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Strap them kids in, give 'em a little bit of vodka

Al_4_ISU

By Al_4_ISU
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Al_4_ISU

Al_4_ISU 12229

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Since I'm busy resurrecting Shaggy threads, it's time to bring the stone cold brilliance of James McMurtry here.

There have been so many dusty nights in the field that I've just cranked this song, watching the sun go down across the vast, empty expanse in front of me.  Fuck.

Edited by Al_4_ISU
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Lou Loomis

Lou Loomis 707

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Cool memory from some time in 2001, stumbling into Saxon Pub with a date and it's a solid blues jam night. Great vibe but it doesn't matter much. My date's rubbing all up and down my jeans like they're some damn worry beads. We're probably annoying some music purists. Over my shoulder, sitting alone at the tall 4-top table nearest the door is this quiet, almost frail nerdy dude scribbling notes onto a pad. He looks like the kinda guy who wants to tell you about how things were better at the "Arma-dilla" and "original-orginal" Antones, before the Dellionaires starting fucking everything up or maybe how he almost got to make out with Patty Griffin one time. I notice him and then I don't.

Until the singer on stage stops and asks him to come up and play. He shyly, almost begrudgingly walks up there and plugs in. I'm expecting some grooved out Gordon Lightfoot type shit, at best, but even that's not going to spoil this night. I'm prepared to give polite applause.

So, yeah, turns out to be James McMurtry and blows the fucking doors off the place with Choctaw Bingo. Mesmerizing introduction to this singular talent. It was jaw-on-the-floor good and utterly unexpected. He quits after just the one song and shuffles back to his note pad. My date congratulates his brave effort like a soccer mom would a fat 8-yr-old at a gymnastics competition. He's too in-his-own-world to be offended. Cool night. Obviously, big fan ever since.

Edited by Lou Loomis
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Seasick Sailor

Seasick Sailor 3747

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I've been going through all of the streaming performances on Youtube like the one above. They are fantastic. Just McMurtry and his guitars (with the occasional appearance from one of his dogs). The set lists span his entire career. He also plays stuff off the new album. I can't recommend these enough. 

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bschoolprof

bschoolprof 6219

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I don't know if this is the official McMurtry thread, but I'm bumping this for my new favorite song of his.  Pinocchio In Vegas (unreleased on any album I believe).  Two versions, one with good production but censored, and one unedited but on a cellphone. Lyrics are below.  So many great fucking lines, including the killer opening.  The last line kills me.  

Pinocchio’s in Vegas, with his eye on the prize 
He’s a real boy now, his dick grows when he lies 
His face stays frozen like it’s still made of wood 
It displays no emotion as he cleans ‘em out good 
At that back room table, most any Friday night 
He don’t even need the money, he just did it out of spite 

He misses ol’ Geppetto, gone now two years 
The boy is spendin’ real money, and he’s cryin’ real tears 
You’d a thought it’d been a straight and simple untaxed estate 
It was nearly out of probate when it blew up in his face 
There were whispers in the shadows, all around the town 
Heretofore unknown relations, ol’ Geppetto got around 

Who were my grandmother’s friends? 
Used to play bridge every Tuesday at ten 
Who were the neighbors next door? 
When I was still crawlin’ on the floor 

When the claims came to light, Pinocchio was blue 
The lawyers had a field day, just like they always do 
First they tried to fleece ‘em for a rainbow’s worth of gold 
He had to sue Walt Disney over copyright control 
He got less than he wanted, more than they would give 
Both sides were bitter, both sides’ll live 

Who were my grandmother’s friends? 
Used to take me fishin’ every now and then 
Who were the neighbors next door? 
Who all did we lose in the war? 

Snappin’ peas on that front porch step 
Come and take them watermelon rinds 
Toss ‘em over the horse-lot fence 
Go wash up and quit that cryin’ 

Pinocchio is over it, he don’t beat up on himself 
He’s had to learn to be an asshole just like everybody else 
Where the dogs eat the dogs and the cats eat the mice 
You pick a hill to die on, don’t bother actin’ nice 
Cause that don’t serve you well at the end of the day 
They don’t have to come and take it if you give it all away 

Who were my grandmother’s friends? 
Used to play bridge every Tuesday at ten 
Who were the neighbors next door? 
When I was still crawlin’ on the floor 
I say who were my grandmother’s friends? 
Used to take me fishin’ every now and then 
Who were the neighbors next door? 
I can’t call you up and ask you anymore
 

  

Edited by bschoolprof
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