James McMurtry - You Got To Me (eTown webisode  

Greatest. Living. Songwriter.

Just a born storyteller...got soul, and gives it straight

James McMurtry is a gift!! He should have much more acclaim. What a gifted songwriter!!

I have listened to this song at least 100 times, and each time I hear or feel something uniquely different. He can certainly fray your nerves and let the sadness in. He is so talented, of course there is no one like him just like all great talents what makes him great is the fact he is just him, no gimmicks or fancy lights needed. Every time I listen it is different because I feel a bit different and he has the ability to speak to people no matter how they feel.

He has the same ability as his father to develop rich characters and to impeccably articulate time and place with vivid imagery. One of the best beer salesmen out there.

So cool to see one of my very favorite musicians working in an ensemble setting. James is indeed an American treasure, though he'd probably hate being referred to as such.

McMurtry An American Treasure

I rediscover eTown every few years... delightful each time it happens... especially this time with James and Martha singing Zevon.

I first discovered McMurtry upon the release of "St Mary Of The Woods" and I heard Valley Road on the radio late at night while driving. And I thought, wow, what a great song. Who is this guy? Went out and bought the CD and I've been a convert ever since.

Damned near perfect

I just LOVE Helen's vocals and presence on stage. A stunningly talented duo are Helen and Nick. Thanks so much for recording and sharing these shows.

i love everything he does he strings words together that resonate deeply

See him live he is great and actually gets paid

Wonderful, brilliant!! McMurtry MAGIC!

"Brought all this empty down on top of me."

What a fantastic songwriter.

Gimme more! Love this guy!!

It's amazing to see an artist who can crank out a song as perfect as this after so many other ones. My favorite JMc song.

The 12 people that have thumbs down need to put their thumb somewhere else.

Possibly the only song in recorded history to use the word "impervious"...

I remember Union Me. And , U got to me…. Great song.

LOVE this!

Just AWESOME!!

Would luv to meet this guy great storyteller.

Perfect

What's amazing about McMurtry is that he is a better guitar player than he is a writer, and he's a top notch songwriter. How people can make megamillions and not be able to write or play or sing without electronic harmonizers is unexplainable. This guy has more talent in his fingers than Brittany Spears or Katy Perry have in their entire body and he struggles while they get blockbuster contracts in Vegas. Life aint fair

bittersweet…

Could well be the finest performance on eTown. Hum...wonder why?

Who's this lovely woman?

Impervious to all abuse.

To celebrate undying faith We're gathered here like drifted wrecks For a late September wedding October breathing down our necks And I knew this town in another time I knew this town a younger man With the world in my hip pocket And a subway token in my hand... You got to me And they got candle light and a reggae band Champagne by the bucket load Limos lined up down the curb To take us where we need to go And I need to go somewhere I've been To find the place I lost the trail Way back then, so long ago I don't suppose you even know you got to me Brought all this empty down on top of me You got to me We danced between the snowflakes falling Tripping on the cobblestones And the trolley tracks, we had it all then Christmas break, your roommates gone We stoked the fire and let it burn Til the embers glowed in the morning light Trust in the tangle of skin on skin I've not known quite that feeling since you got to me Brought all this empty down on top of me I didn't know that we were not to be But I know a thing or two now The wedding party's raging yet How the old and desperate misbehave The limo smells like cocaine sweat Cheap perfume and aftershave It's gotta be one of these row house doors I knew the number long ago I'll step out on the curb And tell the driver "just go on and go" And you got to me Brought all this empty down on top of me I didn't know now that we were not to be But I know a thing or two now The paper boy wants a smoke Leans his bike against a tree And he's tired and cold and broke And he don't know what to make of me Standing here in my three piece suit Standing here just like I am With my vest unbuttoned and my necktie loose Impervious to all abuse You got to me Brought all this empty down on top of me Off on a thousand dollar odyssey And I know a thing or two now

Yes, and now, other than the bottleneck, I place this song along with LUCINDA WILLIAMS and the sides she puts together, down in the NOLA land. Bon Temps Roulez mon ami.

Haha Get a haircut hippie!

I've seen him 5 times, being nowhere near texas. he played the same setlist 4 of 5 times. sigh. fucking kidding me? took a one off acoustic set to hear a saint mary. if I hear turtle bayou one. more. fucking. time. dude. mix your shit up. you have the songs. jenny finlay should be ashamed of herself. she's not repping you, dude.

Perfect