Outstanding lyrics

I'm always in awe of how these guys remember lyrics, even if they write 'em in the first place. Good story. 

 lophrequa wrote: 
My point is that "Larry The Cable Guy" is a hack who pretends to be a Deep-Southern redneck in order to entertain same. He's from Nebraska, or some shit. Christ.

Anyway... James McMurtry puts on one hell of a live show. Well worth the time, you'll enjoy it greatly. Bring earplugs if you can't stand it loud. He can definitely blow your hair back.

 That_SOB wrote: 
Cool. Someone suggests McMurtry is Reed, and Bill plays a Velvet cover.

 That_SOB wrote: 

That was my first thought... "Is this Lou Reed?" 

And that's a compliment... : )

 Wonder how he got that group to sound so much like the Velvet Underground ? LOU !! YOU IN THERE ???  you can tell me...

 crockydile wrote: 
Yeah, James McMurtry knows how to wring the essence from a place. He doesn't pull any punches either.

this guy...when he was a little kid, i seem to just remember reading that the Merry Pranksters stopped by to say "hi" to his Dad on their infamous trip. He was meeting all of these people! but he probably doesn't remember a lot of it.
Also Allen Ginsberg and Orlovsky stopped by on one of their cross-country expeditions I think, so he was hanging with beatniks and proto-hippies when he was a young-'un. I guess they had some influence on him. He's a good songwriter (I'm just discovering him here on RP.)

I'm torn... I like his studio version with its slightly faster beat, but this live version is richer somehow. McMurtry's voice seems to have mellowed, and he's more comfortable taking his time to get his words understood.  For some reason, I think of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" which deals with a young man's discontent and apathy towards his situation.

Crockydile - I'm so sorry this song is painful for you...

 drictor wrote: 
Ahh yes!  We do miss the old Zephyr here in Salt Lake City.  The place smelled like three day old cigarette smoke and stale beer, but always had great diverse acts, cheap drinks, and good sound.  That, and you could get right up against the stage if you were feeling brave.

Saw more than a few great shows there...

McMurtry ranks as one of the best songwriters working today.

I grew up in Midland, Texas..had some relatives in Levelland. Damn, I relate to this. It hurts.

This album was recorded in my old haunt, the Zephyr in SLC.  Used to hang there regularly when I was youner.  I was actually in town when he recorded this and decided not to go (old age and all), boy do I regret that!

The Zephyr is long gone, which is too bad.  Supposedly that had an awesome sound board, which is why he recorded there.  Coulda, shoulda, woulda...

Seen him several times live here in Pittsburgh.Great shows, Its a shame it always at this tiny bar. He deserves a bigger venue with better sound . Great song writer

 toterola wrote: 
and your point is?

Gotta say, I tend to like the original version better. And, Mr. Keen's version ain't so bad either!

awesome lyricist, great song 

 hansvanderwouden wrote: 
Aww, goddamn!

 davidyoull wrote: 
Yep.  And James as under-rated as his dad is over-.

 nagsheadlocal wrote: 
Says a hell of a lot in a few lines, no?  That's McMurtry's genius.  And genius he is.

Time sure flies when you're having fun
Wasn't it just yesterday you turned twenty-one?
Does it still matter what you might have done
Had you tried?

 Geed wrote: 
Mmm... too much "twang" already some might think. But each to their own!

Wow - what an intro!

I kinda like the chickenfried Zevon reference (below) plus, after reading about him, I like him more...

My favorite song from one of my favorite songwriters -

Mama used to roll her hair
Back before the central air
We'd sit outside and watch the stars at night
She'd tell me to make a wish
I'd wish we both could fly
Don't think she's seen the sky
Since we got the satellite dish

Great tune but I prefer the REK version

 cc_rider wrote: 
Yeah, he's smart enough to fool everyone into thinking he's Southern. Come on, man.

Don't come around here much any more due to the lack of "twang" but tuning in and hearing this tune certainly is a treat. Wild Bill strikes again.

Lou Reed soundalike, early years