Too Long in the Wasteland

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Editorial reviews

From Amazon.com
Brought to the attention of Columbia Records by a fluke--John Mellencamp was friends with the artist's father, noted author Larry McMurtry--James McMurtry proved himself more than worthy of a record deal, despite such family and industry connections, with his debut album. He backed up his keen sense for lyrical detail with deft, sturdy musicianship, whether picking through delicate numbers such as "Crazy Wind" and "Song for a Deck Hand's Daughter" or delivering anthemic roots rockers such as "Painting by Numbers" and "I'm Not from Here." With an appropriately desolate, deadpan vocal delivery, McMurtry tells tales of desperate small-town characters, painting a vivid picture of an America that lurks far from the bright lights and big cities. --Peter Blackstock

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Customer reviews

review by: ssocialdrummer date: 2008-07-28 rating:
Bit of a marvel
I came to this marvellous troubador via the now well established and trenchantly critical marvel "we can't make it anymore". McMurty has a very deadpan vocal delivery,it reminds a bit of Lou Reed,laconic, with the same intensity lyrically. Given that this is his debut album is also a bit of a marvel,produced by Mellencamp, it's littered with stories of the harshness of life,on a personal rather than wider political level. He has that country twang to his voice and some very fine musicianship to support him, all in the 'alt country' vein.
There is nothing new about singer/songwriters, but like all things in life there is wheat and chaff-he's the sun ripened and sturdiest of wheat.Have you seen the price!


review by: date: 2008-06-04 rating:
Most suprised!
I got hooked on James McMurtry when I heard his "we can't make it any more" epic single a couple of years ago and I've systematically purchased nearly every one of his CDs since.

This one was very different and has a haunting quality. I love the backing vocals and the almost home-made sound to some of the tracks.

"Too Long in the Wasteland" and "Talking at the Texaco" are brilliant examples of his songs as stories of life, drinking and reality.

I can't get enough of this bluesy, whimsical music!

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