Recordings

"History, mood, wonderful arranging.  Murdock's intelligence and detail are a joy to listen to."

George Francis Maida, WCVE Radio, Richmond, VA

Since 1980, Lee has released eleven albums/CDs. The recordings are aired on radio programs across North America, where they have consistently been ranked among the favorites of DJs and listeners. Sing Out! Magazine has published words and music to four songs recorded by Murdock, and he is featured in a "Spotlight" in the Fall 95 issue of the magazine.

All of these recordings remain in print, and are available here for ordering on-line, or by mail order. [click here to print an order form]

In addition to his twelveCDs, Murdock is also a contributor to the book, Windjammers: Songs of the Great Lakes Sailors, and the new CD/Songbook for educators, Lake Rhymes, Folk Songs of the Great Lakes Region.

Standing at the Wheel [May 2002] Lee Murdock's eleventh CD, Standing at the Wheel, includes 14 maritime songs depicting life on the Great Lakes, from the days of sail to contemporary 21st century events and issues.

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Windjammers: Songs of the Great Lakes Sailors

[February 2002] by Wayne State University Press.
Songbook: A collection of traditional sailing songs from the Great Lakes.
253 pages, song notes with musical scores, plus a 58 minute CD, sampling the field recordings held at the Ivan Walton Collection, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

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The Lost Lake Sailors [2000] There are many ways in which a sailor can be lost, not just in a shipwreck, but also lost at sea, lost in their career, lost in spirit, lost in the pages of history.

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Great Lakes Chronicle...Live [1998] Great Lakes Chronicle is a unique item in the Lee Murdock collection, a live two-CD set including 8 solo performances, and 12 songs recorded with his band.  But it is the stories, intermingled with the songs, that makes this recording special, and so different from all the other releases.

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Voices Across the Water [1997] One of Lee's most popular recordings, in 1997 Lee "finally" included his arrangement of the popular Gordon Lightfoot song, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Always looking for a chance to give his songs accurate historical perspective, Lee joined this contemporary folksong with a traditional song from an earlier era in the Great Lakes iron ore trade, The Red Iron Ore.  

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Freshwater Highway [1995] Lee Murdock's songs create an unforgettable image of commerce and recreation as they coexist on the Great Lakes today, with huge cargo ships traversing vital shipping lanes while pleasure craft of all types and sizes share the waters along America's fourth coast.

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Safe in the Harbor [1993] While Lee Murdock always strives to present a varied yet balanced "slice" of Great Lakes heritage in each of his CDs, still this CD, more than any other, has a decidedly Irish emphasis.     

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Cold Winds [1991, CD/cassette] Cold Winds was Lee Murdock's fifth career recording, but the first CD to be devoted entirely to the Great Lakes theme. Well over a decade since its release, it is still an all-time favorite of many fans.

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Folk Songs of the Great Lakes Region [1989 Cassette or Book/Cassette Package] A unique item in Lee's discography, this package was created for use by classroom teachers (applicable K-12) to enrich the study of Great Lakes history through folk music.

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Fertile Ground [1989, CD and cassette] This early recording has stood well to the test of time.  Fertile Ground, with its mix of instrumental guitar tunes (a ragtime piece and two Irish tunes by the 17th century harpist, Turlough O'Carolan, plus the medley Gilderoy/Flowers of the Forest), some blues and jazz and folk standards, plus five maritime or Great Lakes tunes.   

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Wayfaring Stranger [1987, originally released on vinyl; now available as a limited edition CD remaster] The highlight of this CD may be Lee's 12-string guitar arrangement of Wayfaring Stranger. Inspired by a performance by Odetta at the 1984 Summerfolk Festival. She sang just this one song, for her entire half hour set. 

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Where the Pinery Narrows [1984, originally released on vinyl; now available as a limited edition CD remaster] Lee's second CD, released in 1984. Featuring Drew Carson on mandolin, with other musicians including Jacquie Manning (now half of Small Potatoes), Don Stiernberg, and others.

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The Grand Departure [1980, originally released on vinyl; now available as a limited edition CD remaster] Lee's Debut CD, 1980. This CD is strictly Lee's voice and guitar, no overdubs. It has stood the test of time, a creditable debut album (and look at that hair!!)

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