Having grown up in the sixties, I have a very soft spot in my heart for the singer songwriters who still manage to take a stab at social issues and do it with both talent and passion. There are still plenty such musicians around, but too few that seem to reach anything like serious penetration of popular music. James McMurty is one such performer who manages to reach deep into his soul and pull out songs that seem to absolutely leave a trail of West Texas dust behind them. His distinctive voice and right-to-the-heart lyrics have won him serious musical acclaim, yet there are still so many folks who have not yet had the privilege of listening to him.
His 1989 album - Too Long in the Wasteland - had some real gems - like this one that seems to sum up our gypsy ways that see us moving from place to place -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JOwHt7uOzA&feature=related
In 1992 he followed up with an album titled Candyland that continued that gruff and gritty tale of life just a bit under our comfort zone. Here's a tune about a trip across the border from Eagle Pass Texas to the town of Piedras Negras ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZRdVv8CJSc
After his two initial albums, which were produced by John Mellancamp who met McMurtry while working on a film written by Larry M's father novelist James (Terms of Endearment, The Last Picture Show, Lonesome Dove, etc), he continued to generate considerable critical praise while staying just below the radar. In 2006 his album Childish Things received song and album of the year at the Americana Music Awards. From that album came this little zinger: the song of the year that year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTW0y6kazWM Much like many of the songs from the sixties and seventies, McMurty makes you a bit uncomfortable while he asks us "what, exactly, is going on?".
Lots of good tunes and good musicians. Lyrics that will make you ponder things and make you think.
Check out James McMurtry.
