Best Bets: James McMurtry back in the state
I rarely write about Omaha club shows in this space. But this week I’m making an exception for an exceptional artist. James McMurtry is coming back to Nebraska — and he shouldn’t be missed.
McMurtry put on a stunning show at Knickerbockers earlier this year, combining rock boogie with his exceptionally literate songwriting. Now McMurtry’s got a great new album out and he’s back on the road. He’ll be at Omaha’s Jobber’s Canyon Brewery, 416 S. 12th St., Tuesday night.
McMurtry’s record is called “Childish Things” — and it’s been causing a bit of a stir. Not because he’s written some of his best story songs ever — which he has.
It’s because it contains “We Can’t Make It Here,” a vivid, pointed protest song that looks at the promises of Bush America and finds nothing but everyday people hurting, towns falling apart and the rich getting richer. McMurtry released the song online during the 2004 election, and now it’s getting an airing on CD.
But the seven-minute number, which Stephen King calls the best protest song since Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War,” is just one of many standout tracks on “Childish Things,” a great record. I was hooked by the opener, “See The Elephant,” which harkens back to the old days of traveling shows, and stayed hooked through “Holiday.” If you can’t relate to that song, you’ve never gone home to the family for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Along the way, McMurtry turns loose another batch of his well-drawn characters living in specific, carefully observed places. He’s as good a songwriter as there is today and his live shows are as good as his songwriting. He’s not a great singer. But neither is Dylan. And I’m making that comparison for a reason.
On screen
Another handful of new movies opens in Lincoln weekend, including one which is likely to be a hit. That’s “In Her Shoes.” This one’s a multi-generational chick flick that stars Cameron Diaz and Shirley MacLaine. Diaz’s performance has been hailed as her best screen work yet and MacLaine is always good. You can read more about it on page 9.
MoPix movie
“Serenity” is the MoPix movie at the Douglas Grand Theatre again this week. MoPix is a system that provides access to films to deaf and blind and is available in one of the Grand’s 14 auditoriums.
Clubland
It’s pretty slow on the local club scene this week, with only four shows worth noting.
The first of the quartet will take place tonight at the Zoo Bar when The Bel-Airs are back at one of their favorite venues. In a recent documentary about the Zoo, one of the Missouri trio said The Bel-Airs have played the North 14th Street club something like 300 nights. That’s all that needs to be said about tonight’s show.
Wednesday night, another pair of Zoo favorites will be back in town when James Harman and The Tablerockers take the stage. Southern California bluesman Harman has been playing the Zoo for decades and he’s joining up with the Arkansas-based trio that includes former Zoo owner Larry Boehmer and Lincoln native Jason Davis. They were great together earlier this year. The same should be expected at Wednesday’s early show.
If you’re looking to get your head rattled, slip on down to Duffy’s Tavern Sunday night for a four-band metal fest.
Topping the bill is Asschapel, a slamming outfit that says it’s from “Thrashville” Tennessee. Suffice it to say, they’ve got nothing to do with the country popsters on Music Row. Also on the bill are Axes To The Sky, Wasteoid and American Nightmare. The latter is an acoustic Misfits tribute band.
Finally, fans of Sublime and the Long Beach Dub All-Stars will want to show up at Knickerbockers Wednesday for Long Beach Short Bus, which includes members of both of those bands. Expect lots of ska-influenced rock at this 18 and over show.
Fearless football forecast
The West Coast offense came alive at Memorial Stadium last Saturday, Nebraska pulled out an exciting double-overtime win against Iowa State and a sigh of relief passed through Huskerland. Maybe 2005 isn’t going to be another nightmare on Stadium Drive. Then again, Iowa State is still Iowa State, at least when it comes to being jinxed in Lincoln. Saturday will be another story. Mike Leach will have his pass-happy offense in full gear when Texas Tech hits the striped Field Turf, and the Red Raiders defense is supposed to be improved. Can Nebraska beat two Top 25 teams in a row? Doubtful. Texas Tech 28, Nebraska 14.
