On the Couch with Philip Murray Warson

Philip Murray Warson AAR On the CouchWho is Philip Murray Warson?
Musician and performer from London.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
When I was at university, I wanted to be a journalist, so maybe something in that line.

Who inspires you and why?
I’m constantly blown away by Ray Charles. As a singer, songwriter, arranger, bandleader, pianist… a lot of people don’t know he was also a mean alto sax player. He was reeling off Soul LPs while most people were still getting their heads round it as a subgenre, weaving in jazz, gospel, pure R&B, delta blues and country seamlessly together. He was incredibly cool, stylish, funny, charming… oh and with all of this he was BLIND!

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Recycle & buy records.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Spain – has everything, amazing landscape, great people, great language, food, culture, history, weather.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
To London? I’d take them to lunch at the seafood restaurant in Covent Garden, Oyster Men, my cousin co-owns, a trip up to Denmark Street to take in some guitars, then Soho for a drink.

What are you currently reading?
M Train – Patti Smith.

What are you currently listening to?
The last LP I played was Miles Davis, Jazz Track – which is some of the stuff he did for a French film soundtrack just before he cut Kind of Blue. Last thing on phone was Let’s Dance and Hide Away – which is an early Freddie King album.

Happiness is?
Coffee and a record / Manhattan and a record (depending on the time of day) in good company.

What does the future hold for you?
Let’s just wait and see…

Philip stars as Paul Simon in The Simon & Garfunkel Story – which is performing selected dates across Australia from 17 August 2018. For more information, visit: www.thesimonandgarfunkelstory.com for details.

Image: Philip Murray Warson