Pickers and Poets: The Ruthlessly Poetic Singer-Songwriters of Texas

Okay and intact well packaged

As a songwriter myself and a huge fan of the Texas songwriting tradition I can't recommend this book enough. There is a tremendous amount of insight into the work of each writer as well interesting historical bits that go beyond the usual coverage of these titans. A well done worthy undertaking of a topic that rarely gets it's just attention outside of a small circle of rabid fans.

Sorry, but I have to push back on all the 5 star reviews here. This book is good, not great. First, I'm taking 1/4 star away for the number of times the words ruthlessly poetic are used. You will be sick of those words by the time you are finished with this book.First off, I couldn't agree more that the lyrics of people like Townes Van Zant, Lyle Lovett, and Guy Clark rise to the level of poetry but, if that is the criteria for being included in this book, I do not think that many of the lyrics presented here meet that bar. That doesn't mean that they can't be good songs. But, once you take away the poetic criteria, you are left with a survey of Texas singer/songwriters which would be fine, but that brings up the question of who is in and who is left out. Joe Ely is barely mentioned. I've seen him twice on stage with Lyle and Guy. If he's good enough for them, he should be good enough for this book.The real burr under my saddle is the way the Lost Gonzo Band is virtually ignored in this book. They seemed to be the been everywhere during the era, as a group and as individual musicians, playing with everyone from Micheal Murphey to Jerry Jeff, and yet they are barely mentioned. One of the authors was a part of an early version of the band and played with many of the members of the band, yet there seems to be a blind spot for the band's 3 albums and their music, which I think is great.One of the authors, Craig Hillis, interviews Gary P Nunn, lead singer/songwriter for the Gonzos, about the progressive country scene and all he wants to talk about is other people; Fromholz, Murghey, Walker and Willie Nelson. Gary P has been a part of the Texas Music scene and wrote what the author described as the "Texas National Anthem", London Homesick Blues. Gary P is still active in the Texas music scene and it is a shame that the contributions of all of the members or this band were not more recognized. You can't take the music away from a song and give the songwriter all the credit.I also found that there was a bit too much musicology and the author injecting himself into the story. Analyzing lyrics without the music ignores the full effect of the song. I did not find the essays here particularly insightful. Also, I don't care if you knew them when...unless it provides some insights into what was going on.So, I'm grateful that the book was written and it has introduced me to some new music, but it could have been better.

This is a really great book that covers a lot of important territory. I'm very glad I bought it. I was fortunate enough to have lived in South Texas during those years.

This book was a gift that I thought I would leaf through, but it turned out to be a page turner and I bought it as a gift for other music loving friends. Awesome!