Jim Lauderdale is both eclectic and prolific, working steadfastly within the
americana/ roots field, recording and releasing a slew of projects with everyone from
bluegrass legend
Ralph Stanley to jam band
Donna the Buffalo. In his latest incarnation, he has simultaneously released two projects, one, Country Super Hits, Vol. 1, delving into classic
honky tonk, the other, Bluegrass, delving deeply into
country music's most rustic subgenre. On the first of these outings,
Lauderdale shares co-writing credits with
Odie Blackmon,
Leslie Satcher, and
Shawn Camp on a lucky 13, drawing deep from
country music's roots. The "classic" sound is greatly aided by the ache in
Lauderdale's vocals -- he sounds like a
country boy -- and full-band arrangements that include steel, fiddle, and piano. What's the biggest difference between
Lauderdale's
country and yesteryear's? His lyrics, while generally mimicking older themes, avoid
country's more absurd moments and metaphors (though "I Met Jesus in a Bar" comes close).
Lauderdale and company also offer a roots sound that has more in common with
neo-traditional honky tonk (think '80s)
country than
Hank Williams and
Lefty Frizzell. This is a roundabout way of saying that Country Super Hits, Vol. 1 will never be confused with
contemporary country, but neither will it be confused with the rustic sounds of
Ernest Tubb. Yes, a song like "She's Got Some Magic Going On" does remind one of
Buck Owens, but this is an exception. As with much of
alternative country, there's always a question of whether the artist is repeating the past: classic
honky tonk (from the '40s to the '80s), after all, is only an online order away. But
alternative country fans will appreciate
Lauderdale's refresher course on Country Super Hits, Vol. 1, and more than likely want to pick up the Bluegrass collection, too. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide
