Friday, March 26, 2010 James McMurtry "Levelland"
My life is a series of hills and valleys. Seemingly impossible hills to climb at that, as Music Fog forges its way onto the landscape, and then valleys of enforced solitude to repair and catch one's breath before the next hill arises. Not that I would want it any other way. Back in the mid 90s, when the term Americana began to be used to describe this blend of roots music, there was a voice cutting its way out of the wilderness with a machete. A social critic of acute eye and attention to meter. It is a joy to welcome James McMurtry back in front of the Music Fog cameras. This time, James is bringing the classic, "Levelland."
By the time this song came out in 1995 on the album Where'd You Hide The Body, I was already in love with this Americana Emeritus songwriter. My "James" addiction began with the songs "Too Long In The Wasteland" and "Safe Side." The sardonic writing pulled me in, along with the clarity of vision and simplicity of delivery. Robert Earl Keen covered "Levelland" on his 1997 CD Picnic; there is no higher endorsement as to the quality of James' songwriting.
Levelland is a Texas panhandle town. As of the 2000 census, there were 12,866 residents. (Don't forget to get YOUR census survey back in!) Prominently featured in the WIKI for Levelland are reports of UFOs. Somehow, that doesn't surprise me. Wonder if they'll count them in this year's census?!
-Jessie
Reader Comments (5)
I visited Levelland once to check out the community college there. It is very small, but it has a major in "Country Music" and the music hall is the "Tom T. Hall" music hall. If that doesn't give the town it's man card, I don't know what will. Love the videos!!!
i am a jamesaholic with no plans to get over it...the man rocks and
levelland is only a small piece of a wonderful collection of tunes
that have swept me along now for long these 20 plus years...and
for me he ain't too hard on the eyes..hahaha....
"I'm a drinking man with a James McMurtry problem..." (With a shout out to Nancy Lemon, Thank you, it just came to me when I read your post....) :D
I would guess that Jessie Scott knows this, and Phil Nash may as well, but in case it's not known, "Levelland" is actually written about Floydada, TX. McMurtry explains on the Live in Aught-Three album..."Contrary to popular belief, Robert Earl Keen did not write that last song. I wrote it for my buddy Max Crawford, Max was from Floydada, Texas - Floydada didn't hit the meter, so I used Levelland."
It don't matter whether it's fast or slow...it's JAMES! This version was super and showcased his amazing guitar playing! As always, the lyrics take you on a journey through my past. Thank you Jmaes for the tunz! Alaways a treat!!!