Re-recording the classics that propelled him to a progressive country icon in the Seventies, Dallas native Michael Martin Murphey recruited a veritable Armadillo World Headquarters reunion. Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Jerry Jeff Walker, Kelly Willis, Steve Earle, and more pitch in, but the result is more mess than nostalgia. The soft arrangements behind Murphey’s still vibrant tenor don’t help with poorly aged material like “Wildfire,” featuring Amy Grant. Guesting Earle, “Geronimo’s Cadillac” smokes and Steven Fromholz’s stripped-down “Texas Trilogy” rings true, but the group efforts of “Alleys of Austin” and “Cosmic Cowboy” disservice the originals.

**

This article appears in November 23 • 2018.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US

Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.