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AUSTIN, Texas 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, out August 20, 2021 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 (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. Accordingly, the new collection marks another upward trajectory: The Horses and the Hounds will be McMurtrys debut album on genre-defining Americana record label New West Records (Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell, Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Buddy Miller, dozens more). I first became aware of James McMurtrys formidable songwriting prowess while working at Bug Music Publishing in the 90s, says New West president John Allen. Hes a true talent. All of us at New West are excited at the prospect of championing the next phase of James already successful and respected career. McMurtry perfectly fits a label housing artists who perform real music for real people. After all, No Depression says of the literate songwriters most recent collection, Complicated Game: Lyrically, the album is wise and adventurous, with McMurtry whos not prone to autobiographical tales credibly inhabiting characters from all walks of life. [McMurtry] fuses wry, literate observations about the world with the snarl of barroom rock, National Public Radio says. The result is at times sardonic, subversive and funny, but often vulnerable and always poignant.
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