Pretty Close to the Truth

Amazon.com
Imagine a country singer who has written songs for George Strait, Vince Gill, and Dave Edmunds, and who recorded his new album with members of Lucinda Williams's and Dave Alvin's bands. You don't have to imagine, because that singer is Jim Lauderdale, and his second album, Pretty Close to the Truth, suggests he's the missing link between Dwight Yoakam and John Hiatt. Lauderdale is a California country-rocker who takes his cue not from the Eagles but from Buck Owens and Creedence. Lauderdale's trump card is his melodic gift. "This is the Big Time," for example, draws a cunning analogy between a show-biz career and a romantic relationship. What really sells the song, though, is the big, juicy hook, stated first in the singing steel guitar and then in Lauderdale's swaggering, Jerry Lee Lewis-style vocal. The Gram Parsons-inspired "Run Like You" features lazy verses and a chorus that builds inexorably toward a big melodic payoff. On "Don't Trust Me," Lauderdale warns a new lover to beware of his lies, but the tune is so sweet and seductive that she's likely to ignore his advice. He has a big, powerful tenor voice, but his delivery sounds like the most natural thing in the world, whether he's reminding us of Chris Isaak on "Divide and Conquer" or Percy Sledge on "Why Do I Love You?" Lauderdale's lyrics are more clever than deep, but he has a knack for linking his rocking rhythms so closely to his honky-tonk melodies that you can barely tell them apart. --Geoffrey Himes

Tracks:

This Is The Big Time
I'm On Your Side
Why Do I Love You?
Divide And Conquer
Grace's Song
Run Like You
Can't Find Mary
Don't Trust Me
Three Way Conversation
Pretty Close To The Truth
When The Devil Starts Crying

Amazon.com

Imagine a country singer who has written songs for George Strait, Vince Gill, and Dave Edmunds, and who recorded his new album with members of Lucinda Williams's and Dave Alvin's bands. You don't have to imagine, because that singer is Jim Lauderdale, and his second album, Pretty Close to the Truth, suggests he's the missing link between Dwight Yoakam and John Hiatt. Lauderdale is a California country-rocker who takes his cue not from the Eagles but from Buck Owens and Creedence. Lauderdale's trump card is his melodic gift. "This is the Big Time," for example, draws a cunning analogy between a show-biz career and a romantic relationship. What really sells the song, though, is the big, juicy hook, stated first in the singing steel guitar and then in Lauderdale's swaggering, Jerry Lee Lewis-style vocal. The Gram Parsons-inspired "Run Like You" features lazy verses and a chorus that builds inexorably toward a big melodic payoff. On "Don't Trust Me," Lauderdale warns a new lover to beware of his lies, but the tune is so sweet and seductive that she's likely to ignore his advice. He has a big, powerful tenor voice, but his delivery sounds like the most natural thing in the world, whether he's reminding us of Chris Isaak on "Divide and Conquer" or Percy Sledge on "Why Do I Love You?" Lauderdale's lyrics are more clever than deep, but he has a knack for linking his rocking rhythms so closely to his honky-tonk melodies that you can barely tell them apart. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

if you like this type of music, buy it.......2004-06-25

Owned it since it came out and never tire of it.
It is also produced and backed by the great guitar/artist Gurf Morlix, former producer and back up to Lucinda Williams. If you like this genre of music, it is a must have.

Pretty Close to the perfect album.......2004-01-08

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The Great Jim Lauderdale has country music's Midas Touch; his voice is distinctly emotive and the people he plays and hangs out with (Emmylou, Dwight, Buddy Miller) are equally grand......

Jim's debut album "PLANET of LOVE" is also very well worth searching out, but hard to find and pricey, but what a Platet to visit!
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Jim's Gold.

A wonderful CD.......2003-03-02

Even though I am writing this in 2003, I have owned this CD for several years. I used to travel (road trips) a great deal with my work, and many was the day and night I would drive the roads of VA singing along to this CD. Another great one Jim! Congrats on the Grammy!

Jesus DOES know how to dance!.......1999-04-14

This IS American music. PERIOD. Imagine a Holy Ghost choir made up of Howlin' Wolf, Dylan, and Hank, Sr. And all the while you're held securly in your mother's arms as she dances with joy around the altar while the choir just flat TEARS IT UP! A week hasn't gone by in five years that I haven't marveled at this man's music. As good as it gets for poetry, beauty and truth, and done with a smile.

hank meets brian........1999-03-14

poignant and pop. hank williams meets brian wilson. damn near perfect

Music Album:

Music Album