(Dualtone) Jim Lauderdale has never been one to rest on his laurels or stay in one place. He's always on the move, experimenting and exploring seemingly every corner of country and Americana music. His latest release finds him fulfilling a longtime dream of recording an album entirely composed of songs written with one of his heroes, Robert Hunter. Robert is best known for his work with Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead. Jim's collaboration with Robert on Headed For The Hills doesn't come out of the blue. Jim had approached Robert 5 years ago about co-writing and Robert graciously agreed to it. Robert would send Jim his lyrics and Jim would set them to music. Although many people may not realize it, Jim has already recorded some of these earlier co-written songs. "Joy, Joy, Joy" and "I Will Wait For You" appear on I Feel Like Singing Today, Jim's first album with Ralph Stanley. "Trust (Guiding Star)" appears on Jim's album Onward Through It All, and two other Hunter/Lauderdale co-writes, "Deep Well Of Sadness" and "Oh Soul!," appear on Jim's second album with Ralph, Lost In The Lonesome Pines.

For Headed For The Hills, they reversed their usual writing process and this time Jim sent Robert the melodies and Robert wrote lyrics to fit the melodies. The resulting album is an acoustic effort for which Jim recruited a strong all-star lineup. Musicians include Tim O'Brien, Darrell Scott, Byron House, David Rawlings, Randy Kohrs, Bucky Baxter, Pat McGrath and Tim Coates. Harmony vocals are provided by Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Randy Kohrs, Buddy Miller and Allison Moorer. There's also a reprise of his collaboration last year with Donna The Buffalo.

Much of the album finds Jim returning to bluegrass territory. "High Timberline" is a lovely, gentle waltz, while the outstanding title track "Headed For The Hills" and the whimsical "Trashcan Tomcat" are mountain country-blues. A gripping civil war tale is told with the powerful "Sandy Ford (Barbara Lee)." "Leavin Mobile" is a jaunty, old-timey road song about rambling ways and another standout, "Crazy Peg And Darby Doyle," is done in a traditional mountain ballad style that revolves around an 'outlaw' couple. Jim touches on the spiritual side with a pair of songs, "Paint And Glass" and the gospel influenced "I'll Sing Again."

The rest of songs on Headed For The Hills are more straight acoustic country rather than bluegrass. Although "Looking Elsewhere" features prominent dobro and mandolin, it has one of those trademark quirky, off kilter Lauderdale melodies. The truly lovely ballad "Tales From The Sad Hotel" is an aching tale of heartbreak, while the melancholy "Joanne" is a lament of a love lost and the wish for a second chance. Jim delivers the terrific "Head For The Sun" as a tender, swaying ballad. "Upside Down" is the only song on the album that uses drums on this slightly jazzy-funky collaboration with Donna The Buffalo that still has a rootsy feel and fits perfectly with the rest of the album.

Jim Lauderdale has delivered some irresistible, winning melodies to which Robert Hunter has written some amazing lyrics that tell strong stories and convey deep emotion. Backed by some of the best musical talent around, they give the songs an added texture and depth that makes them jump to vivid life. Once again, Jim Lauderdale follows his own muse and the resulting Headed For The Hills is the newest edition to what's becoming a long string of solid, first rate Lauderdale albums.    

Standout Tracks:  "Looking Elsewhere," "Sandy Ford (Barbara Lee)," "Headed For The Hills," "Tales From The Sad Hotel," "Crazy Peg And Darby Doyle," "I'll Sing Again," "Head For The Sun"

On The Net:  www.jimlauderdale.com www.dualtone.com

AnnMarie Harrington TakeCountryBack May 2004