Jim Lauderdale – My Favorite Place
This singer-songwriter may be on an independent label but he’s an artist that’s a major talent & he’s been around the barn a few times. It’s instantly recognizable when he starts his new set with “My Favorite Place.” He’s in there tight with cool methods used by Clint Black, George Strait & Garth Brooks. It has the songwriting mystique of the late Townes van Zandt & Guy Clark. And he’s consistent with his quality.
The gourmet blend of his material is in his country definition which includes storytelling that rivals John Prine & Guy Clark (“Mrs. Green”) which is exceptional. It isn’t mere country music when the themes, subjects & approach almost have an undefinable quality.
Noel Harrison (you heard right) decades ago had an album called “Collage” filled with similar songs not written by him. He sang Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne,” excellently, then followed with Geoffrey Williams’ “Mrs. William’s Rose” & “People In the Rain,” all similar in flavor to some of Lauderdale’s tales. Definitely with “Mrs. Green,” & the wonderful “The Lightning Tree.”
There are 11 destinations on this set but My Favorite Place (Drops June 21/Sky Crunch Records/36:32) produced by Jay Weaver (bass/tambourine) & Jim Lauderdale will provide many interesting attractions. Not everything is innovative & different but when they’re not they’re safely traditional. Jim has quaint, memorable melodies in many of his clever songs. Always has. Would I like to hear Jim do something more challenging, yes. But this is his comfort zone & he does it well.
There are some definitive rockers among the places Jim visits on this excursion. His voice is aptly suited to the more aggressive tunes & though some are wholly standard fun country songs (“I’m a Lucky Loser”) Jim’s voice does have a Townes van Zandt feel though he doesn’t perform anything remotely dark as “Waitin’ Around To Die.” That’s his call.
After listening to this album in its entirety it’s obvious Lauderdale is still a good contemporary country entertainer. And that in itself is an art form.
Highlights – “My Favorite Place,” “Mrs. Green,” “Lightning Tree,” “You’ll Be Gone By Then,” “Don’t You Treat ‘Em That Way,” “We Ought To Celebrate,” “I’m a Lucky Loser” & “You’ve Got To Shine.”
Musicians – Craig Smith (acoustic/lead electric guitar), Bob Minner & Wes L’Angolis (acoustic guitars), Chris Scruggs & Kenny Vaughn (lead electric guitar), Catherine Styron Marks (piano/B3), Micah Hulshcher (piano/organ/B3), Robbie Crowell (piano), Tommy Detamore, Steve Hinson & Will Van Horn (pedal steel), Tim Couch (fiddle), Walter Hartman, Dave Racine & Pat Bubert (drums), Lillie Mae Rische (bgv) & Frank Rische (harmony vocal).
CD cover image courtesy of Mike Dunn. CD @ https://www.jimlauderdalemusic.com/ & https://jimlauderdale.bandcamp.com/album/my-favorite-place
Enjoy our interview here: Key to the Highway: Jim Lauderdale