Customer Reviews

Live in Europe (Bonus Dvd)

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James McMurtry's never been shy with his opinions on politics and society, and playing his songs for a European audience one has to wonder whether his metaphors translate to a more universal sentiment or simply provide a peephole into an American's view of his own country. This 8-song live CD features five titles from 2008's Just Us Kids on which McMurtry cataloged political diseases and social isolation. Two of that album's most scathing pieces, "God Bless America" and "Cheney's Toy" are left out here, which is a shame considering the CD fills only half its space at 42 minutes. The accompanying DVD, taped in Amsterdam, duplicates two titles from the CD, but adds four more including the early "Too Long in the Wasteland" and a cover of Jon Dee Graham's "Laredo," on which Graham himself guests. A lengthy live version of "Choctaw Bingo" gives both McMurtry and legendary keyboard player Ian McLagan a chance to show their instrumental wares. The sound is sharp, and though the songs are played largely as recorded on their studio albums, the band adds a punchy rock dynamic. The rhythm section is potent, the guitar twangy, and McLagan's organ and piano are especially satisfying. McMurtry sings in a limited range, but this gives his live vocals an effective element of speech making. Delivered in a tight-fitting two-panel cardboard slipcase this is more a memento of the tour than a new chapter in McMurtry's career (as was his previous live album, Aught-Three), but it's a solid representation of the current state of his art. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]

Genetics can be a powerful influence on one's life, whether it is environmental, career, or other aspects of our lives. Most often, genetics will have the greater influence. In James McMurtry's case, it would prove to be everything.

His Father, as most already know, is the internationally renowned novelist, Larry McMurtry, who has written so many great books. Books like Lonesome Dove, The Last Picture Show, and Terms of Endearment are some of his most well known and were all made into memorable motion pictures. Why? Because they were all so intriguing in their accurate characterizations of the people of Texas. These portrayals are all so very non-stereotypical. Yet Texans along with New Yorkers are probably the most stereotyped of all Americans.

If you want to see how Texans really are, then read one of Larry McMurtry's novels. If you want to see how New Yorkers really behave. Then go watch a Marty Scorsese flick. Both of these artists are sure to deliver accurate portrayals of their respective fellow citizens because they have the necessary knowledge of both of their environments to bring their character interpretations to life and make them credible.

James McMurty, Larry McMurtry's son, takes this same thought and applies it to his vocation. He writes lyrics for his music as vivid as anything his Father has ever written for his books. If you don't believe me, listen to his "Choctaw Bingo", a signature song of his that possesses characters as authentic as any one of the characters from `The Last Picture Show'. He is absolutely to music what the elder McMurtry is to novels.

I sat on these thoughts for a good two weeks because I wanted to avoid comparisons to his Father, but it proved to be an impossible task. There is just no way it could have been done. Not by me any way. I'm too big of a fan of both of them to write about one without mentioning the other. Then I finally came to the following conclusion; James McMurtry is probably as proud of his Father as his Father is of him.

Speaking of "Choctaw Bingo", the first song on the set, expertly filmed for James McMurtry's latest release, Live in Europe (Lightning Rod Records), and shot by Fabchannel at Paradiso in Amsterdam, is an absolutely amazing jam that runs almost ten minutes. It's ten of the most incredible minutes I've spent witnessing a live performance so far this year. James McMurtry on vocals and guitar, Ronnie Johnson on bass and harmony vocals, Daren Hess on drums, Ian McLagan on keyboards, and Tim Holt, also on guitar, are clicking on all pistons and have the crowd groovin' right along with them. There is not a soul in the house who is sitting down. McMurtry's vocals are perfection and his band compliments every bar, ever word, every stanza of every song. They work as the perfect ensemble. If you remove one piece of this ensemble and you have 80% of a song. They all must be present to make this work and they are.

As good as "Choctaw Bingo" was to start the DVD out, it was nothing in comparison to what was to come. The fifth song to the set is Laredo, and Jon Dee Graham steps on stage to perform his song with McMurtry and band. I could never have prepared myself for what I was about to witness. Graham steps on to the stage and is clearly pissed. Apparently, an Amsterdam music critic had said he wasn't impressed with Mr. Graham's earlier performance. Mr. Graham has a few choice words for the critic who is supposedly in the audience, then starts the most fantastic four minutes and thirty-nine seconds I have experienced in my life. Amazing. If it's true that one can "rock a house", then this is what it would look and sound like.

The production value that went into the DVD is very simple when you look at it on the surface. The thought that entered my brain, however, is if I had never seen James McMurtry live, this is how I would have pictured it in my head. It is constructed perfectly, the editing, impeccable. I received the DVD with the CD so I suspect when it comes out later this month, it will come as a package and is worth every penny the retailers are going to be charging for this historical event.

Texas music has suffered over the last several years and in my opinion has become somewhat homogenized. James McMurtry is what Texas Music is supposed to be. Thank you Mr. McMurtry (and Mr. Graham on "Laredo"), for restoring my faith in what once was one of the many things that made Texans unique; their music.

The CD in this package is equally as good, but the visuals will be left to the imagination of the individual listening to the CD. That's okay though. Put it in the player, close your eyes and just let your mind go. "Bayou Tortue" and "Just Us Kids" lead the way, followed by "Hurricane Party" are all wonderfully performed as you would expect, as are "You'd A' Thought (Leonard Cohen Must Die), "Fraulein O", Ruby and Carlos", "Freeway View", and finally, "Restless" to rap it all up. The CD runs for nearly Forty-two minutes.

