Candyland

James McMurtry | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sbme Special Mkts.
• ASIN: B0012GN07G
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,043 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars McMurtry's Sophomore Effort is His Weakest, August 25, 2002

By 

Brian D. Rubendall (Oakton, VA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Candyland (Audio CD)

Simply put, James McMurtry is (arguably) the best American folk rocker currently working. He writes great story songs almost effortlessly, with memorable images and clever wordplay. But what really makes him special is that he never lets his lyrical concerns get in the way of his catchy hook-laden songwriting. That said, "Candyland" is perhaps the weakest of his five studio albums (a sixth is on the way in September 2002). It was his sophomore effort and was recorded (like his superior debut album, "Too Long in the Wasteland") under the watchful eye of his musical mentor, John Cougar Mellencamp, using members of Mellencamp's band. That's part of the problem, for McMurtry often sound too much like Mellencamp through much of this album.

Still, there are some first class McMurtry recordings here. The best is "Where's Johnny," that opens the record on a melancholy note with lyrics about a young man whose emotional troubles ruin a promsing future. Also fine are "Don't Waste Away," the rocking "Good Life," and an actual love song of sorts, "Dusty Pages" that closes the album. The rest of the material, however, is not as strong as what you'll find on McMurtry's more recent classic albums "It Had to Happen" and "Where'd You Hide the Body."

Overall, a not bad album from an artist who has produced much better during his career.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Americana must-have, June 24, 2000

By 

Jeff Templon (Heemskerk, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Candyland (Audio CD)

This is one of my favorite albums. Most of the band is Mellencamp's late-80's formation; four years later, two of these guys (drummer Kenny Aronoff and guitarist David Grissom) were two of the most request session musicians on the planet. Sonically this is a terrific album, and McMurtry is a wizard at writing good songs. How could you miss?

To the earlier reviewer who wanted to know who the guitar player was on Storekeeper: that's David Grissom. Try "Live at Liberty Lunch" by Joe Ely if you like Grissom's guitaring.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable., August 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Candyland (Audio CD)

This is the best CD I have ever heard, bar none. It is a true tragedy that James McMurtry is not more popular. Nothing I can say will express how much I love this CD. I know it's no good getting such a one-sided review, so I will say that I was very dissapointed with some of McMurtry's later work, so this is not a fanatic situation. This is just a truly wonderful CD. Please purchase it, you will not be sorry. The imagery, arrangements, and especially the lyrics, are the best I have ever heard. My favorite songs are Johnny and Hands Like Rain (truly sublime) but every song on here deserves credit. If, once you have heard this CD, you are as desperate for more McMurtry as I was, I would say that Too Long In The Wasteland is very nearly as good as Candland. I envy you the experience of listening to James McMurtry's Candyland for the first time.