Track List

Lauderdale transcends commercial mainstream country, but he does not "pop" up his country; still, neither is he an outspoken outlaw.  He does wave the flag for traditional country, but still manages to ride proudly, although half-hidden, in the middle of the stream -- his songs are played equally on mainstream commercial stations as well as on Americana and Roots stations.

With quiet determination, he keeps to his chosen course.  Jim has appeared several times on the Grand Ole Opry in the last several months, sparkling in traditional Nudie suits, his piercing, intent eyes taking in life's quirks and storing them up for future use in his poignant, observant songs. Jim also recently showed another side of his talent by appearing as George Jones in the stage adaptation of the life of Tammy Wynette at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, proving he can not only write, but croon like the Possum himself. 

But while not an outlaw, there is no doubt that Jim knows and loves his roots; he writes and sings a country song.  "The Other Sessions" is one of the finest examples of a pure country disc I've heard in a long time.  Jim himself proudly calls it "Hard Country."  "It's all tradition-based heavy steel guitar-type stuff," he's quoted as saying, and he's not wrong.

It's also an unusual disc in that it eschews the commonplace style of today's usual packaging -- there is no slick CD booklet, no lyrics, no flashy pictures.  The front of the disc simply has a few words proclaiming artist and title, and there is a single snapshot on the back of Jim and his guitar sitting in a row of theatre seats next to a listing of the songs.

Inside, a one-fold insert tells the song titles, writers, and pickers, along with Jim's hefty listing of "thank-yous."  That's it.  But Jim Lauderdale doesn t need slick packaging.  His work stands magnificently alone without extras.

Jim wrote all 12 tracks on "The Other Sessions," often teaming with some of the absolute cream of the songwriting crop.  There are collaborations with Melba Montgomery; Leslie Satcher; Kostas; the late, great Harlan Howard; and the Texas underground gem, Clay Blaker.  He gathers up an impressive team of Nashville musicians to back him, then produces the whole with the assistance of Tim Coats (except one track, produced by Luke Wooten).

Jim kicks off in high gear with the delightful "If I Were You," his light, friendly tenor caressing the words to a steel-and-fiddle-drenched looking-for-love-with-the-right-person song, a "we're friends, but you should love me" story.  Jim's way with words is clear right from the top of the first bar: "Hey girl, we've been friends for so long/and I've always been your shoulder when you cry/now you're asking how to end your heartache/I'm tellin' you right now take my advice/If I were you, then I'd love me forever."  The next track, "Just To Get To You," has a cheerful, almost calypso beat but a deep country twang.  He goes on in that vein, and doesn't let up on that "hard country" he promises.

Jim shines on every track, from the soulful sounds of "I'd Follow You Anywhere" to the obligatory truck-drivin' song, "Diesel, Diesel, Diesel" (appropriately enough, co-written with Del Reeves).  He toys with concepts, such as in "Merle World," which is exactly as it sounds, a two-step about a man who has to go "home" to them swingin' doors since she left.  He stays for a time in Bakersfield with "Honky-Tonk Haze," but doesn't stick strictly with one style of country - he's comfortable with them all, as long as it's pure and it's country.  "First Things First" is Texas-flavored country-rock, while "You'll Know When It's Right," co-penned with Harlan Howard, recalls the golden age of Nashville.  "Born Believers" swings hard country-rock with some excellent wordplay, and Jim wraps it up with a rich country-waltz, "It's Not Too Late," written with Texas favorite, Clay Blaker.

This is a Real Country listen, and a real good album.  And check out www.jimlauderdale.com -- he's got an extensive and impressive website there, with a couple of his albums for sale and lots of good stuff to read. 

Kathy Coleman Take Country Back April 2002