![\"hornetsnest\"](\"http:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/hornetsnest-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a>The McMurtry legacy continues as James\u2019 son (Larry\u2019s grandson) puts out his second CD, \u201cHornet\u2019s nest\u201d. Curtis McMurtry has produced an interesting compilation of what I would call \u201cLove? songs\u201d in that they look at relationships more through the eyes of what goes wrong in them rather than how love is so wonderful. Curtis employs the cynical sense of humor that has served his dad so well in his writing career, dishing up clever one-liners to the accompaniment of a minimalist instrumental background. Most of the music is banjo and guitar over a mesh of cello and muted trumpet, with a rhythm provided by Taylor Turner\u2019s upright bass and Mike Meadow\u2019s (Porter Davis) uniquely inventive percussion.<\/p>\n\u201cHard Blue Stones\u201d explores the obsession that invites abuse, while \u201cSmooth as Thorns\u201d looks at the expectations lovers put on each other. \u201cLoves Me More\u201d is a jazzy exploration of jealousy when romance and \u201cbromance\u201d get mixed together. \u201cWrong Inflection\u201d is about how what we say to each other within a relationship can so easily be misconstrued. \u201cRebecca\u201d exhibits the confusion that occurs when we think that we can have a casual sexual relationship, but the emotions prove otherwise. \u201cIf I Leave\u201d examines the situation of a relationship becoming awkward. \u201cTogether for Now\u201d is about that uneasy phase when you are always saying the wrong thing and the status of the relationship is up in the air.<\/p>\n
McMurtry leaves the relationship theme for the last two tunes on this disc. \u201cShot at the Title\u201d is an inspirational tune set to a heavy cello overtone that entreats the listener to give it his best effort. \u201cSilver World\u201d is an ethereal entreaty that starts with Meadows\u2019 percussion and gradually adds acoustic bass, cello and then muted trumpet, begging the listener to create something that will last forever.<\/p>\n
\u201cHornet\u2019s Nest\u201d is a great study of love and relationships from a decidedly unromantic point of view. The lyrical hijinks alone are well worth the price of the album. The music is ingenious, as well, in its subtlety and simplicity. I am encouraged to see the McMurtry progeny picking up the family trade with such gusto.<\/p>\n
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Written by James Killen The McMurtry legacy continues as James\u2019 son (Larry\u2019s grandson) puts out his second CD, \u201cHornet\u2019s nest\u201d. Curtis McMurtry has produced an interesting compilation of what I would call \u201cLove? songs\u201d in that they look at relationships more through the eyes of what goes wrong in them rather than how love is… <\/p>\n