"Rachel's Song" is THE perfect song by a truly genius song poet. Spare, direct, observant, getting across true realities about human 'suffering' in its literal meaning of carrying underneath life's problems the heavy weight of life's burdens. Four stanzas give us Rachel's story with a powerful economy that is like William Carlos Williams, William Faulkner, Larry McMurtry, Russell Banks. The young boy is at its essential core but has no voice. Rachel and the absent father create for him what the parents in Truffaut's " "Four Hundred Blows" create for Antoine Daniel. Anyone who has any childhood feeling left, can feel what is in the boy's heart and stomach and developing mind as rachel 'sings' her own defiant song. The song begins with an eastbound snow-dusted Chesapeake and Ohio coal train and shadows pulling the curtain of the night down along the mountain slopes and ends with those ephemeral snowflakes dancing each one briefly in the light outside the window. McMurtry's genius gives us the snowflakes peeking in at this mother and child family unit briefly hovering and falling on past. For the boy this naturally beautiful image is what? Like much great literature, McMurtry opens us up to feeling for the mother and the boy. And the song leaves us there forever after. I am grateful that he played it at the Bugle Boy in LaGrange two nights ago (October 27). It was the first time I have ever heard McMurtry play when he was not in 'liquor sales' as he puts it. That is, without people chattering, bottles and glasses clinging and clunking.His guitar work just gets better and better and his ability to "get the song across," as Bob Dylan puts it, and "not himself" is now refined to perfection, too. To hear McMurty perform is one of life's great blessings.
I spent most of my Wednesday’s at the Continental Club where James had his residency. Gave me plenty of time to decide that he’s the best songwriter alive
Outstanding; I can't believe that music is coming out of one man and a guitar! I've just been discovering James McMurtry and he keeps amazing me with his acoustic, live, and studio tracks.
Genius Great song, playing and his usual brilliance of saying a lot, with limited words but much wisdom, clever phrasing and depth. James should be HUGE and listening to his stuff a lot these days Fantastic
Was making a mix of my favorite songs by James when I came across this and it blew me away. Definitely rethinking my mix now. What an incredible story teller.
I would agree with Mr. King. And as an aside, I'm going to guess that Stephen King's choice 10 years ago would have been Mr. Warren Zevon. They were good friends and with some google searching you can find some of what King said about Zevon. Similar stuff. So I guess what I'm getting at is folks should give Zevon a listen if they haven't before. My favorite singer/songwriter of all-time.
Someone else on the comments board compared James to Dylan. I'd put James in that rarefied class myself, with one caveat: James is a lot more serious, and he's much more consistent. Just my 2 cents worth.
I wrecked a Road Runner - wouldn't have been DWI -it was just wide open- died in battle though doing what it was made to do just thank God noone was with me and no other casualties other than the car
@eyesoftheworld0, Dylan's earlier work will make him immortal. But I just don't think his stuff in the last 20 years has been even a shadow of the monumental work we came to expect from Mr. Dylan. I listen to "Freewheelin", "Blond on Blond", "John Wesley Harding", "Blood on the Tracks", etc. and I can't help but think: WTF happened?
@toterola451 Christ, you're missing it, man. Listen to Time Out of Mind or Love and Theft, give them a chance and you'll see. I think WTF happened is that Dylan passed YOU by.
THIS HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE BEST DAMN SONGS IVE EVER HEARD
ANY UPDATES ON NEW GOOD MUSIC?
Almost Every McMurtry song is the best damn song you’ve ever herd.
😸
@@ryancarmona4587 Have you herd horses and the hounds- McMurtry?
Great album. It’s his latest. 🤟
"Rachel's Song" is THE perfect song by a truly genius song poet. Spare, direct, observant, getting across true realities about human 'suffering' in its literal meaning of carrying underneath life's problems the heavy weight of life's burdens. Four stanzas give us Rachel's story with a powerful economy that is like William Carlos Williams, William Faulkner, Larry McMurtry, Russell Banks. The young boy is at its essential core but has no voice. Rachel and the absent father create for him what the parents in Truffaut's " "Four Hundred Blows" create for Antoine Daniel. Anyone who has any childhood feeling left, can feel what is in the boy's heart and stomach and developing mind as rachel 'sings' her own defiant song.
The song begins with an eastbound snow-dusted Chesapeake and Ohio coal train and shadows pulling the curtain of the night down along the mountain slopes and ends with those ephemeral snowflakes dancing each one briefly in the light outside the window. McMurtry's genius gives us the snowflakes peeking in at this mother and child family unit briefly hovering and falling on past. For the boy this naturally beautiful image is what? Like much great literature, McMurtry opens us up to feeling for the mother and the boy. And the song leaves us there forever after.
