In preparation for yesterday's James McMurtry gig at the White Elephant in Fort Worth I drank copious amounts of coffee. It certainly pepped me up but with a certain edge...Very edgey at the beginning of yesterday evening, and lets just say that James McMurtry music is not mood enhancing. But, all turned out well as Hubby, his colleague, made our way to the Fort Worth Stockyards.
The White Elephant Saloon is an experience in itself as this place has been around forever, or so it seems from the decor and ambience. Straw cowboy hats, with each owner's name attached, are nailed to the ceiling, and photos of visiting celebrities from the world of country music and hollywood are framed on the walls -- apparently Michael Keaton made his mark at the pool table here in the early 90s. Very smokey place, but cigarettes seemed right at home at the saloon although I was surprised at the amount of cigar smokes in attendance. The guys around us were friendly and very big James McMurtry fans.
As for James McMurtry himself, he did not disappoint and turned in a fine performance. It is amazing how he sounds exactly the same singing live as he does recorded. A musician rather than an entertainer his efforts to interact with the audience were hindered by the testy sound equipment, which seemed to slide as the evening progressed. The only downside was the sound quality towards the end; lots of feedback...or maybe he's veering towards an edgier sound.
McMurtry is true to himself and his music -- he follows his own path, and therein lies his strength. Those who have discovered his tunes appreciate his music and crafted storytelling. We had a great time and enjoyed his gig. Hopefully we will have another opportunity to see him perform in the upcoming months.
No comments:
Post a Comment