Description
Singer-songwriter James McMurtry operates in the same country/folk/Americana space occupied by such figures as John Hiatt, Robert Earl Keen, and the late great John Prine. Such men have acquired revered reputations within smaller audiences and among critics (and in the case of Prine, true status as a legend). McMurtry himself is younger than the other three mentioned, but is now fifty-nine and with his latest album, The Horses And The Hounds , has confidently demonstrated that he should be regarded as both an elder statesman and the mark to beat within the contemporary scene. While often low-key, the songs here remarkably reveal McMurtry’s quiet mastery of his material.
This is McMurtry’s first album in seven years, recorded at Jackson Brown’s studio in Santa Monica, CA and according to McMurtry has very much a Los Angeles vibe to it even though most of his tales are set in rural environments.
The album marks both a first and some revisited traits. This is his debut for New West Records while on the revisited side producer Ross Hogarth and McMurtry first worked together 30 years ago, along with another veteran of his first three releases, esteemed Texas guitarist David Grissom is back in the fold for this one which also has Texans Charlie Sexton, Red Young, and Bukka Allen aboard, mixed with L.A. based session musicians.
