Customer Reviews

Walk Between the Raindrops

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After the twin classics "Where'd You Hide the Body," and "It Had to Happen," (his two best albums), his fifth album is a bit of a letdown. In fact, the best song, "Rex's Blues," is a cover of a old Townes Van Zant tune. Songs like "I Only Want to Talk to You," and "Every Little Bit Counts," are good, but only hint at the lyrical power of which McMurtry is capable. If you are looking to introduce yourself to his music, start with the previous two albums I mentioned and hear this fine artist at his best.

This is one excellent album. McMurtry's lyrics show us a number of different takes on life, some funny, some sad. You will relate to some or all of them. If you've ever had a knock-down drag-out with a significant other, then the lines: "tire marks on the pavement where you spun out of the drive, hound dog in the corner looking glad to be alive" will certainly ring true.

Social commentaries "Tired of Walking" and "Racing to the Red Light" also will hit a nerve with you. And, to me, "Soda & Salt" and "Airline Agent" are hilarious.

So, McMurtry can write some lyrics. He backs them up with great music. I don't know bats about music, but like the Supreme Court I know it when I see it. Two things:

1. I painted the entire inside of my house to this CD and two others of his (Wasteland, Where'd you Hide the Body) - you really can put this one and the others on and just leave them on.

2. Friends of mine come over and I have this over the outdoor speakers. Next thing I know I'm having to order anywhere from one to all five of McMurtry's CD's for them. I'm doing it again tonight. That should tell you something. I don't know if we can get him to come play a town of 600 but it would be a big turnout.

Something about this CD just captivates me. I heard it playing in a music store the day it came out. The volume was cranked up loud, and I got sucked in to the frustration and resolution of "Every Little Bit Counts." I've been a fan of McMurtry's for several years, but this is my favorite album of his. Check out the title track, "Soda and Salt," for a glimpse into the teenage mind. Listen to the longing in "I Only Want to Talk to You." You won't be disappointed.

James McMurtry has slowly become my favorite artist these days. Each one of his CD's offer a unique but familiar quality that any fan of lyrically driven music will appreciate. This latest effort is no exception. Quite a departure from past albumns, McMurtry shows yet another aspect to his already ifluential lyrical arsenal with Walk Between the Raindrops. Finally, quality songwriting and musical integrity for my 20 something generation. See you when you come to town James!!!

No, I wouldn't call this his best work. I like 'Where's You Hide The Body', 'It Had To Happen' and 'St. Mary' best. However, McMurtry is one of those artists that you buy all their works. There are no bad songs on any of his CDs. He is a five star act. He has no lapses...no filler songs...every song has a story.

The direction of the indie road seems to have changed. Once an artist recorded for an independent label to get the attention of the big ones and jump in the big wagon. Mcmurtry has done the opposite way coming from Columbia to Sugar Hill. He was probably not commercial enough and felt the pressure of being asked to make a more commercial records.

McMurtry is really very far away from any mainstream. He is a rocker, but mostly an acoustic one, he is not really your typical singer-songwriter but he writes all his songs. He could have made it big in the sixties, but we are in the nineties.

Walk Between The Lines is McMurtry's second cd for Sugar Hill, after three CD's for Columbia. It is clear that he is doing here what he thinks is right. His voice reminds me of Lou Reed, his music very much the American rock band, from Little Feat to R.E.M.. His lyrics are highly literate and memorable:

"He had some line but he never used them

She didn't need much talkin' too
He thought he'd died and gone to Houston
By the time the dawn burned off the dew"
(Fast As I Can)

The production is By Lloyd Maines, and very different from the work he has done with the group Son Volt. I was expecting to hear his Pedal Steel but the booklet explains that he plays it through a device that makes it sound like a special guitar. The playing is mostly done by 4-5 players giving the feeling of a rock group.This cd is surely not a folk record, more a rock album with some hints of folk. If you like Little Feat, Allman Brothers Band, late Eagles, R.E.M., you'll probably like this cd.

What can I say that hasn't already been said? This latest from McMurtry is, if possible, BETTER than his Where'd You Hide the Body and Lost in the Wasteland, both of which I thought could never be bested! Everything that he traditionally does well, he does BRILLIANTLY on this one. I especially adore the title track, Every Little Bit Counts, Fast As I Can, and Comfortable.

I really enjoy McMurtry's rootsy style. Thanks go to WNCS 104.7 FM The Point in Vermont for turning me on to him.

Intelligent, emotional, quriky. I agree with previous reviews: "Why isn't his music onthe radio 24/7?"

I was lucky to go to high school in Virginia with James. One day in 1989 I turned on the radio and heard "Too Long in the Wasteland". From that point on I have gotten every one of his albums. "Walk Between The Raindrops" is another classic collection of well-crafted songs. Why isn't he on the radio all the time!?!