Customer Reviews

Country Super Hits, Vol. 1

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Prime Cuts: Honky Tonk Mood Again, I Met Jesus at a Bar, She's Got Some Magic Going On

It is audacious for any artist to name an album of all new material without any singles yet to chart, "Country Super Hits Vol. 1." It can mean one of two things: this could be mere arrant marketing embellishment or it could be that these songs are so steep with potential that they actually live up to the album's title. Overall, the scales seem to tip towards the latter. Speaking of charted hits, though Lauderdale has yet to make a splash for himself, but vicariously as a songwriter, Lauderdale has been a frequent flyer to the upper tier of the Billboard chart with songs such as "Halfway Down" (Patty Loveless), "Gonna Get a Life" (Mark Chesnutt), "Stay Out of My Arms" (George Strait) among many others. Lauderdale's keening craft for songs with a potent melodic flair and lyrics that details with reality are in spades here. Co-writing the bulk of the album with Odie Blackmon (who co-wrote George Strait's No. 1 "She'll Leave You with a Smile") plus a co-written track with Shawn Camp and then Leslie Satcher, these songs are a throwback to the honky tonk heydays of the late Buck Owens and Lefty Frizzell. Simply put, this means that country purists who have a penchant for fiddles, steel guitars and acoustic guitars are in full indulgence here.

A listen to these 13 paeans reveal why Lauderdale is among the crème de la crème of scribes in Nashville. Lauderdale's forte in painting depth and dimension to his characters in his songs are nonpareil. Starting with the irresistibly catchy "Honky Tonk Mood," a track that bears some resemblance to George Strait's "Don't Make Me Come Over There and Love You," tells of an unstoppable woman when she's in her "honky tonk mood." Even if it teeters on corny, loneliness is personified through the single guy at the bar wishing that the genie in his bottle would send him his true love in "Two Wishes." When the magic wan changes hands from the genie to the high princess of the honky tonk, "She's Got Some Magic Going On" soars with laudable praises for Lauderdale's woman, along with some blistering guitar work to boot. When the tempo simmers, "Cautious" is a steel guitar drenched mourner that takes a bow to other country dedicated minions such as George Jones.

The album's apogee comes with the Leslie Satcher-Lauderdale penned "I Met Jesus at the Bar." An acerbic narrative about how a broken-hearted man finds grace at a tavern is basked with religious imagery and well-crafted lines. Quite a poignant piece of art that indeed blows to smithereens all clichés; definitely a masterpiece for the open minded. A little more within the corpus of tradition is the mid pacer "Are You Okay" which diaries the chance meeting of two ex-lovers. The engaging unfolding of its story in such an awkward rendezvous certainly strikes a chord of affinity with those who have had been in such predicament. Going full Monty with a full blasting guitar kick, the hard churning "Single Standard Time" is obligatory in its execution. While "Playing with My Heart Strings," a track that George Strait would excel, in the hands of Lauderdale is humdrum.

Over the years, Lauderdale has had been signed to Warner Brothers, BNA Records and other lesser subsidiaries. However, many of his CDs have been wanting. Perhaps, due to his songwriting excursions for other artists, he has had never recorded some of his best works. Save for his Warner Brothers debut "Plant of Love" and 2004's "Headed for the Hills," many of his records have been given over to undisciplined indulgence pilfering its tracks from the punch needed to be hits. However, the tide is about to change with this new effort: filled with a sturdy collection of songs that ought to make the country traditional proud, this record deserves wide circulation.

You wouldn't be looking here if you didn't know Lauderdale a little, so let me just encourage you to hear this great cd. The songwriting's the thing Lauderdale is known for, and it pays the bills, I'm sure, since a lot of country stars have recorded his work. Lovers of rootsy honky tonk will prefer Lauderdale's own versions, though, with a rough-and-tumble swing missing from slicker country recordings. A very listenable cd, way better than most "radio" country, with perhaps one weak song and a handful of great ones. This is a winner.

There are two "sides" to Jim Lauderdale: his honky tonk country side (where he first made his name writing some great hits for others - as well as himself) and his "bluegrass" side, which was highlighted by a joint album with Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley in 2002. Personally I like the honky tonk side with the great "hooks" that Lauderdale puts in his songs. This CD contains 13 of them and the title is "tongue in cheek" since these are newly written and the title is a "vision" that they will be "Country Super Hits". Heck most Country radio stations play only the big "hat" acts and the young new singers. So, in order to hear Lauderdale do his thing, you'll have to get the CD. But you won't be disappointed. If you liked his previous non-bluegrass albums, this one will not disappoint you.

Steve Ramm

Perhaps the title threw you off. These are all new songs by Jim. This is his best straight up country album and certainly the most commercial-radio friendly without being bastardized by schlocky pop production. "I Met Jesus In a Bar" is the standout track, with some stompers and ballads interwoven nicely throughout. Buy this is you like Jim's songwriting and delivery or if you like George Jones era classics. You won't go wrong. Trust Jim.

With a title like "Country Super Hits" (Vol 1, no less), one anticipates a lyrically strong, wryly observed, ironic album from one of America's least-known singer songwriters. Unfortunately, the irony goes no further than the title.

It sounds very much like Lauderdale, having had enough of being ignored by country radio, decided to record a straight-ahead album of classic country songs, and dare country DJs to ignore it. The songs here (almost all co-written with Odie Blackmun) are all acceptable stuff you might hear on any country station. You'd think "that was pretty good", but have no urge to call the station to ask "Who was THAT?!"

Disappointing. Even "I Met Jesus in a Bar", which you would expect (from Lauderdale) to have some clever or heart-felt lyrics, is presented as pretty straightforward country fare. Not enough humour in it to take it as parody (which it should have been ), but just too stretched a joke to make more than a novelty song.

All in all, Lauderdale proves that he can channel Gerge Jones (Super Hits, Vol.1), but WHY? Jones does his own thing very well, and has plenty of clones. Nobody does what Jim Lauderdale does (or used to). I wish he'd get back to it.

I also find myself more inclined to enjoy Jim's honky tonk side (although I own all his Bluegrass offerings). This CD was an immediate hit from the start. I liked every track. Alot. Especially on thru "I Met Jesus at the Bar", which he co-wrote with Leslie Satchel. Not since the very early days (Planet or Love / Pretty Close to the Truth) have I enjoyed a Lauderdale disc this much. Head for the Hills, was a close third. I can't quite put my finger on what makes a song a winner but the hooks are infectious, the singing honest & there is an immediate warm connection to this brand of Jim Lauderdale music that makes it so enjoyable. I keep thinking he deserves a better fate, but he is one prolific son of a gun, releasing material annually, sometimes 2 LPs a year. More of this Jim, please.