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Jim Lauderdale - Headed for the Hills

Jim Lauderdale (C) John Cutliffe 2003I think it was at Merlfest 2002 that I first came across Jim Lauderdale. The first time was on the intimate Cabin Stage where he played a couple of beautiful songs acoustically.

The next day I caught Jim and his band at the livelier Americana stage and realized that this was no ordinary singer songwriter. A bit of research after Merlefest revealed that I had been missing a whole lot as Jim's career had been pretty successful and long up until that point.

Since that first encounter I have been a fan. I have seen Jim at many festivals in different guises. Sometimes he was alone and acoustic. At other times he was with his occasional musical companion Dr Ralph Stanley and at the next festival he was with his buddies Donna the Buffalo .

No matter which lineup Jim is working with his songs stand out and on his new album he showcases thirteen finely crafted stories of the American way. All of the songs on Jim's latest CD were written by Jim and Robert Hunter and as a songwriting duo they appear to have that spark that collaborators need to put them just ahead of the pack.

Headed For The Hills also has Jim joined by some very special guests who include Emmylou Harris, Tim O'Brien, Gillian Welch, Bryan Sutton and Darrell Scott. This is just an example of how highly Jim is thought of in Nashville circles.

Here he doesn't let any of his fans down. Kicking off with the High Timberline he sets the tine of the album and let's everyone know that this is true front porch country music.

For the most part the album is played as an acoustic set with a good old time feel. I have a feeling some of these tracks will find themselves on other people's albums in the coming years too.

The songs are heartfelt and melodic from the title and the quirky Looking Elsewhere, Jim tears at the heart. Sandy Ford is one of those great lively story songs whose upbeat tempo hides the dark underlying tale of Civil War.

The last track rocks things up a little with Donna the Buffalo guesting on Upside Down. I can see why Jim would bring the band in for one track as he has been working with them for a couple of years now but on this CD it wasn't necessary and, short as the song was it felt out of place after a roll through so many beautifully played acoustic tracks.

All in all this CD easily places itself up there with great albums by the likes of Guy Clark and other who know how to turn a phrase in a song and take you from despair to happiness in the change of a chord.

Check out Jim's website for more info on the man himself

 

http://www.jimlauderdale.com

 

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