Jame McMurtry is to release The Horses and the Hounds on August 20 via New West Records (read our album review here), his first for the label and his first collection in seven years. In the accompanying press, there are hints of strong influences…”There’s a definite Los Angeles vibe to this record,” McMurtry says. “The ghost of Warren Zevon seems to be stomping around among the guitar tracks. Don’t know how he got in there. He never signed on for work for hire.”
The album is described as a reunion of sorts which finds McMurtry working again with legendary producer Ross Hogarth (Ozzy Osbourne, John Fogerty, Van Halen, Keb’ Mo’) at Jackson Browne’s Groovemaster’s in Santa Monica, California. They previously worked together 30 years ago, when Hogarth was a recording engineer in the employ of John Mellencamp at Mellencamp’s own Belmont Studios near Bloomington, Indiana. Hogarth recorded McMurtry’s first two albums, Too Long in the Wasteland and Candyland, for Columbia Records and later mixed McMurtry’s 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.
New West president John Allen is clearly excited at the prospect of McMurtry joining the fold in a roster that includes Richard Thompson, Steve Earl, The Secret Sisters, John Hiatt and the North Mississippi Allstars to name just a few.
“I first became aware of James McMurtry’s formidable songwriting prowess while working at Bug Music Publishing in the ’90s,” says Allen. “He’s 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.”
James McMurtry may be the truest, fiercest songwriter of his generation” ‑—Stephen King
Pre-Order / Stream: http://newwst.com/horsesandhoundsWE