It brinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngs back memories as an OTR trucker, We would come out of the plains of nebraska and see the Lights of Cheyenne, or coming off Sherman pass heading east. Lights out west are cool. I'm retired now but kinda miss it
This is actually at least the third James McMurtry reaction from SAD, and by far the mellowest. His touring configurations have ranged from acoustic solo to full electric band. The group here was just a trio. I saw a full band show a couple of months ago, and it was pretty high energy. As I mentioned in a previous reaction, he is the son of novelist and screenwriter Larry McMurtry (Last Picture Show, Terms of Endearment, Lonesome Dove, Brokeback Mountain). He got his musical start in the early to mid 1980s performing original songs in downtown Tucson bars while attending the University of Arizona. His first LP came out in 1989.
I agree with what others have commented here. McMurtry uses simple music to convey his complex characters and stories. There are dozens of truly great songs like this from his long career. And his songs hit you harder after a few listens, and you can process the hints, allusions and deeper meanings he’s giving us. As to his facial expressions when he sings? Clenched teeth, and lookin’ like he’s ready to punch you, or the person next to you! It must take a LOT of concentration to remember the lyrics to a concerts worth of songs like this accurately 😁
The guy is, like Dan said, a storyteller. It's folkish but falls more closely to the country genre. Which is confounding as I kinda like it. He falls in with the other storytellers I like. Dylan, Jim Croce, Al Stewart, John Hiatt, Roy Harper all do the same thing just without the silly cowboy hats and pointy tip boots. The trick is to transport the listener into the story. This fella did that big time.
This gives off a Dylanesque vibe from his early folk era (like "Song to Woody"). Also brings to mind some other great folkies like Dave Van Ronk and Townes Van Zandt. The lyrics and story-telling are excellent. Appreciated a little bit of humor thrown in ("she's got a cowboy problem"). But the overall tone is kinda bleak. Sometimes life be like that though. Thanks for suggesting this Paul. Definitely a change of pace. And thanks for the review SAD.
Like Dan, I'm not much into the "folkies", but I did enjoy this listen more than I was expecting. Perhaps because McMurty is as much a "wordie" as he is a "folkie". Also his countryish deep singing voice is far more pleasing than the nasal monotone yammerings of, say, Dylan.
Probably the wrong place to mention this, but you two may just find this interesting, and of course all on here.....Stanley Kubrick Confession....UA-cam.
It brinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngs back memories as an OTR trucker, We would come out of the plains of nebraska and see the Lights of Cheyenne, or coming off Sherman pass heading east. Lights out west are cool. I'm retired now but kinda miss it
His father, Larry McMurtry, was a prolific writer. He wrote Lonesome Dove.
This is actually at least the third James McMurtry reaction from SAD, and by far the mellowest. His touring configurations have ranged from acoustic solo to full electric band. The group here was just a trio. I saw a full band show a couple of months ago, and it was pretty high energy.
As I mentioned in a previous reaction, he is the son of novelist and screenwriter Larry McMurtry (Last Picture Show, Terms of Endearment, Lonesome Dove, Brokeback Mountain). He got his musical start in the early to mid 1980s performing original songs in downtown Tucson bars while attending the University of Arizona. His first LP came out in 1989.
Thanks for sharing HisboiLRoi!
I agree with what others have commented here. McMurtry uses simple music to convey his complex characters and stories. There are dozens of truly great songs like this from his long career. And his songs hit you harder after a few listens, and you can process the hints, allusions and deeper meanings he’s giving us. As to his facial expressions when he sings? Clenched teeth, and lookin’ like he’s ready to punch you, or the person next to you! It must take a LOT of concentration to remember the lyrics to a concerts worth of songs like this accurately 😁
And I’ll nominate his “Rachael’s Song” as the deeply saddest song ever. 👍
Fireline Road is heartbreaking, and one of his best.
@@RailFanningMama yes! So real it hurts
Great artist, Paul Yoes, although I've not heard this song. I went to school with James.
University of Arizona, or earlier?
@@HisboiLRoi Loudoun Country Day School in Leesburg, VA.
hope your song and reaction brings you some comfort Paul 🙂
The guy is, like Dan said, a storyteller. It's folkish but falls more closely to the country genre. Which is confounding as I kinda like it. He falls in with the other storytellers I like. Dylan, Jim Croce, Al Stewart, John Hiatt, Roy Harper all do the same thing just without the silly cowboy hats and pointy tip boots. The trick is to transport the listener into the story. This fella did that big time.
Thanks for sharing Uncle Chazblitz!
This gives off a Dylanesque vibe from his early folk era (like "Song to Woody"). Also brings to mind some other great folkies like Dave Van Ronk and Townes Van Zandt. The lyrics and story-telling are excellent. Appreciated a little bit of humor thrown in ("she's got a cowboy problem"). But the overall tone is kinda bleak. Sometimes life be like that though. Thanks for suggesting this Paul. Definitely a change of pace. And thanks for the review SAD.
Thanks for sharing Shoutin Chuck!
Like Dan, I'm not much into the "folkies", but I did enjoy this listen more than I was expecting. Perhaps because McMurty is as much a "wordie" as he is a "folkie". Also his countryish deep singing voice is far more pleasing than the nasal monotone yammerings of, say, Dylan.
Probably the wrong place to mention this, but you two may just find this interesting, and of course all on here.....Stanley Kubrick Confession....UA-cam.
stop
This is told from the wife's POV