James Mcmurtry - Saint Mary of the Woods
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Music CD Cover
Artist: James McmurtryEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2002-09-17
Music Label: Sugarhill [Country]
Soundtracks:
- Dry River
- Valley Road
- Saint Mary Of The Woods
- Out Here In The Middle
- Lobo Town
- Broken Bed
- Red Dress
- Gulf Road
- Gone To The Y
- Choctaw Bingo
Free Music Notes for Saint Mary of the Woods
Free Music Review: Saint Mary of the Woods
Hit: 4 Stars
I wonder if it ever bothers James McMurtry that he can't sing without sounding like somebody reading out of the Old Testament.
On his sixth album, McMurtry maintains his less-than-subtle condemnation of American complacency and rural smugness. Though the opening track, "Dry River," refers to writer Dave Alvin's native Southern California, the album is clearly rooted in the Texas and Virginia where McMurtry's roots live to this day. And everything in his world, from nature to families to whole communities, is broken on some level.
Heavy-rotation singles like "Out Here in the Middle" and the title cut give a good impression of what this album actually sounds like. While individual tracks play with sound, like the rapid shuffle of "Choctaw Bingo" or the stiff wind underlying "Lobo Town," there are no unpleasant surprises on this disc. The tracks are varied enough to keep you from getting bored, but there are no unexpected lame tracks.
Some songs, like "Gulf Road" and "Valley Road," aren't as strong as the disc as a whole. Maybe it's something to do with road songs, I don't know. But even these less powerful tracks are still worth listening to: James McMurtry's misfires are still far better than the pelf you get from the greatest hits of corporate country and pop rock.
Whether for a first-time McMurtry listener or somebody long established in his sound, this is an album worth getting. Though not as political as his next studio album, Childish Things, McMurtry once again lets no sinner go unnamed, nor any crime go unpunished. This is real full-tilt rural rock and indy country for a generation that doesn't want to buy what the white guys in ties are selling.
Saint Mary of the Woods Poster
After the more laid-back excursion of Walk Between the Raindrops, James McMurtry returns to the more raucous sound of his John Mellencamp-produced debut, Too Long in the Wasteland, and the follow-up, Candyland. Aided by the electric guitars of Stephen Bruton, David Grissom, and McMurtry himself, Saint Mary of the Woods rocks as much as it "folks." The talent for vividly painted, finely honed observations of rural life and interactive hearts that he inherited from his father (Larry, the novelist) has been augmented here by some diverse musical influences. "Lobo Town" borrows from Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love," while the rhythm of his "Choctaw Bingo" lyrics can trace a direct lineage to Chuck Berry's "Maybellene." McMurtry also covers a Dave Alvin tune ("Dry River") and enlists composing help from bandmates and engineers. Rather than add up to a writer having creative problems, it appears here more like an egoless acceptance of inspiration where he finds it. It works. Saint Mary of the Woods is a fine addition to a first-rate catalog by a consistently excellent artist. --Michael RossFolk Music CDs
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