James McMurtry is pushing 60 and his famous father, author Larry McMurtry died earlier this year. On his new album The Horses and the Hounds he channels his preoccupation with aging.

McMurtry is joined on the album by some familiar sideman, some who worked with him on his first album in 1989 including guitar great David Grissom and producer Ross Hogarth. He’s obviously comfortable enough with them to lean on his sharp witted humor and sarcasm.

McMurtry’s vocals are slightly craggier than his last album seven years ago but that works in his favor as the narrator of some of the best story songs he’s written and that’s saying a lot considering his phenomenal track record.  

The Horses and the Hounds was recorded in Los Angeles and he admits he was influenced by his surroundings. McMurtry says "The ghost of Warren Zevon seems to be stomping around among the guitar tracks. Don't know how he got in there. He never signed on for work for hire." That touchstone is one of the most endearing traits of the album.

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