Live in Europe CD/DVD package is due for release on October 13th. Be sure to add it to your audio/video library as soon as it comes out. If I were to use stars to rate performances, this would have 15 stars out of 10.

`Rebel' Rod says check it out!

OK - so it's a live album performing tracks from previously released studio albums. And, this will be McMurtry's second live CD in five years. But, what's fun about this release is twofold: 1) the recording here is much better than Live in Aught-Three, which has much more a "large room" feel - a bit echo-y (although short at 8 tracks, the Live In Europe recording is fantastic and features great songs); 2) this is also a DVD package, which features live video footage of 6 tracks from this performance. Good quality video and sound, and it's nice to see a down-to-earth bar-band performance the way they were meant to be.

James McMurty is one of the great forces in the crowded field of Texas singer-songwriters. His literary approach to the song, the great turn of the phrase and vocal presence are perfect for a great live CD. This package contains a CD that does not comprimise itself by trying to max out the CD format. It's not overly long but every minute is essential. His takes of Just Us Kids, Hurricane Party and the fantastic Carlos and Ruby will stay in your head long after your CD player stops spinning. The DVD contains some songs from the CD and some others like Choctaw Bingo which are great (Sorry, James. Ray Wylie Hubbard's version might still be the ultimate~). I would seldom recommend a live disc to someone looking to get into a new artist but I do think that Live in Europe is a great place to start your journey with James McMurtry.

James McMurtry has an eye for detail and a deep abiding love for every day people. The characters in his songs are far from perfect. They're tired and sometimes beaten down by life. They struggle with things beyond their control as well as their own flaws and addictions. They don't always prevail but somehow they manage to keep getting up each day and putting one foot in front of the other. McMurtry's work are stories set to music. He isn't the most talented vocalist in the world but an appealing and engaging one. His guitar work rarely gets mentioned but is muscular and superb and propels his band in concert. The highlights for me this time out are "Ruby and Carlos", "Hurricane Party", "No More Buffalo" and the ever present signature tune "Choctaw Bingo". I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the release features the first ever available dvd footage of James in concert. Hard to believe that this was the first time James ever innvaded Europe.

I have been listening to James McMurty since the 1980s and darn if he doesn't keep getting better with every album. Live In Europe might be an album made just to keep fans anticipating the next studio effort, but it sure is a rousing set. No need to go into any long descriptions of the songs, McMurtry fans already know them well. Suffice to say that although the total running time for both discs is only a little over an hour and a quarter, the songs have been selected possibly to give prospective McMurtry fans an overview of his "many" moods: bleak and angry though often reflective. Those of us who have been listening to him a long time probably have our own mental lists of what should have been included, but overall its a good mix.
My favorites from the audio CD are a sizzling rendition of Bayou Tortue, the plangent You'd A Thought (Leonard Cohen Must Die), and the rather moving Ruby and Carlos. On the DVD, McMurty and his band rip it up with the rousing white trash anthem Choctaw Bingo, a powerful take on You'd A Thought (Leonard Cohen Must Die), an angry, searing We Can't Make It Here, and a hard-driving Too Long In the Wasteland. Also interesting is the band's cover of Jon Dee Graham's Laredo with Graham joining them in its presentation. That Choctaw Bingo is ALWAYS a fun song, especially if the listener knows all of the places referred to in the lyrics.
The set comes housed in a rather flimsy cardboard package with no extras provided, but the price is right. If you already like the music of James McMurtry, you ought to enjoy Live In Europe. If you are new to his music and thinking about starting with this set, take that step and you will hereafter count yourself among his growing legion of fans.

I've always found McMurtry's songwriting talent amazng. I wasn't prepared for his jaw-dropping skills as a guitar player.

I got my copy of this CD as soon as I found out about it. I was hooked from the first tune I ever heard from this amazing troubadour. And I hope the releases continue for a long long time. James tells stories that feel lived in. They feel drenched in realities that we sometimes only recognize for the first time when those songs hit our auditory canals and wake up sensations that are buried deep inside; that make us respond to who we really are and why that matters to us all.
This gifted mind truly deserves way more recognition and accolades then he receives. Listen to his music . . . wake up your minds . . . tell everyone you know to check out this hidden treasure ! !

I had seen some excerpts of the DVD on youtube, but seeing it in its entirety was unbelievable.

James frowns on people recording at his shows. I don't blame him. The price of a ticket doesn't give you the freedom to take all you want from someone.

That point just makes the DVD all the sweeter. The audio CD is well worth the price asked for it, but the CD and DVD together are a heck of a package.

If you've never seen James and his band live, do yourself a favor. If you have, then I'm preaching to the choir.

I'm glad James and the crew delivered the goods to Europe. This is CD pales in comparison to his previous live CD. I feel like this one was 'called in' - a filler until he produces his next Cd of new/original material. I liked having a DVD of the group but thought the balance was off - too much piano. I'm already drooling at the thought of what he'll do on his next CD. He's one of the few bright spots in the musical world. Good protest singers are hard to find these days. He was blatantly overlooked on his last one - Just Us Kids'.