I am grateful that he played it at the Bugle Boy in LaGrange two nights ago (October 27). It was the first time I have ever heard McMurtry play when he was not in 'liquor sales' as he puts it. That is, without people chattering, bottles and glasses clinging and clunking.His guitar work just gets better and better and his ability to "get the song across," as Bob Dylan puts it, and "not himself" is now refined to perfection, too. To hear McMurty perform is one of life's great blessings.
I spent most of my Wednesday’s at the Continental Club where James had his residency. Gave me plenty of time to decide that he’s the best songwriter alive
I heard Jason Isbell do this in Georgia. I was already in love with it. James is the best! What a beauty!
Ran into that here on RUclips and about fell out!! Play it all the time now. I do love a nice respectable cover if it fits. ✌💚
Him and Chris Knight are two of the greatest story telling musicians alive. So much respect for them.
Outstanding; I can't believe that music is coming out of one man and a guitar! I've just been discovering James McMurtry and he keeps amazing me with his acoustic, live, and studio tracks.
Last time I saw him here in Maine he didnt have time to change out of his hunting orange, it was so real, great show to!!!!
Now that is cool as shit
@@dennisgrubbs1929 hes a big Turkey hunter.Not easy game to hunt.Turkeys are smart.
Genius
Great song, playing and his usual brilliance of saying a lot, with limited words but much wisdom, clever phrasing and depth.
James should be HUGE and listening to his stuff a lot these days
Fantastic
This is THE perfect song. none better. 3:29
This song reminds me of when my kid's mother and me broke up . The kid's ended up with me . Their mother died of cancer in '09 . It's all there .
Thanks james for thirty years of jams i still think too long in the wasteland is a banger
One of James McMurtry's greats songs in my opinion.
no i just went to my first continentalclub show last wednesday. loved it. liked the crowd as well
Absolute genius that brings me peace
Was making a mix of my favorite songs by James when I came across this and it blew me away. Definitely rethinking my mix now. What an incredible story teller.
I love this song.
I saw him perform at Birdie's in Indy, he had a rack of about seven different guitars that he played and, and man can he play!
James is the best thing going. Wow.
Who could not like this?
Great song I like the sound of the 12 string always have always will
so cool this guy plays weekly in Austin. i had no idea for a while...
love his tunz!
This video crew does great work, I tell ya what! Hand-held and zoomed in ... it's a steady shot!
mr murtry - never stop sharing your gift -
mcmurtry! (excuse , it erased!)
It's 1am ....who do youthink I share my time with?......
I love the rachel song
I have been fortunate enough to see him many times ...... some of the best shows of my life
Warren Zevon was fantastic man !! A totally excellent songwriter and singer. Carmelita forever!
well thats it the guitar is comin out when i get home......
I would agree with Mr. King. And as an aside, I'm going to guess that Stephen King's choice 10 years ago would have been Mr. Warren Zevon. They were good friends and with some google searching you can find some of what King said about Zevon. Similar stuff. So I guess what I'm getting at is folks should give Zevon a listen if they haven't before. My favorite singer/songwriter of all-time.
Real Good Stuff!
Someone else on the comments board compared James to Dylan. I'd put James in that rarefied class myself, with one caveat: James is a lot more serious, and he's much more consistent.
Just my 2 cents worth.
1:00
@toterola451 Peace right back at you, man. Both great artists.
What is this the 70s?
Show the guitar not close ups on his face we know what he looks like.
Great version 👍
check out hurricane party
Jesus!!!!
I wrecked the El Camino
I wrecked a Road Runner - wouldn't have been DWI -it was just wide open- died in battle though doing what it was made to do just thank God noone was with me and no other casualties other than the car
@toterola451
well said, and in my opinion, a lot more REAL. Dylan can't hold a candle to McMurtry in the Real department.
@eyesoftheworld0, Dylan's earlier work will make him immortal. But I just don't think his stuff in the last 20 years has been even a shadow of the monumental work we came to expect from Mr. Dylan. I listen to "Freewheelin", "Blond on Blond", "John Wesley Harding", "Blood on the Tracks", etc. and I can't help but think: WTF happened?
Sounds like Alice in Chains to me
Dylan? Way more literate than Dylan. More like the Warren Zevon of Alt. Country.
Tuning?
Standard
@maxfrost68 , like I've said about a lot of stuff in the last 30 years: Too hip, gotta go. Peace.
i dont think so... but that sounds familiar, maybe i saw it happen...
@toterola451
Christ, you're missing it, man. Listen to Time Out of Mind or Love and Theft, give them a chance and you'll see. I think WTF happened is that Dylan passed YOU by.