Americana Master Series: BES

A true storyteller in the tradition of his family - father Larry is a celebrated novelist - James McMurtry's music has been described as roots-rock with a country feel, with a little bit of soul and blues thrown in just for good measure. The characters who populate McMurtry's albums are torn directly from the contemporary American landscape; they are so ragged and genuine - their lives are transformed into emotionally gripping songs that testify to the realities of life. This is the best of his Sugar Hill output.