Saint Mary of the Woods

Amazon.com
After the more laid-back excursion of Walk Between the Raindrops, James McMurtry returns to the more raucous sound of his John Mellencamp-produced debut, Too Long in the Wasteland, and the follow-up, Candyland. Aided by the electric guitars of Stephen Bruton, David Grissom, and McMurtry himself, Saint Mary of the Woods rocks as much as it "folks." The talent for vividly painted, finely honed observations of rural life and interactive hearts that he inherited from his father (Larry, the novelist) has been augmented here by some diverse musical influences. "Lobo Town" borrows from Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love," while the rhythm of his "Choctaw Bingo" lyrics can trace a direct lineage to Chuck Berry's "Maybellene." McMurtry also covers a Dave Alvin tune ("Dry River") and enlists composing help from bandmates and engineers. Rather than add up to a writer having creative problems, it appears here more like an egoless acceptance of inspiration where he finds it. It works. Saint Mary of the Woods is a fine addition to a first-rate catalog by a consistently excellent artist. --Michael Ross

Saint Mary of the Woods,James McMurtry,Sugarhill [Country],Americana,Pop,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop,Roots Rock,Singer/Songwriter

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Saint Mary of the Woods

Average customer rating: Southern boogie with country angst One hit album.... Folk music for the 21st Century. loved it... A strong return for McMurtry

Saint Mary of the Woods James Mcmurtry Manufacturer: Sugarhill [Country] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Singer Songwriters | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Where'd You Hide the Body Too Long in the Wasteland It Had to Happen Walk Between the Raindrops Candyland ASIN: B00006IGUF Release Date: 2002-09-17

Tracks:

1. Dry River
2. Valley Road
3. Saint Mary Of The Woods
4. Out Here In The Middle
5. Lobo Town
6. Broken Bed
7. Red Dress
8. Gulf Road
9. Gone To The Y
10. Choctaw Bingo

Amazon.com

After the more laid-back excursion of Walk Between the Raindrops, James McMurtry returns to the more raucous sound of his John Mellencamp-produced debut, Too Long in the Wasteland, and the follow-up, Candyland. Aided by the electric guitars of Stephen Bruton, David Grissom, and McMurtry himself, Saint Mary of the Woods rocks as much as it "folks." The talent for vividly painted, finely honed observations of rural life and interactive hearts that he inherited from his father (Larry, the novelist) has been augmented here by some diverse musical influences. "Lobo Town" borrows from Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love," while the rhythm of his "Choctaw Bingo" lyrics can trace a direct lineage to Chuck Berry's "Maybellene." McMurtry also covers a Dave Alvin tune ("Dry River") and enlists composing help from bandmates and engineers. Rather than add up to a writer having creative problems, it appears here more like an egoless acceptance of inspiration where he finds it. It works. Saint Mary of the Woods is a fine addition to a first-rate catalog by a consistently excellent artist. --Michael Ross

Customer Reviews:

Southern boogie with country angst .......2007-05-30

I bought this for the track Choqtaw Bingo,recommended on a show by Stephen King, a great driving boogie with witty lyrics which conjured up a whole subculture. The rest of the album has some great fuzzed up texas boogie which reminds me of ZZ Top and Dr Feelgood, laid back vocals from Mr McMurtry with some nice reflective lyrics,a nice surprise, almost a great album.

One hit album...........2006-04-17

I bought this for Choctaw Bingo, which I thought was incredibe music the first time I heard it on RadioParadise.com, even better when I listened to the lyrics (incredible! -- make crystal meth 'cuz his 'shine don't sell, strap them kids in, put a little bit of vodka in their cherry coke). Unfortunately, the rest of the CD hasn't done much for me (came of to me as kind of standard singer-songwriter fare), so I haven't listened to it much since I got it several months ago. The rest isn't BAD, just not my cup of tea right now, but who knows? I wouldn't write it off as not having the potential of being one of those CD's I pull out one day for the hell of it and I hear something in a new way and it suddenly grows on me.

Folk music for the 21st Century........2006-02-28

I was surprised when I first heard James McMurtry. Oh, yeah, some wealthy, famous author's son trying to prove he has talent, too. Whoopdy-do! And I don't like his daddy's books. But he got my attention right away with his lyrics. This is simply great stuff. "Choctaw Bingo" is the most famous song, and deservedly so. You very rarely hear lyrics about giving the kids some vodka to calm them down for a long drive. Or Uncle Slayton cooking Crystal Meth because the shine don't sell. He likes the money, he doesn't mind the smell.

But Choctaw isn't the whole game. I feel like I know "St. Mary of the Woods." I may even have been married to her at one time. "Out Here In The Middle" is a maudlin song I like, though I hate maudlin songs, in general. McMurtry's back to cooking speed on "Lobo Town." Not blaming it on Uncle Slayton any more.

All in all, a solid album with no bathroom breaks on it.

loved it..........2005-09-29

I first heard him on XM.Loved the song Choctaw Bingo.So I bought the cd.I was not disappointed.I like every song.Definitely worth it.

A strong return for McMurtry.......2005-05-21

For me, this is McMurtry's most consistent cd. "Wasteland" and "Body" are both excellent cds but I felt they had their share of tracks to skip...surrounded by truly brilliant tracks. This is the first McMurtry cd I've bought that you can pop in and let the thing play beginning to end. There's something very honest about McMurtry's music. His guitar work is fantastic and he has such an ability to create these wonderful characters in his songs. A word of warning to those buying this cd - Do not listen to "Out here in the middle" or "Valley road" in the morning...you WILL be singing them all day long. "Choctaw bingo" is a masterpiece - an eight plus minute guitar driven journey into the heart of America. I can't wait for his next studio album.

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Rap Music

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