James McMurtry
Candyland

Son of an artist, his father is the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Larry, James McMurtry is a highly skilled songwriter of Texan origin who is too often overlooked and, at least here, little known. Yet, he has many reasons to be appreciated and respected, starting, for example, with this notable album titled "Candyland" released back in 1992.

James McMurtry debuted a few years earlier with the excellent "Too Long In The Wasteland," an album produced by John Mellencamp, his great admirer, which has the merit of having a sound very similar to the records of the former Cougar. A raw yet sophisticated album that delivers gems like "Crazy Wind" and "Terry." This first recording effort had the sole result of bringing the attention of the important critics to this musician, convinced and hopeful to have discovered a new songwriter capable of following in the footsteps of various Willie Nile and Steve Earle. Critics did not hesitate to praise him when the following brilliant "Candyland" reached their hands.

Excellently produced by Mike Wanchic with the supervision of Mellencamp himself, "Candyland" brilliantly and with more vigor repeats the same formula of the debut album so much so as to seem, at times, like a Little Bastard record. As with the very capable "Too Long In the Wasteland," James McMurtry used Mellencamp's band during recording, which provided, thanks to its great inspiration and skill, moments of great music. McMurtry also refined his writing and offered us a series of tracks that speak of uncertainty, false illusions, and growth that do not pale at all when compared to those of the Indiana artist. The opening "Where's Johnny" is already a statement of intent. The calm, dusty narrative voice of James, Kenny Aronoff's drums, and David Grissom's powerful guitar, set the coordinates of a work full of pride, where nothing is superfluous and the focus is on the quality of the music. "Vague Directions" with Syd Straw's backing vocals, "Good Life" and "Storekeeper" are direct, no frills, and desert rock songs, while the title track is yet another showcase for Grissom's fiery six-string. It's impossible not to love "Safe Side", a mature, intriguing, mysterious, and contagious track also thanks to its partly Spanish-written lyrics and the concluding "Dusty Pages", a beautiful, simple acoustic farewell.

Alongside these tracks, already very worthwhile, it's right to highlight the true peaks of the album. James McMurtry can be proud of songs like the splendid "Hands Like Rain", ennobled by a killer chorus missing only Mellencamp's voice, "Don't Waste Away", a sweet ballad further enhanced by the fiddle of the talented and beautiful Lisa Germano, and "Save Yourself", a spectacular rock gallop that is very engaging thanks to its determined and guitar-driven pace.

"Candyland" is an album that should be rediscovered and that certainly would have deserved more glory. Despite this, it is an important step that allowed James McMurtry to become known outside the United States and to continue his career with dignity. A fairly stable career that, amidst ups and downs, continues to this day and that certainly would have deserved more satisfactions given that McMurtry has never lacked winning cards.