{"product_id":"the-black-dog-and-the-wandering-boy","title":"The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen his father died in 2021, \u003cstrong\u003eJames McMurtry\u003c\/strong\u003e went through his effects and discovered a rough pencil sketch of himself as a child. \"\u003cem\u003eThe Black Dog \u0026amp; the Wandering Boy\u003c\/em\u003e,\" his eleventh album, was in the works at that time. The sketch was of James himself, but he wasn't sure who the artist was. His stepmom identified it as resembling the work of Ken Kesey from the '60s, a time when Kesey's Merry Pranksters, a group of hippie activists and creators, frequently visited James' father, \u003cstrong\u003eLarry McMurtry\u003c\/strong\u003e, his wife Faye, and young James.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe album, \u003cem\u003eThe Black Dog \u0026amp; the Wandering Boy\u003c\/em\u003e, is a collection of rough-hewn story-songs and richly drawn character sketches with elements of Americana. It features rolling guitars, barroom harmonies, and traces of banjo and harmonica, but goes beyond the typical categorizations. Both funny and sad, the album adds a new chapter to \u003cstrong\u003eJames McMurtry\u003c\/strong\u003e's long career. His influence is evident in younger songwriters like \u003cstrong\u003eSarah Jarosz\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eJason Isbell\u003c\/strong\u003e, both of whom have acknowledged his impact. \u003cstrong\u003eJarosz\u003c\/strong\u003e even plays on the new album, while \u003cstrong\u003eIsbell\u003c\/strong\u003e has taken \u003cstrong\u003eMcMurtry\u003c\/strong\u003e on tour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe characters in \u003cstrong\u003eMcMurtry\u003c\/strong\u003e's songs face realizations that are often difficult and sorrowful, coming at the end of life rather than the beginning. Some find solace in a calling or a cherished memory, while others meet tragic fates, like the South Texas lawman. Even the songwriter himself sometimes doesn't know what will inspire him next. As \u003cstrong\u003eJames McMurtry\u003c\/strong\u003e puts it, \"You follow the words where they lead. If you can get a character, maybe you can get a story. If you can set it to a verse-chorus structure, maybe you can get a song.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New West Records","offers":[{"title":"CD - Signed","offer_id":51647602884939,"sku":"R2339-0146","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":51647602917707,"sku":"R2339-0092","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":51647602950475,"sku":"R2339-0087","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP - Khaki \/ Signed","offer_id":51647602983243,"sku":"R2339-3789","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/201375031101_c3707ce6-6a26-4992-8003-0d5a793e8600.jpg?v=1752252755","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/products\/the-black-dog-and-the-wandering-boy","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}