Reach L. Kent Wolgamott at 473-7244 or kwolgamott@journalstar.com.
McMurtry put on a stunning show at Knickerbockers earlier this year, combining rock boogie with his exceptionally literate songwriting. Now McMurtry’s got a great new album out and he’s back on the road. He’ll be at Omaha’s Jobber’s Canyon Brewery, 416 S. 12th St., Tuesday night.
McMurtry’s record is called “Childish Things” — and it’s been causing a bit of a stir. Not because he’s written some of his best story songs ever — which he has.
It’s because it contains “We Can’t Make It Here,” a vivid, pointed protest song that looks at the promises of Bush America and finds nothing but everyday people hurting, towns falling apart and the rich getting richer. McMurtry released the song online during the 2004 election, and now it’s getting an airing on CD.
But the seven-minute number, which Stephen King calls the best protest song since Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War,” is just one of many standout tracks on “Childish Things,” a great record. I was hooked by the opener, “See The Elephant,” which harkens back to the old days of traveling shows, and stayed hooked through “Holiday.” If you can’t relate to that song, you’ve never gone home to the family for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Along the way, McMurtry turns loose another batch of his well-drawn characters living in specific, carefully observed places. He’s as good a songwriter as there is today and his live shows are as good as his songwriting. He’s not a great singer. But neither is Dylan. And I’m making that comparison for a reason.
On screen
Another handful of new movies opens in Lincoln weekend, including one which is likely to be a hit. That’s “In Her Shoes.” This one’s a multi-generational chick flick that stars Cameron Diaz and Shirley MacLaine. Diaz’s performance has been hailed as her best screen work yet and MacLaine is always good. You can read more about it on page 9.
MoPix movie
“Serenity” is the MoPix movie at the Douglas Grand Theatre again this week. MoPix is a system that provides access to films to deaf and blind and is available in one of the Grand’s 14 auditoriums.
Clubland
It’s pretty slow on the local club scene this week, with only four shows worth noting.
The first of the quartet will take place tonight at the Zoo Bar when The Bel-Airs are back at one of their favorite venues. In a recent documentary about the Zoo, one of the Missouri trio said The Bel-Airs have played the North 14th Street club something like 300 nights. That’s all that needs to be said about tonight’s show.
Wednesday night, another pair of Zoo favorites will be back in town when James Harman and The Tablerockers take the stage. Southern California bluesman Harman has been playing the Zoo for decades and he’s joining up with the Arkansas-based trio that includes former Zoo owner Larry Boehmer and Lincoln native Jason Davis. They were great together earlier this year. The same should be expected at Wednesday’s early show.
If you’re looking to get your head rattled, slip on down to Duffy’s Tavern Sunday night for a four-band metal fest.
Topping the bill is Asschapel, a slamming outfit that says it’s from “Thrashville” Tennessee. Suffice it to say, they’ve got nothing to do with the country popsters on Music Row. Also on the bill are Axes To The Sky, Wasteoid and American Nightmare. The latter is an acoustic Misfits tribute band.
Finally, fans of Sublime and the Long Beach Dub All-Stars will want to show up at Knickerbockers Wednesday for Long Beach Short Bus, which includes members of both of those bands. Expect lots of ska-influenced rock at this 18 and over show.
Fearless football forecast
The West Coast offense came alive at Memorial Stadium last Saturday, Nebraska pulled out an exciting double-overtime win against Iowa State and a sigh of relief passed through Huskerland. Maybe 2005 isn’t going to be another nightmare on Stadium Drive. Then again, Iowa State is still Iowa State, at least when it comes to being jinxed in Lincoln. Saturday will be another story. Mike Leach will have his pass-happy offense in full gear when Texas Tech hits the striped Field Turf, and the Red Raiders defense is supposed to be improved. Can Nebraska beat two Top 25 teams in a row? Doubtful. Texas Tech 28, Nebraska 14.
Reach L. Kent Wolgamott at 473-7244 or kwolgamott@journalstar.com.
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