Jim Lauderdale has always followed his muse wherever it moseyed. In recent years he’s collaborated with bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley and rootsy jam-band favorites Donna the Buffalo. This latest disc, a songwriting collaboration with Robert Hunter, should presumably fall somewhere in between. But despite the psychedelic baggage Robert Hunter’s association with the Grateful Dead carries, his songwriting has always been grounded in country and roots motifs (see American Beauty’s “Ripple,” “Brokedown Palace” and “Box of Rain”). So instead of creating twanging Head music, Lauderdale and Hunter have created a hickory-smoked batch of tunes that proves one of the best traditional releases of the year. Of course it doesn’t hurt that Lauderdale is one of the strongest singer/songwriters out there, investing all the considerable charms of his high, lonesome baritone behind the tunes. And he’s ably backed by some excellent bluegrass and country players, including Tim O’Brien, Bryan Sutton and Bucky Baxter. Headed For The Hills is a remarkable effort that finds striking originality in exploring some of the oldest strains of American music.
Tim Sheridan, Paste Magazine
Track Listing
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1. High Timberline
Robert Hunter/Jim Lauderdale -
2. Looking Elsewhere
Robert Hunter/Jim Lauderdale -
3. Sandy Ford (Barbara Lee)
Robert Hunter/Jim Lauderdale -
4. Headed For The Hills
Robert Hunter/Jim Lauderdale -
5. Trashcan Tomcat
Robert Hunter/Jim Lauderdale -
6. Paint and Glass
Robert Hunter/Jim Lauderdale -
7. Tales From The Sad Hotel
Robert Hunter/Jim Lauderdale -
8. Crazy Peg and Darby Doyle
Robert Hunter/Jim Lauderdale -
9. Leaving Mobile
Robert Hunter/Jim Lauderdale -
10. Joanne
Robert Hunter/Jim Lauderdale -
11. I'll Sing Again
Robert Hunter/Jim Lauderdale -
12. Head For The Sun
Robert Hunter/Jim Lauderdale -
13. Upside Down
Robert Hunter/Jim Lauderdale