James McMurtry got his start with help from John Mellencamp who produced his first two albums, 1989’s Too Long in the Wasteland and 1992’s Candyland, and gave McMurtry’s wry, literate tales a powerful middle America classic rock thump. However, the ensuing years with the bluegrass-flavored record label Sugar Hill refocused McMurtry towards his musical roots and Texas producer Lloyd Maines adds dobro, slide and steel guitars among the more traditional accompaniment. “Soda and Salt” and the unusually topical “Airline Agent” employ a juke joint blues, while the other tunes enjoy a road band’s tight familiarity. Townes Van Zandt’s “Rex’s Blues” is given an unusually light approach, the song’s whirring despair replaced with a Stones-like rhythm punch. “I Only Want to Talk to You” recalls Infidels-era Dylan in its carefully measured arrangement and its calm, reasoned observations. McMurtry’s wit continues to snap in quick quips that skirt past the deceptively relaxed folk-rock beat. He adapts to whatever life throws him, but it never stops him from questioning what he’s received.