Murry Hammond
(Murry Hammond)
From the moment Murry Hammond's world-weary drawl joins his faint strumming on his haunting rendition of "What Are They Doing in Heaven Today?" it's clear that residing in Southern California has done nothing to alter his Texas roots. On his 17-song self-released solo debut the Old 97's bassist proves himself not only a superb interpreter of gospel and country-folk standards but also an immensely gifted songwriter capable of crafting rich, evocative narratives that peer deeply into human experience through the lens of Americana.
In the time of shuffle and single-song downloads, I Don't Know Where I'm Going But I'm On My Way is a cohesive album best appreciated from start to finish, with Hammond's original material seamlessly woven among the traditional tunes. Each song sounds lived in, intimate. Whether he's singing about wanderlust or Jesus, he clearly feels every word.
Tales of trains real and metaphorical permeate the album-"Between the Switches," "Riding the Rods," "Grainer," "As You Roll Across the Trestle"-and serve as a fitting motif for Hammond's reflections on physical and spiritual journeys. Many of the songs move with the steady beat of railcar clatter, including the album's two most immediately catchy songs, "Lost at Sea" and "Wreck of the 97," which both reflect the melodic sensibilities of his Old 97's work.
The album's finest moments, though, come at the close with a trio of songs that reinforce the themes of loss, death, and faith. Only a harmonium joins Hammond's quavering vocal on Bob Nolan's "Rainbow's End" while on "Other, Younger Days," ambient acoustic guitars whirl as Hammond offers his most direct ruminations on his parents' recent deaths: "Last few years, we'd brought him home/ To ease the day that she sailed on . . . "He said, ‘Now, sons, as you pass by/ As you are now so once was I/ As I am now, so you must be/ Dead to rights and following." The final track, Hammond's modern-day hymn "I Believe, I Believe," resonates with the hope of his faith while retaining the ache of struggle and yearning.
Standout Tracks: "I Believe, I Believe," "Other, Younger Days," "Wreck of the 97" JASON MIDDLEKAUFF
