James McMurtry live at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA review

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As a seasoned music enthusiast who’s had the pleasure of witnessing countless live performances, I can confidently say that James McMurtry at The Birchmere was one for the books! His ability to keep his audience guessing and yet consistently deliver is truly remarkable.

Over the past several occasions (about a half dozen times), I’ve caught James McMurtry performing live. As a result, I’m familiar with some of his stage banter. However, he consistently keeps me on my toes by introducing unexpected elements during his solo shows. This was evident once again at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia last Saturday night.

After completing his 15-song performance, he came back to perform “Blackberry Winter” sans amplification. Only his guitar and his voice were present – no microphone or amp. He wandered around the stage as if he were a minstrel, interacting with different sections of the 500 audience members. It was an intimate and cozy way to end his concert.

He had some additional surprises up his sleeve. A fresh stanza was inserted smack-dab in the heart of his most renowned composition – the epic “Choctaw Bingo.” This new piece revolved around opioids and neglected children, a potentially sentimental topic for a less skilled songwriter. However, in McMurtrey’s deep, gravelly voice, it becomes yet another keen observation of the complex characters that inhabit his songs.

James McMurtry keeps the audience off-balance and pleased live at the Birchmere

The final song played was from McMurtry’s latest album, “The Horses and the Hounds,” which came out in 2021. However, he hinted at a new album with a potent new tune arriving soon, although he didn’t specify its name. I reckon when it’s officially released, it will be named “Sons of the Second Sons.” It definitely should be, in my opinion.

This song offers an engaging history lesson on how European primogeniture led to a socially tense class system that appears to have taken root in a specific part of the New World. The lyrics invite you to consider where the “descendants of peasants” express their belief in freedom.

It’s possible that the upcoming album from James McMurtry could be released next year, but he cautioned that there isn’t a specific release date until after it’s actually out. In the meantime, we have plenty of excellent songs by him to enjoy while we wait for the new one to come out.

James, son to one of America’s most esteemed novelists in the latter half of the 20th century, Larry, has carried on his father’s legacy as a top-tier songwriter in this new millennium. On Saturday, he mixed things up by performing four songs from each of the albums “The Horse and the Hounds” and “Complicated Game“, released in 2015, as well as three songs from earlier works, namely “Just Us Kids ” and “Saint Mary of the Woods“.

As a gamer, I noticed he’s been putting more intensity into his guitar playing than I recall before, especially when he strums that 12-string and gives a bluesy twist to a song like “Red Dress.” Never have I heard “Choctaw Bingo” sound as sharp as it did then, with some of the riffs edging close to Richard Thompson’s style.

During his performance, McMurtry spoke sparingly but shared an intriguing anecdote about his father who penned a letter requesting the Methodist Church to formally release him from membership due to no longer being affiliated. Furthermore, he suggested that individuals from economically advanced nations should generously tip their servers as we, as a nation, have yet to progress enough to compensate them fairly for their work. Known for his candid political views, James McMurtry has consistently expressed such opinions.

During his encore before performing solo, BettySoo joined him on stage for their heartwarming duet of “Canola Fields”. She also played guitar with him on a new, yet-to-be-titled song. In return, McMurtry had previously accompanied BettySoo for her last three songs, strumming the guitar and even lending his voice for her final number. Since the song was “Gulf Road”, one of McMurtry’s own compositions, it seemed fitting that he would return the favor.

Next year, BettySoo will release an album featuring her rendition of “Gulf Road.” This project, assisted by Curtis McMurtry, a renowned singer-producer, is coming to fruition. Known among friends as the “queen of bummer jams,” BettySoo performed songs such as “How to Live Alone,” “Down to Goodbye,” and “100 Different Ways of Being Alone.

Although BettySoo’s music often deals with somber themes, her melodious approach and clever wit make even sad tunes enjoyable to hum along. Interestingly, when she ventures into more upbeat, optimistic songs, I feel she somewhat loses her unique charm. It seems that BettySoo excels at expressing solitude, so perhaps it’s best for her to compose and sing about any subject matter she desires, especially themes of being alone, as she does it exceptionally well.

James McMurtry is free to perform whatever he chooses, as he’s exceptionally skilled at it. After touring along the East Coast for a while longer in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, he will eventually return southwards, concluding his journey back home in Texas by the end of the month.

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2024-09-08 16:00