(July 24, 2022) Shirley Murdock is a singer who made her mark in both R&B and Gospel circles. Her ability to tell a story and display the emotion of a lyric can be found in her biggest hits.
This Toledo, Ohio native was discovered by fellow Ohioan, the late Roger Troutman. Singing backup for Roger and his group, Zapp, led to her signing a record deal with Elektra Records. In 1986 she released her gold-selling self titled debut album, which housed some of her biggest hits. "As We Lay," a cover of the song originally recorded by The Human Body (a group that was conceived by Roger), became her signature hit and a Top 5 hit. Her other Top 5 R&B hit from that album was "Go On Without You" which was co-written by Roger's brother, Larry Troutman.
(July 24, 2022) Shirley Murdock is a singer who made her mark in both R&B and Gospel circles. Her ability to tell a story and display the emotion of a lyric can be found in her biggest hits.
This Toledo, Ohio native was discovered by fellow Ohioan, the late Roger Troutman. Singing backup for Roger and his group, Zapp, led to her signing a record deal with Elektra Records. In 1986 she released her gold-selling self titled debut album, which housed some of her biggest hits. "As We Lay," a cover of the song originally recorded by The Human Body (a group that was conceived by Roger), became her signature hit and a Top 5 hit. Her other Top 5 R&B hit from that album was "Go On Without You" which was co-written by Roger's brother, Larry Troutman.
For this Lost Gem, we fast forward two years to Shirley's 1988 sophomore release, A Woman's Point of View. The lead single from that album was the ballad "Husband," co written by Larry Troutman and Billy Beck. "Husband" described the realization by Shirley that the man she was in relationship with was actually married. The spin on this song is that while most songs that use this scenario as a backdrop have the person stay with the married man, Shirley takes the counter route and recognizes that she needs to leave. She plainly sings "My decency prevails ...so I'm letting you go.... desire says I should but I say no." This song quickly became a staple on radio and was the third Top 5 R&B hit of her career.
To commemorate Shirley's musical journey that is closing in on forty years, a 3 disc compilation of her most memorable songs is set for release on August 26. This SoulTracks Lost Gem is an exclusive single edit version that has never been released on CD until now. Enjoy this trip down memory lane and rediscover one of the more powerful female voices of that era.
By Keivu Knox
SoulTracks Lost Gem
Shirley Murdock - "Husband"