A guest post from the Captain of our New England Ranging Co. — Paul McNamee
Mama Tried, edited by James R. Tuck Down & Out Books, 2016.
Joe Lansdale prefaced one of his most famous stories with a note that is was “a story that does not flinch.” Although Lansdale is not in this book, I think that spirit permeates this anthology.
These stories do not flinch. They dig into criminal worlds, telling taut stories that kept me engaged throughout. As you can see from the cover, each story here is inspired by a classic “outlaw country” song – whether by title alone or riffing on the lyrics as well. The tales run the gamut from law enforcement point-of-view to criminal POV. Criminals within criminals, good cops who might use questionable methods, meth biker gangs, alpaca farms, dog fights, booze running, war veterans, jobs and drug deals gone wrong, lovers who are no good for one another — they’re all here.
The title is a hat-tip to a real-deal outlaw made good — the immortal Merle Haggard.
One of the anthology’s strongest points is its variety. Nineteen songs inspired these tales of outlawry:
Whiskey River by Charles R. Rutledge
L.A. Freeway by J.L Abramo
Branded Man by Mel Odom
Pardon Me (I’ve Got Someone To Kill) by Eric Beetner
Seven Spanish Angels by Riley Miller
Jolene by Grant Jerkins
I’m The Only Hell My Mama Ever Raised by Eryk Pruitt
God’s Gonna Cut You Down by Jay Requard
That’s the spirit, Big John…
Ain’t Livin’ Long Like This by Bobby Nash Danger
Dread by Delilah S. Dawson
Ain’t No Grave by Ryan Sayles
Copperhead Road by Ken Lizzi
Steve Earle looked like one of his own desperate characters back in 1992, as he was slipping over the edge.
Drunken Poet’s Dream by Trey R. Barker
Just Along For The Ride by Michael Bunker
Blood Red and Goin’ Down by Tommy Hancock
Delia’s Gone by James A. Moore
Don’t You Think This Outlaw Shit Done Got Out of Hand? by Levi Black
Waylon’s eternal question… Don’t You Think This Outlaw Shit Done Got Out Of Hand?
Snake Farm by Les Edgerton
Truth Or Consequences (Waitin’ Around to Die) by Christa Faust.
Women can be outlaws, too. That Georgia sun was blood red and goin’ down…
I enjoyed all these stories. As with any anthology, one or two weren’t pitch perfect for me but anyone else might enjoy the ones I felt were flat. And good news: The “other titles” page lists a Mama Tried Volume 2. Let’s hope we see it sooner rather than later!
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You can get your copy of Warriors of the Wild Lands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans through my favorite trading post — Paulina Springs Books of Sisters, Oregon.
Keith West says
There’s a second volume in the works? Sweet!
I’ve been taking my time with this one. It’s an anthology to be savored, not rushed through. I’ve got the last two stories to go. Definitely something to read after final exams are graded.
deuce says
I proudly wear that Cash teeshirt.
It seems odd that there isn’t one Hank Jr. song referenced in the entire anthology. Did I miss one? He was certainly a major part of the Outlaw Country scene and is looked up to as an elder statesman by many country musicians today. Cash, Waylon and Haggard all stayed friends with Williams right up until their deaths. I don’t see how “politics” could enter into it, since Haggard’s politics–perhaps not stated as bluntly–were known to be more or less in line with Williams’. Haggard went into the studio with Williams in 2013 for Hank Jr.’s cover of “I Think I’ll Just Sit Here and Drink”.
“Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound”, “Country Boy Can Survive”, “Family Tradition” and “Those Days Are Gone” would all be good story titles.
Did I miss a shout-out to David Allen Coe in this anthology? The authors can choose whatever songs they want, but the omissions seem odd, as I stated.
JimC says
Maybe in Vol. II?
Hell, you could mine Hank III’s catalogue for plenty of crime fiction titles…
Matthew says
“Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound” really should be the title of a crime story.
deuce says
Absolutely agree. One of the great song titles of all time, IMO.
deuce says
Agree on Hank III. Now that I think about it, where’s a holler for Charlie Daniels? “Uneasy Rider”, “Long Haired Country Boy” and “Midnight Wind” all beg to be crime story titles.
Chris says
I can hear the Allman Brothers song Midnight Rider as a great opening song for a crime story
JimC says
Yes! I always loved the desperation and defiance in that riff.