Search - Jimmy Arnold :: Southern Soul

A Gifted Performer/Songwriter

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 06/02/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The final album of Jimmy Arnold's short career--it was only his third album--was released in 1983, nine years before his untimely death at the age of 40. The fourteen songs contained herein are a mixture of traditional tunes and originals (Robbie Robertson's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" is the lone cover), and taken as a whole they evoke the period of the Civil war. As John Hartford said in the original liner notes: "This almost psychic album by Jimmy Arnold comes clear more through research of the soul rather than research in a library...."



Indeed, from the opeing ballad "Jesse James" through the toe-tapping closer "Sally Ann," Arnold takes the listener back in time through a series of songs that are sometimes raucus, and at other times somber. Arnold plays a lot of the instruments himself, including rhythm and lead guitars, banjo, fiddle and harmonica. Among the guest musicians are Mike Auldridge on Dobro.



It's a shame Arnold gave up recording after this album, but it's a testament to the power of this album that it's still in print nearly a quarter of a century after its debut. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

Southern Soul With Soul

ezee5 | West Palm Beach, FL. USA | 05/30/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard Southern Soul in 1983 when I borrowed a copy from Wally Cleavers recording studio in Fredericksburg, VA. My partner Hank and I had been recording at the studio and had the good fortune to meet Jimmy Arnold. Jimmy also sat in on our sessions. I didn't know he had recorded Southern Soul until after we were done at the studio and Jimmy had left. When I heard Southern Soul It touched a part of me I didn't know was in touchable. Jimmy's gone, but his music still has his soul in it with his natural southern style and heartfelt vocals. "Thanks Jimmy""

Southern Soul is truly southern soul

David A. Lewis | Virginia | 04/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A blend of bluegrass, hillbilly, and southern country music, this is a thoroughly enjoyable work for those who like southern country music and ponder the War of Northern Aggression. You'll love it or you won't like it at all."