Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

James McMurtry On Mountain Stage

James McMurtry.
Brian Blauser
/
Mountain Stage
James McMurtry.

Texas singer, songwriter and guitarist James McMurtry makes his 10th visit to Mountain Stage, recorded live in Charleston, W.Va. Drawing from his family's storytelling tradition — he's the son of novelist Larry McMurtry — he fuses wry, literate observations about the world with the snarl of barroom rock. The result is at times sardonic, subversive and funny, but often vulnerable and always poignant.

Here, McMurtry performs songs from his first album of new material in seven years, Complicated Game. He also tackles a few old favorites, including "Too Long In The Wasteland," a tune he performed when he made his first appearance on Mountain Stage 25 years ago. McMurtry is backed by Tim Holt on lead guitar, accordion and mandolin; Daren Hess on drums; and Cornbread Traylor on bass.

SET LIST

  • "Deaver's Crossing"
  • "Hurricane Party"
  • "Copper Canteen"
  • "No More Buffalo"
  • "Ain't Got A Place"
  • "Too Long In The Wasteland"
  • Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.