‘I’m thrilled’: Anne Murray debuts 33rd studio album featuring unheard tracks

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Video Vault: Anne Murray interview from 1982

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Anne Murray releasing 33rd album

This has been the year of Anne Murray.

The singer received the lifetime achievement award at the Junos in March, turned 80 in June, and on Friday the Springhill, N.S., native released “Here You Are,” her 33rd studio album – a collection of 11 previously unheard tracks recorded between 1978 and 1996.

“I was shocked when I heard this stuff and wondered how it could have missed the cut,” said Murray in an interview with CTV Atlantic’s Katie Kelly.

The songs, long tucked away in Murray’s archives, were rediscovered thanks to a devoted fan.

Murray said she never expected a brand-new album this late in her career.

“I’m thrilled, actually. I mean, who would have ever thought at this stage that I would have a new album? So, yes, I’m pretty excited about it,” she said.

The project began when Murray donated her archives – including tapes, demos, and master recordings – to the University of Toronto and the University of Calgary. A longtime fan combed through the collections, unearthing more than 40 songs.

“He was a dog on a bone,” said Murray. “I thank him. I’m so grateful to him for hanging in there. And now we have this album.”

Murray brought the rediscovered tracks into the present with help from her family.

Her daughter, singer Dawn Langstroth, added new background vocals, while her nephew Dale Murray recorded guitar parts at his studio in Port Howe, N.S.

They even got Anne back behind the microphone.

“That was really exciting for me, especially being with family, Dale and Dawn. They had to put me on a stool because Dawn is so tall and I’m shrinking,” said Murray.

“We faced each other and used the same microphone… I had to take one ear off because I couldn’t tell who was singing. Her voice is so much like mine now.”

The album includes “Rest Easy (In My Love),” originally considered for Greatest Hits Volume II, and “Bring All Your Heartaches to Me,” featuring Dawn Langstroth and Dale Murray.

Murray also covers Bryan Adams’ “Straight From the Heart,” which she first recorded in the 1980s.

A special song on the album is called “Maybe,” a ballad written by Robbie MacNeill, her first guitar player from Halifax.

“I recorded it in 1978, and it got put aside. It’s one of my favourites from this album,” said Murray.

So how is Murray celebrating album number 33? “I’m going to play golf,” she said.

“Here You Are” is available now.

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