INNER SANCTUM VIII Monk Of Funk

Me SINGING!!! One of my few pop-type songs. Love the groove. Lyrics purposefully repeated in verse 2. I was trying to get into that space of feeling that somehow lies beyond words ...

THE WAY THAT U MAKE ME FEEL 2003

Having composed in many widely different genres of music over nearly 30 years here is a compilation of perhaps the best compositions from the top 15 genres. This may perhaps illustrate the pretty vast musical diversity of my work. The fact that I can compose in so many different styles has created major difficulties for me over the years. Which is the real authentic Michael Mulroy??? I always say to people when they are looking a bit puzzled. Imagine Elton John Billy Joel Stevie Wonder etc. As soon as you hear one of their tracks you KNOW it is them. But I can't say that but myself. I simply do NOT have a particular signature style. I am what is known in professional songwriting circles as a "GENERALIST" ie someone who writes in a wide variety of styles. It is generally recognised that these types of composers have the hardest time establishing themselves in the industry because it is impossible to pigeon-hole them or for them to create their own brand IDENTITY as it were. This is precisely the predicament I have found myself in. And very unfortunately it has paralysed me over many years. However what I have gradually realised is I need to aim whichever song at whichever specific market. Horses for courses. I also recognise that all the while I am composing I am building up my portfolio of music so that IF ... doors ever open for me (after all it only takes ONE song to be recognised!!!) then the floodgates could open!! I might yet win that Oscar!! 

AS GOOD AS IT GETS 2009

EMMANUEL 2000

SING 4 JOY Ps 95 (James Bond)

Ahhh ... Songs ... The Voice ... How I wished to have a true performing voice like Tom Jones. If I had my musical career would have followed a very different course. It took me I would say nearly 20 YEARS to come to terms with my voice. And accept it for what it is. And curiously enough as it has turned out I do genuinely LOVE my voice now!! After all these years. I would describe it as very PURE in tone. I have no natural vibrato. It is a very GENTLE voice. I sing best quietly rather than blasting it out. Thus my voice is perfectly suited to backing harmonies. My voice BLENDS very well with other voices. So ... It is what it is ... Soothing and healing. Which actually I love!! It's perfect for what I mostly want to achieve. It's an ethereal choirboy type voice. It has been likened to Dave Gilmour's voice (Pink Floyd) Brian Wilson (Beach Boys) etc. When you look around there are actually quite a few singers who have voices similar to mine. Anyway enough of the voice .... the SONGS ... The best ones have been inspired by people I know or situations they have found themselves in. Usually the lyrics are quite deep. I am not ashamed of that! If I ever do a proper album of my songs (or someone else does) I would call the album "SONGS OF SEARCHING". I think that sums up the general feel of the lyrics and mood of the songs perfectly.

DON'T BREAK THE SPELL 2009

GENTLE BREEZE 2007

2 MUCH TALKIN 2008

JAZZ GUITAR 2008

A VAST CREATIVE OUTPOURING AFTER RETURNING FROM A 3 MONTH SABBATICAL IN LOS ANGELES.  WORKED MORE OR LESS 8 HOURS A DAY FOR 3 MONTHS. INCREDIBLE. YOU CAN SEE HERE MULTIPLE VERSIONS OF TRACKS. THIS IS HO I BUILD THEM UP LAYER UPON LAYER.  G = GUITAR. EP = ELECTRIC PIANO. BR = BRASS. STR = STRINGS. EACH LAYER WAS TRANSFERRED TO COMPUTER AND LABELLED. 64 SEPARATE LAYERS OF TRACKS HERE. YOU CAN NOW SEE HOW I BUILD UP EACH TRACK TIL IT REACHES ITS FINISHED FORM.

ROUND THE WORLD 2000

IN THE FAST LANE 2008

GROOVE 2 2008

NIGHT ON THE TOWN

FUNKIN GOOD  2010

FORGIVE AND FORGET  2008

THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE FINAL 2009

EROS BLUES 2009

SEE YOU IN FLORENCE  2008

2 GOOD 2 B TRUE 2009

DO NOT BE AFRAID 1996

THE IMMACULATE FUNK 2008

BIOGRAPHY
Born: And live in Darlington Co Durham. Aged 57.   

Occupation:
Classically Trained Professional Pianist; 
Piano Teacher; Composer; Songwriter
 
Educational History:
Distinctions for all grades
‘A’ for O Level Music ‘A’ for A Level Music
Degree in Music at University of Liverpool 1985-89.
PGCE Liverpool 1991
Taught RE and Music in Liverpool for 5 years (1991-1995)
Played at the Albert Hall and on the BBC a few times.

Medical History:
Aged 2 Knocked down by an old lady in a Mini... (Car not skirt! Haha) 
Cancer at 5. Right leg amputated at 8. Cancer again at 9 Chemotherapy for 3 years until 12. Fine ever since...  (VERY lucky!!)
(Can't drink too much alcohol because I'm legless as it is! Haha)
Awarded a special Bravery Award by the Scouts received from Princess Margaret at Windsor Castle in 1976 and I was a finalist in Barnados Champion Child 1983. 

Contemporary Pianist:
   As you can see I have built up an extensive Repertoire over the 35 years I have played the Piano (played mostly from memory!) My desire at all times is to fill wherever I am playing with “Beautiful Sound”. For me “Melody Is King”. And to do everything I can to enhance the enjoyment of those of us sharing this evening of our lives together. Hence my great desire to play your favourite songs if at all possible!  I express my philosophy of piano playing in this way …..

“Every Song Has A Soul…. And In Order To Make The Song SING …You Have To Enter Into The Soul Of The Song”