James McMurtry
Candyland (Columbia) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR)
Word is that the release of James McMurtry`s follow-up to his critically acclaimed 1989 debut, ”Too Long in the Wasteland,” was delayed several times. But if there were problems in the making of this album produced by Mike Wanchic of John Mellencamp`s band and featuring most of his bandmates, it doesn`t seem to show. The son of novelist Larry McMurtry, James has inherited his father`s eye for capturing the essence of his characters. ”Where`s Johnny” is a character study of a high school hero turned recluse, whose reply to what turned him that way is ”just life.” ”Safe Side” is a musical vignette told through the eyes of an illegal immigrant crossing the Rio Grande, while McMurtry assumes the persona of an embittered old man in ”Store Keeper.” His deadpan vocal delivery wears a bit thin, but ”Candyland`s”
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songs prove the hype about McMurtry was justified.
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