to discover that the B.C. native is also a respected sculptor, visual artist, and builder of exquisite acoustic guitars.

The size-tall singer, who also performs in a more bluegrass-based duet called Late Thaw alongside singer-bassist Kate Main, has what you might call a conversational voice. But, oh, what conversations! Murfitt’s originals are uniformly strong (the waltz-time “Saturday Night” was written with Main), with the usual themes of loneliness, country living, and drinking far too much given fresh treatment in producer Simon Kendall’s superb arrangements.

Kendall is a fine keyboard player, but most listeners will latch onto the phalanx of awesome guitarists backing the leader. Pauls Pigat and Rigby have standout solos while John Ellis and George Majoris keep things moving with waves of pedal-steel wooze. Of special note in the well-recorded, handsomely packaged release are the swinging “Cadillac Mary” and Bob Wills-ish title song. The singer’s tender side is equally memorable, with the ballad “Light in Your Room” and the Appalachian-style closer “The Valley” leaving you with more spiritual thoughts. Now that’s some fine art, pardner.

Warren Murfitt performs Friday (April 6) at the WISE Hall.