Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Review: McMurtry's quirky characters explain their scars

“The Horses and the Hounds” is James McMurtry’s first album in six years

Via AP news wire
Tuesday 17 August 2021 15:50 BST
Music Review - James McMurtry
Music Review - James McMurtry

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

"The Horses and the Hounds,” James McMurtry (New West Records)

In recent months, James McMurtry test-drove some of this material during twice-a-week livestream performances from his home near Austin Texas occasionally interrupted by digital gremlins or a barking dog.

“The Horses and the Hounds" is McMurtry's first album in six years, and the time taken to develop the new songs shows. These 10 tunes have been woodshedded until they sound both broken in and built to last, which makes it standard stuff from one of music's best storytellers.

The set rocks, thanks partly to stellar electric guitar by David Grissom. He first worked with McMurtry more than 30 years ago, as did producer Ross Hogarth, who oversees handsome, varied arrangements that also feature cello, keyboards and accordion.

McMurtry assumes the voice of quirky characters who share wisdom won and explain their scars while contemplating annoyances great and small.

“Twitter’s on fire, my stocks all tanked, but what’s really getting to me is I keep losing my glasses,” McMurtry complains on “Ft. Walton Wake-Up Call,” an especially droll tune that could be mistaken for Florida Panhandle hip-hop.

Elsewhere McMurtry's quinquagenarian blues lament bad decisions, militarism, lives too short, road tolls and time the revelator. He bites off the words, even when he invites a smile.

“In a way-back corner of a crosstown bus, we were hiding out under my hat, cashing in on a 30-year crush," he sings. "You can't be young and do that.”

That's a lyric built to last.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in