Shirley Murdock

Shirley Murdock (born May 22, 1957) is an American R&B singer-songwriter, who is best known for her 1986 R&B hit single "As We Lay" and for her vocals on Zapp and Roger's hit single "Computer Love". Her lead vocal special guest appearance with Smooth Jazz artist Ben Tankard, climbed to #1 Gospel and #20 on Billboard Top 200 on WOW Gospel 2006 and is certified Gold. Their collaboration of the Lionel Richie song "Jesus Is Love" is one of the most played songs on Sirius XM Radio gospel channel for eight years since its initial release.

Shirley Murdock
Birth nameShirley Murdock
Born (1957-05-22) May 22, 1957
Toledo, Ohio, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instruments
Years active1986–present
LabelsElektra Records
Dexterity Sounds/EMI Gospel
Tyscot Records
Associated actsRoger
Zapp

Career

Murdock started out singing gospel music in her native Toledo. Singer/musician Roger Troutman hired Murdock as a backing singer for his family's band Zapp, which had several hits on Warner Bros. (and its Reprise Records imprint). Based on this success, Troutman began recording tracks with Murdock and lead singer Sugarfoot of the Ohio Players, among others, at his Dayton-based recording studio, Troutman Sound Labs. Murdock and Troutman's first chart single was a Warner Bros. single issued as Roger (featuring Shirley Murdock), "Girl, Cut It Out", which charted at number 79 R&B in early 1985.

Murdock signed with Elektra Records and released "No More", Written by Shirley Murdock and Gregory Jackson (Cincinnati, Ohio funk keyboardist and member of Zapp), which made it to number 24 R&B in early 1986. Then came her signature hit, "As We Lay", written by Zapp's Larry Troutman and keyboardist Billy Beck (of the Ohio Players). The tender, melancholy ballad made it to the R&B Top Ten in 1986 and peaked at number 23 pop and number 21 on the adult contemporary chart in early 1987. Her debut album went gold, also helped along by the follow-up hits "Go on Without You" and "Be Free." She also released albums in 1988 (A Woman's Point of View) and 1991 (Let There Be Love). In early 2000, Murdock toured in the inspirational/gospel play Be Careful What You Pray For with Cuba Gooding, Sr. and David Peaston.

Murdock released Home, her gospel-music debut album, in 2002 on T.D. Jakes' Dexterity Sounds record label. She made her acting debut in the movie Sweating in the Spirit. Most recently, Murdock has signed with Tyscot Records and released her most recent album in March 2007.[1]

In 2009, Murdock collaborated with Teena Marie on the song "Soldier", from Marie's album Congo Square.[2] She also appeared in the 2009 stage play A Mother's Prayer, with Johnny Gill, Robin Givens, and Jermaine Crawford.

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[3]
US R&B
[3]
US
Gos

[3]
1986 Shirley Murdock!
  • First studio album
  • Release date: February 18, 1986
  • Label: Elektra
44 9
1988 A Woman's Point of View
  • Second studio album
  • Release date: May 31, 1988
  • Label: Elektra
137 19
1991 Let There Be Love!
  • Third studio album
  • Release date: June 17, 1991
  • Label: Elektra
22
2002 Home
  • Fourth studio album
  • Release date: February 26, 2002
  • Label: Chordant
9
2007 Soulfood
  • Fifth studio album
  • Release date: March 20, 2007
  • Label: Tyscot
71 7
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

Year Album details Peak
US
Gos

[3]
2011 Live: The Journey
  • First live album
  • Release date: October 18, 2011
  • Label: Tyscot
24

Compilation albums

Year Album details
2001 The Very Best of Shirley Murdock

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US
[3]
US
R&B

[3]
US
A/C

[3]
US
Dan

[3]
US
Gos

[3]
UK
[5]
1986 "No More" 24 27 Shirley Murdock!
"Truth or Dare" 60
"As We Lay" 23 5 21
1987 "Go on Without You" 5
"Be Free" 86
1988 "Husband" 5 A Woman's Point of View
"Oh What a Feeling"
"Found My Way"
1991 "In Your Eyes" 7 Let There Be Love!
"Stay with Me Tonight" 34
1992 "Let There Be Love!" 89 47
2007 "I Love Me Better Than That" 22 Soulfood
2011 "Dream" 22 Live: The Journey
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Movie career

Movie Year
Sweating in the Spirit 2005
First Cousins (post-production) 2007

References

  1. "GospelFlava News". December 14, 2006.
  2. "Congo Square : Teena Marie". Concord Music Group. Retrieved 2012-04-17.
  3. "US Charts > Shirely Murdock". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
  4. "US Certifications > Shirley Murdock". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
  5. "UK Charts > Shirley Murdock". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
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