James McMurtry Thread

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cortez the killer
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by cortez the killer »

Clams wrote:
Fri Aug 20, 2021 5:09 pm
cortez the killer wrote:
Fri Aug 20, 2021 3:02 pm
"Canola Fields" is an immediate classic. Top-shelf McMurtry song.

Really digging The Horses and the Hounds after a handful of release-day listens.
Always nice when the old Cortez drops in for a visit!
The shop's always expanding. Don't throw away the old ones, but if you don't run you rust. Ain't that the case?
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cortez the killer
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by cortez the killer »

Top Ten McMurtry:

1. Choctaw Bingo
2. Rachel's Song
3. Hurricane Party
4. Too Long in the Wasteland
5. Bayou Tortous
6. Canola Fields
7. Where'd You Hide the Body?
8. Levelland
9. Jaws of Life
10. Copper Canteen
You are entitled to your opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts.
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Mundane Mayhem
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by Mundane Mayhem »

Iowan wrote:
Fri Aug 20, 2021 4:01 pm
I've worn out "Canola Fields" and "If It Don't Bleed" since their early releases. As I said upthread, as good as anything he's ever done.

"Decent Man", "The Horses & The Hounds", and "Blackberry Winter" have all floored me. I really like "Jackie", "Vaquero", and "Operation Never Mind". "Ft. Walton Wake-Up Call" is fine, and "What's the Matter" doesn't do much for me.

Looking forward to learning every line over the next few months. This will get a lot of play in the grain cart.
Swap “Jackie” for the title track and we’re pretty much on the same page.

I’m a sucker for McMurtry in 6/8 time, what can I say?
All it takes is one wicked heart, a pile of money, and a chain of folks just doing their jobs

Iowan
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by Iowan »

cortez the killer wrote:
Sat Aug 21, 2021 3:44 pm
Top Ten McMurtry:

1. Choctaw Bingo
2. Rachel's Song
3. Hurricane Party
4. Too Long in the Wasteland
5. Bayou Tortous
6. Canola Fields
7. Where'd You Hide the Body?
8. Levelland
9. Jaws of Life
10. Copper Canteen
Levelland
Copper Canteen
Ruby & Carlos
Choctaw Bingo
Canola Fields
Lights of Cheyenne
Out Here In the Middle
Rachel's Song
South Dakota
Just Us Kids

Zip City
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by Zip City »

Significant lack of Fireline Road on these lists
And I knew when I woke up Rock N Roll would be here forever

Iowan
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Location: Oneota watershed

Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by Iowan »

Zip City wrote:
Sat Aug 21, 2021 8:02 pm
Significant lack of Fireline Road on these lists
Some of his best lyrics, but the melody isn’t quite enough to make my Top 10.

jr29
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by jr29 »

I'm always surprised that Song for a Deckhands Daughter isn't more of a favorite.

It has perhaps my favorite line from any of his songs....

"Came home at Christmas
Wouldn't say where he'd been
With no presents for the children
Only stories for the men"

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cortez the killer
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by cortez the killer »

Zip City wrote:
Sat Aug 21, 2021 8:02 pm
Significant lack of Fireline Road on these lists
Significant lack of a list.
You are entitled to your opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts.
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cortez the killer
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by cortez the killer »

You are entitled to your opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts.
- DPM

Mundane Mayhem
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by Mundane Mayhem »

Loved the “Ruby and Carlos” story. Getting hung up on a continuity error related to a setting that is neither explicitly stated nor all that strongly implied. Now THAT is commitment to craft.
All it takes is one wicked heart, a pile of money, and a chain of folks just doing their jobs

Iowan
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by Iowan »

I always envisioned “Ruby & Carlos” in that barren emptiness west of Casper, Wyoming. So literally halfway between where McMurtry intended to set it and where it finally ended up.

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cortez the killer
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by cortez the killer »

You are entitled to your opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts.
- DPM

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cortez the killer
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by cortez the killer »

Mundane Mayhem wrote:
Sat Aug 21, 2021 6:50 pm
Iowan wrote:
Fri Aug 20, 2021 4:01 pm
I've worn out "Canola Fields" and "If It Don't Bleed" since their early releases. As I said upthread, as good as anything he's ever done.

"Decent Man", "The Horses & The Hounds", and "Blackberry Winter" have all floored me. I really like "Jackie", "Vaquero", and "Operation Never Mind". "Ft. Walton Wake-Up Call" is fine, and "What's the Matter" doesn't do much for me.

Looking forward to learning every line over the next few months. This will get a lot of play in the grain cart.
Swap “Jackie” for the title track and we’re pretty much on the same page.

I’m a sucker for McMurtry in 6/8 time, what can I say?
Great song. The first several spins, I couldn't make out what he sang in the chorus - "I just got two rules, if my conscience be known. Don't lie to me, don't _____________." Once the vinyl arrived, I was able to read the lyrics and realize the last part was "bring me nothing home." Seemed like an odd line, til I had my "a-ha!" moment last night. When you continue the chorus with "Faithful's a nice word in Sunday school class. Life's just too crazy for that." you realize the "don't bring me nothing home" is referencing a venereal disease.

Anyway, great song, great album, blah, blah, blah...
You are entitled to your opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts.
- DPM

Mundane Mayhem
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by Mundane Mayhem »

cortez the killer wrote:
Sun Sep 05, 2021 8:38 am
Mundane Mayhem wrote:
Sat Aug 21, 2021 6:50 pm
Iowan wrote:
Fri Aug 20, 2021 4:01 pm
I've worn out "Canola Fields" and "If It Don't Bleed" since their early releases. As I said upthread, as good as anything he's ever done.

"Decent Man", "The Horses & The Hounds", and "Blackberry Winter" have all floored me. I really like "Jackie", "Vaquero", and "Operation Never Mind". "Ft. Walton Wake-Up Call" is fine, and "What's the Matter" doesn't do much for me.

Looking forward to learning every line over the next few months. This will get a lot of play in the grain cart.
Swap “Jackie” for the title track and we’re pretty much on the same page.

I’m a sucker for McMurtry in 6/8 time, what can I say?
Great song. The first several spins, I couldn't make out what he sang in the chorus - "I just got two rules, if my conscience be known. Don't lie to me, don't _____________." Once the vinyl arrived, I was able to read the lyrics and realize the last part was "bring me nothing home." Seemed like an odd line, til I had my "a-ha!" moment last night. When you continue the chorus with "Faithful's a nice word in Sunday school class. Life's just too crazy for that." you realize the "don't bring me nothing home" is referencing a venereal disease.

Anyway, great song, great album, blah, blah, blah...
There are quite a few similarities between the characters of Jackie and Pauline Hawkins, it seems to me.
All it takes is one wicked heart, a pile of money, and a chain of folks just doing their jobs

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cortez the killer
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by cortez the killer »

You are entitled to your opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts.
- DPM

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brettac1
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by brettac1 »

Amazing
Do you ever get tired of singin' songs
Like all your pain is just another fuckin' sing along?

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pearlbeer
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Re: James McMurtry Thread

Post by pearlbeer »

Love each other, Motherfuckers!

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