The Horses and the Hounds

Description

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 fi rst collection in seven years spotlights a seasoned tunesmith in peak form as he turns toward refl ection (Vaquero) and revelation (closer Blackberry Winter). Familiar foundations guide the journey. Theres a defi nite 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. Hogarth recorded McMurtrys fi rst two albums, Too Long in the Wasteland and Candyland and later mixed McMurtrys fi rst self-produced album, Saint Mary of the Woods. Another veteran of those three releases, guitarist David Grissom (Joe Ely, John Mellencamp, Dixie Chicks), returns with some of his fi nest work.