Album Review: James McMurtry – Live In Europe
Posted on | October 6, 2009 | 3 Comments
1. James McMurtry, possibly by virtue of his literary heritage, is a songwriter’s songwriter. His songs read like windswept novels with their minutely detailed characters and plotlines. All of this you have heard before, al0ng with endless comparisons to his father and discussions of his attitude and political views. While this may be accurate in describing McMurtry’s music, it hardly does it justice. On his new DVD, Live In Europe, McMurtry makes one thing clear: the man can rock.
2. I feel bad for anyone who hasn’t seen McMurtry at his usual Wednesday night gig at the Continental Club in Austin. Less of a show and more of a party, the Austin community comes to hear the songs but stays to shake it to his raucous three piece band, augmented by sound man Tim Holt on guitar (and on this DVD, Ian McLagan of the Faces on keys). The European translation of this means a little less shaking, but not because of any less energy radiating from McMurtry and his crew. McMurtry’s guitar cracks like a whip on the opener “Bayou Tortoue”, snaking in and out of Ronnie Johnson’s bassline before moving into the gentle nostalgic groove of “Just Us Kids”, the title track of his last record. “Hurricane Party” is a standout, translating the universal loneliness of the narrator over Daren Hess’ rumbling drums. Ian McLagan’s boogie-woogie piano runs are a welcome addition on “Freeway View”, adding a nice warmth to McMurtry’s sound without compromising their trademark harsh rhythmic snap.
3. Live In Aught-Three, the previous live record from the trio, had a better grasp on the breadth of McMurtry’s back catalog, even including a hard-edged take on Townes Van Zandt’s “Rex’s Blues”. This record, kept short because of an upcoming vinyl release, might point more towards where McMurtry is headed, featuring the murky groove he has favored on his last few outings. The DVD, filmed at the Paradiso in Amsterdam (who used to run the dearly departed site FabChannel.com), makes up for the length by including a few extra songs not included on the audio portion, including a rave-up performance of “Laredo” with opener Jon Dee Graham, seething off of a negative review from a local critic. The DVD-only near-standard “Choctaw Bingo” simmers before boiling over into “We Can’t Make It Here Anymore” a song McMurtry hopes by his own admission “he doesn’t have to play much longer”.
4. While watching the DVD at home cannot embody the near-electric energy of seeing James and the band live, it should give new fans a whole lot more to get out and do so. McMurtry proves yet again that just because music is written to literary standards doesn’t mean that it has to be played in a coffee shop.
James McMurtry – Bayou Tortue (live)
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3 Responses to “Album Review: James McMurtry – Live In Europe”
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October 6th, 2009 @ 3:34 pm
I miss hearing McMurtry play live (in person) and was going to buy this album, but after reading the review, I’m opting for the DVD! Thanks for the suggestion. Hubby and I will have to close the den door,clear out the furniture, turn down the lights and crack open some Shiner Bocks for our “concert” in our Wisconsin home…and pretend we’re at The Cactus!
October 6th, 2009 @ 3:49 pm
Yer in luck Julie! The DVD comes with the CD. Got mine last week after a James show and I’m really digging it. Great stuff.
October 6th, 2009 @ 11:50 pm
This is James’ publicist,Cary Baker at Conqueroo. James wanted me to point out that the CD is LP-length. It will also be available shortly as a vinyl LP. Every song is five minutes plus, still a good bit of music. They kept it short because an LP side can’t be much over 20 minutes without losing fidelity due to the angle of the tone arm as it approaches the middle of the disc. Also, the DVD includes material that’s not on the disc.
All told, it’s a good value. And as noted, it rocks.