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VOA常速英语2008年-James McMurtry's 'Just Us Kids' Strives to Evok

时间:2008-05-10 03:29来源:互联网 提供网友:zhxido   字体: [ ]
    (单词翻译:双击或拖选)
By Katherine Cole
Washington
28 April 2008

Author Stephen King describes James McMurtry as "the truest, fiercest songwriter of his generation." Music critics seem to agree, calling his 2005 CD "Childish1 Things" everything from "a career album," to "the years best." His peers2 seem to agree, honoring "Childish Things" with three wins at the 2006 Americana Music Awards. Now comes "Just Us Kids," and VOA's Katherine Cole reports James McMurtry's ninth solo3 CD is every bit as powerful as his eighth.

With Just Us Kids, James McMurtry does what every artist strives4 to do; make you feel. It doesn't matter if the songs make you feel uncomfortable, angry or empowered. All that matters is that you feel something. While many people will like this album full of story songs, it is also bound to make others very angry, because unlike some entertainers, James isn't afraid to speak out and say exactly what he feels and thinks.

For example, James has made it no secret that he's against the war in Iraq, and is also angry about things closer to home. While many other performers may be feeling the same way, few are brave enough to put out songs that say just that. In a recent interview at the South by Southwest Music Conference, James McMurtry said writing about what he believes in has nothing to with being brave; it's just something that needs to be done.

McMurtry: "I mean, I only got into it because I couldn't avoid it. As a resident of the state of Texas that usually votes Democratic, my vote doesn't seem to mean much anymore. So the only power I had was a record deal. I put 'We Can't Make It Here Anymore' out as a free download right before the 2004 election, and it got more attention than anything I'd done on a CD in the last 10 years. I didn't know that would happen. I just got lucky with that."

Cole: "I guess that's what you have to write about these days, right?"

McMurtry: "You have to write about it some. This is not entirely5 a political album, I think there are about four political songs on it out of 13. But yes, it has to be done. You have to get your opinion across anyway you can. It might not matter. But I do think that recording6 artists do have a responsibility. And we're a little too scared these days. We're trying to be loved. And I think our job is really to be remembered, not loved, because not everyone is going to love you, no matter what you do. So make a point. Take a stand on whatever it is."

As James McMurtry said, not all the songs on Just Us Kids are political. But they are all honest … and real. You may feel the same way or know some of the people James is singing about in his songs; like "Ruby7 and Carlos," who's love is not standing8 the test of time.

James McMurtry recorded this CD with his road band performing on all the tracks. There are a few special guests, too.

McMurtry: "Ian McLagen came in and played all the keyboards, the [Hammond] B-3 [organ] and piano. And we've got an excellent trumpet9 player on a few songs, a fellow named Ephraim Owens."

Cole: "And you produced this one?"

McMurtry: "Yes. I've actually produced my last four records because nobody else much wanted to do it. I'm getting tired of it."

Cole: "In a perfect world, who might you like to work with?"

McMurtry: "I have not yet worked with Bobby Field. R.S. Field, the guy who did all those Sonny Landreth records and he did a couple of Webb Wilder records. Yeah, I'd like to work with him. There are a lot of people who really know how to do it. I've gotten pretty good at it, but I think I need to go back to producer school, and let someone else do the next one."

Cole: "So what's next for you? Are you going to be touring this a lot?"

McMurtry: "Yes, we'll be out most of the mid-year. And then turn around again. Hopefully we can step up. We're at a very uncomfortable point. We're starting to fill clubs where we used to not be able to draw flies [attract few patrons]. But we're still in clubs, which means I can't get away from people. I'm not really a 'people person.' And so I get trapped in these clubs, and then I destroy the illusion10 that I'm a nice guy … which can be detrimental11 to a career!"

James McMurtry's Just Us Kids" maintains the high standards fans have come to expect from the singer-songwriter. The music is filled with loud guitars, but leaves the spotlight12 on his words. That is perfect, as James McMurtry writes songs filled with characters so real that you're sure they're going to climb out of the speakers and look you in the eyes.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 childish rrmzR     
adj.孩子的,孩子气的,幼稚的
参考例句:
  • The little girl spoke in a high childish voice.这个小女孩用尖尖的童声讲话。
  • We eventually ran out of patience with his childish behaviour.我们终于对他幼稚的行为忍无可忍。
2 peers 450f65d3f10fa333d36ca017809f22a2     
n.同等的人,贵族vi.凝视,窥视vt.与…同等,封为贵族v.凝视( peer的第三人称单数 );盯着看;同等;比得上
参考例句:
  • She enjoys the respect of her peers. 她受到同侪的尊敬。
  • She peers into my eyes. 她盯着我的眼睛。 来自《简明英汉词典》
3 solo ywpw8     
n.独奏,独唱;adj.单独的;adv.单独地;v.放单飞,单独表演
参考例句:
  • Tara is currently working on a solo album.塔拉眼下正忙着制作个人专辑。
  • There's wonderfully lyrical flute solo in the middle of this symphony.在交响乐中间有一段奇妙的抒情长笛独奏。
4 strives 9cf85fb7954ae06a2e5e6581a7b41385     
n.争吵,斗争,冲突( strife的名词复数 )v.努力奋斗,力求( strive的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • The less advanced strives to catch up with the more advanced. 后进赶先进。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • Man errs so long as he strives. 人只要奋斗就会犯错误。 来自每日一句
5 entirely entirely     
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
  • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
6 recording UktzJj     
n.录音,记录
参考例句:
  • How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间?
  • I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。
7 ruby iXixS     
n.红宝石,红宝石色
参考例句:
  • She is wearing a small ruby earring.她戴着一枚红宝石小耳环。
  • On the handle of his sword sat the biggest ruby in the world.他的剑柄上镶有一颗世上最大的红宝石。
8 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
9 trumpet AUczL     
n.喇叭,喇叭声;v.吹喇叭,吹嘘
参考例句:
  • He plays the violin, but I play the trumpet.他拉提琴,我吹喇叭。
  • The trumpet sounded for battle.战斗的号角吹响了。
10 illusion iaqxx     
n.幻想,错误的观念,错觉,幻觉,假象
参考例句:
  • The sun appears to go round the Earth,but it's an illusion.太阳看起来好像绕着地球转,但这只是个错觉。
  • They were under the illusion that the company was doing well.他们误以为该公司生意很好。
11 detrimental 1l2zx     
adj.损害的,造成伤害的
参考例句:
  • We know that heat treatment is detrimental to milk.我们知道加热对牛奶是不利的。
  • He wouldn't accept that smoking was detrimental to health.他不相信吸烟有害健康。
12 spotlight 6hBzmk     
n.公众注意的中心,聚光灯,探照灯,视听,注意,醒目
参考例句:
  • This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
  • The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。
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TAG标签:   voa  常速英语  james  mcmurtry  kid  st  voa  常速英语  james  mcmurtry  kid  st
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