James McMurtry answers the phone from one of his favorite places: the interstate. \u201cI like the rhythm of being on the road,\u201d he says in his monotone Texas drawl. \u201cI\u2019m old now, so driving beats loading equipment in and out of a club.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McMurtry\u2019s recent gigs have seen him previewing material from his exquisite new album, The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy<\/em>, which is out this Friday. <\/em>With songs full of impactful detail and unforgettable characters, McMurtry is one of songwriting\u2019s most vivid storytellers, following in the tradition of <\/strong>John Prine and Guy Clark and influencing contemporary songwriters like his pal Jason Isbell. While McMurtry\u2019s songs aren\u2019t autobiographical, the new album contains snippets of his life: The title track draws from hallucinations his late father\u2014the acclaimed author Larry McMurtry\u2014experienced while suffering from dementia in his later years. One of his own dogs gets a mention in the slow, soaring gallop of \u201cBack to Coeur d\u2019Alene,\u201d <\/strong>while tracks like the mournful, 9\/11-themed \u201cAnnie\u201d\u2014featuring Sarah Jarosz on banjo and harmony\u2014see McMurtry revisiting his interests in political and social commentary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, Garden & Gun<\/em> is proud to premiere The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy<\/em>, which shows the sixty-three-year-old songwriter is still at the height of his powers. Stream the album below, and read on for our interview with McMurtry on his songwriting process, fishing, and his love of Kris Kristofferson. The album is available to order here<\/a>, and look for McMurtry on tour<\/a>, with dates booked through September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n