Saint Mary of the Woods

Saint Mary of the Woods

by James McMurtry
Saint Mary of the Woods

Saint Mary of the Woods

by James McMurtry

CD(Limited Edition)

$12.99 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
    Choose Expedited Shipping at checkout for delivery by Wednesday, April 3
  • PICK UP IN STORE
    Check Availability at Nearby Stores

Related collections and offers


Overview

The best and worst you can say about James McMurtry's sixth album is that it's not a drastic departure from his previous five. His storytelling is still sharply observed, his straightforward rock still compelling, but what starts out as a certain sonic consistency becomes oppressive over the course of ten tracks. Granted, there are a few new developments: the production is a degree more lush and atmospheric than McMurtry's previous albums, especially on the achingly gorgeous "Dry River," which is nearly cinematic in its sense of place. And for the first time, he's tackled a genuine epic with the rambling family reunion tale "Choctaw Bingo," driven by a chugging guitar riff and Earl Poole Ball's sparkling piano. But he's also dispensed with the loose, danceable rhythms that elevated the best tracks on his last two releases to the status of heartland funk; nothing here, save "Choctaw Bingo," makes you want to shuffle your feet. Some tracks are so melodically stark they dispense with chord changes altogether; "Red Dress" burbles along on a single motif for five minutes, while "Lobo Town's" stiff, near-robotic rhythm aims for faux-metal crunch but winds up bearing an unfortunate resemblance to, of all things, Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love." Lyrically, McMurtry is as tough as ever, tossing out deadpan descriptions of automobile accidents and other tragedies in rhyming couplets. And when he does try something different, as on the knowing, oddly gentle "Gone to the Y," the results are beautiful. Still, the eternal solidness of his songwriting aside, Saint Mary of the Woods is the album on which McMurtry's standard formula finally starts to sound like too much of a good thing. ~ Kenneth Bays

Product Details

Release Date: 09/17/2002
Label: Sugar Hill
UPC: 0015891107127
Rank: 47694

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

Album Credits

Performance Credits

James McMurtry   Primary Artist,Slide Guitar,Vocal Harmony,Guitar Effects,Guitar,Vocals
Ian McLagan   Guest Artist,Organ,Wurlitzer
Stephen Bruton   Guest Artist,Bass,Mandolin,Slide Guitar,Guitar (Baritone),Guitar (Electric)
Randy Garibay, Jr.   Guest Artist,Vocal Harmony
Myra Spector   Vocal Harmony
Paul Pearcy   Drums,Cowbell,Maracas,Percussion,Tambo Drums,Sound Effects
David Grissom   Guitar
Lisa Mednick   Accordion
Ronnie Johnson   Bass,Vocal Harmony,Guitar Effects
Daren Hess   Drums,Shaker,Cymbals,Tambo Drums,Sound Effects
Earl Poole Ball   Piano

Technical Credits

James McMurtry   Composer,Producer
Alan Pogue   Photography
Gary Isaacs   Cover Photo
Sue Meyer   Design
East Side Flash   Engineer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Fred Remmert   Engineer
Ross Hogarth   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Adam Odor   Engineer
Kent Hitchcock   Engineer
Dave Alvin   Composer
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews