 James McMurtry His works, which range from atmospheric ballads to no-holds-barred rockers, are populated by world-weary souls often longing for something different, if no better, than what they're now enduring. Perhaps in part because of his powerful reputation as a lyricist, coupled with his stirring vocal style, McMurtry is often not given his due as a guitarist. Though not one to stoop to flash just for the sake of effect, he can rip forth with a flurry of fat-toned notes when the material demands it.
In the next breath, he'll frame a tender composition with poignant lead lines. He tends to travel with half a dozen or so guitars, which offers him a wide palate of tones and tunings from which to choose.
The Heartless Bastards (not to be confused with the Ohio-based Fat Possum recording artists of the same name) are McMurtry's rhythm section of nearly a decade. McMurtry’s Bastards include bassist/harmony vocalist Ronnie Johnson and drummer Daren Hess. The trio’s sets have been honed to Bowie-blade sharpness by their demanding touring schedule and their steady hometown gigs in Austin, Texas. Johnson and Hess are journeymen musicians in their own rights, sharing decades of solid band time between them.
McMurtry's novelist/screenwriter father, Larry, passed his son's demo tape to Indiana rocker John Mellencamp when the two were working together on the film "Falling From Grace." McMurtry had hopes that Mellencamp might record one of his tunes. Instead, Mellencamp ended up producing McMurtry's strong Columbia Records debut, Too Long the Wasteland (1989). Later, McMurtry was asked to play alongside Mellencamp, John Prine, Dwight Yoakam and Joe Ely in a one-off band for the “Falling From Grace” soundtrack, which also produced the single, “Sweet Suzanne.” The Buzzin’ Cousins, as the band was later christened, was nominated in 1992 by the Country Music Asscociation in the vocal event of the year category.
McMurtry made two more albums for Columbia, Candyland (1992) and Where'd You Hide the Body (1995). In 1996 he left Columbia and joined Sugar Hill Records, where he made a trio of albums. The American Indie Award-winning album it had to happen arrived in 1997. Walk Between the Raindrops came in 1998, followed in 2002 by his hardest rocking studio effort to date, St. Mary of the Woods.
When not on the road, James McMurtry and the Heartless Bastards can usually be found playing the Wednesday night/Thursday morning late show at the Continental Club, Austin's historic south side bar. Whether playing a wee-hours gig for the faithful or a heat-of-the-day festival slot for thousands, McMurtry and his band can be relied upon to deliver a powerful, no-nonsense set of roots rock 'n' roll. ~ L.E.Brady ~
Discography
Visit jamesmcmurtry.com
Other version of "We Can't Make It Here Any More" at taosblog.com
Page text sources: intro: J. R. Ransom, main text: L. E. Brady |
