Matt 'Guitar' Murphy performs at Satchmo's in Fort Lauderdale. (Andrew Nathanson / GatorProduction.com)

It’s a strong statement a man who played the blues with Howlin’ Wolf in 1948 states in 2011 he “dared himself not to quit.”’ So when he got on stage at Satchmo’s in Ft. Lauderdale, playing with Blues Music Award-winning Albert Castiglia, Matt “Guitar” Murphy settled that bet even at his advanced age.

There’s a new venue in town for live music and Murphy’s show is the type one finds more in L.A. or Manhattan, except this is South Florida. With red walls, black ceiling, and photos around the room including Elvis on a motorcycle next to one of Jimi Hendrix, the space stages well for this top-tier blues line-up.

Murphy covered ground from Mississippi to Chicago. Mixing warm bluesy notes with tricky jazz chording, he sang ‘My mojo’s working … Just not on you.’ His playing was smooth, concise and tight for someone with his longevity – and you have to consider he once played through a stroke on stage which, legend has it, he “played through” that show with one-hand. Dare not stop this recording artist.

His craftsmanship flowed from a few notes burning in, to many laid out tastefully into a crescendo, with tight and intricate chording between. It was a true blues man’s feel with a purposeful build; the audience applauded.

Matt “Guitar” Murphy and Albert Castiglia at Satchmo’s

Speaking with the sound engineer, apparently Murphy and Castiglia have crossed paths on stage in the past. With Murphy’s nephew Floyd working the drum kit and Castiglia’s bassist locking in tightly, it sounded as if they played regularly but in essence it was really a ‘pick-up band.’ It would likely be difficult to tell that much from the tight playing.

Albert Castiglia. (Andrew Nathanson / GatorProduction.com)

Castiglia, a South Florida mainstay, laid back for Murphy with the respect due one of the original Blues Brothers. His solid comp allowed Matt Murphy to show why he’s known by the nickname “Guitar.” Generous on stage, Murphy brought Castiglia’s playing forward. The audience appreciated Castiglia’s musicianship; he’s clean yet searing – a superior propulsive attack. One Chicagoan lady in the audience, referring to him during “Down Home Blues” exclaimed, “Boy sure can play!”

During the third set, after Murphy took a seat with family and friends, Castiglia played his favorite Matt “Guitar” Murphy song (really a Memphis Slim song he stated), ‘Mother Earth.’ He relayed the story of how Murphy told him he was playing it wrong so for this show he played it like Murphy would. Castiglia presents rich, vintage-sounding vocals and vicious slide work as well.

Quality sound made for an excellent experience for those in attendance. Murphy apologized to the audience for mistakes whereupon a lady in the audience stated, “There are no mistakes.”

Even to a trained ear there weren’t any obvious ones. When you’ve traveled as much as this ‘Guitar,’ the perception of imperfection – the nature of all art and life – seemed to Murphy there might exist (unperceivable) hairline cracks in the foundation. For those in the audience however, it was a rock solid blues show garnering generous applause throughout.