James McMurtry

In James McMurtrys new effort, The Horses and the Hounds, the acclaimed songwriter backs personal narratives with effortless elegance (Canola Fields) and endless energy (If It Dont Bleed). This first collection in seven years, due August 20 on New West Records, spotlights a seasoned tunesmith in peak form as he turns toward reflection (Vaquero) and revelation ( closer Blackberry Winter). Familiar foundations guide the journey. Theres a definite Los Angeles vibe to this record, McMurtry says. The ghost of Warren Zevon seems to be stomping around among the guitar tracks. Dont know how he got in there. He never signed on for work for hire.The Horses and the Hounds is a reunion of sorts. McMurtry recorded the new album with legendary producer Ross Hogarth (Ozzy Osbourne, John Fogerty, Van Halen, Keb Mo) at Jackson Brownes Groovemasters in Santa Monica, California, a world class studio that has housed such legends as Bob Dylan (2012s Tempest) and David Crosby (2016s Lighthouse) as well as Browne himself for Im Alive (1993) and New Found Glory, Coming Home (2006). McMurtry and Hogarth first worked together 30 years ago, when Hogarth was a recording engineer in the employ of John Mellencamp at Mellencamps own Belmont Studios near Bloomington, Indiana. Hogarth recorded McMurtrys first two albums, Too Long in the Wasteland and Candyland, for Columbia Records and later mixed McMurtrys first self-produced album, Saint Mary of the Woods, for Sugar Hill Records. Another veteran of those three releases, guitarist David Grissom (Joe Ely, John Mellencamp, Dixie Chicks), returns with some of his finest work. read more... shankhall.com