Peter Murphy
Irving Plaza
June 14, 2002
By David Chiu

Ex-Bauhaus and Gothic forefather Peter Murphy
continues to dazzle into his third decade as a solo
artist. The melancholic singer integrates elements of
Middle Eastern influences, ambient, and pop with his
personal, complex lyrics without alienating his
faithful, black-wearing fans. While most of his peers
steer on a more comfortable, sure path, Murphy
challenges leaving a more unsettling but no less
satisfying results.

The charismatic vocalist makes a return to the city in
support of his latest album the ambitious Dust. Its
compositions are longer, exotic, and moodier in
contrast to his shorter, melodic flair. This music's
eclectic nature both contributes the tension and
elegance that his work has been renowned for.

Murphy and his superb backing band played nearly all
of Dust's tracks: such as "Fake Sparkle or Golden
Dust," "Things to Remember," "Just For Love," and
"Your Face." The rest of the set consisted of his
earlier solo work and were crowd pleasers: "All Night
Long ," Roll Call, a revised interpretation of
"Subway," and his signature solo song "Cuts You Up."
During an encore, the Goth and alternative crowd was
surprised at hearing his cover of Bowie's "Space Oddity"
with lush electronic accompaniment and his violinist.
With his brooding vocals, Murphy delivers a version of
near-perfect rendition of the song.

The show highlighted Murphy as a magnetic live
performer, as he was twirling around, gyrating, and
channeling the spirits and evoking his aura through
his arm gestures (not to mention holding a small shaft
of light in his hand and changing wardrobe between
encores). And for someone who has been known for
specializing in all things dark and moody, he was very
affable; when one heckler in the audience asked what
song he just played, Murphy curtly answered, "That was
not a question." He threw the mike down to a female
audience member who requested "Marlene Dietrich's
Favourite Poem," and he did it brilliantly. Even in
the guise of a serious, Gothic performer, Murphy can
be both humorous and charming.

http://www.peter-murphy.org