Headed for the Hills

Jim Lauderdale | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 18, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dualtone Music Group
• ASIN: B0001Z2R8W
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,780 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #62 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Strings > General
  • #94 in Music > World Music > North America > Appalachian

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars stories and melodies come together, September 3, 2004

By 

Patrick M. Robey "robey" (a capitol city) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Headed for the Hills (Audio CD)

I purchased this cd about two months ago and have listened to it about 15 times. Originally, I purchased it on a whim due to Robert Hunter's participation in the lyric process. I have so much music it is hard to listen to something often, but this cd I am calling the best release of 2004 (thus far). Go inside the stories, hear the tunes. This cd really is a winner cover to cover. 5 stars is only reserved for *really* good albums. This is one.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Good, June 30, 2004

By 

tanner llewellyn (Manakin Sabot, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Headed for the Hills (Audio CD)

I had a hunch that I would like this CD. I had never heard Jim Lauderdale's music before "Headed for the Hills", but I had heard of him, and being a fan of Robert Hunter, I knew this would be a good place to hear him for the first time. One thing that almost held me back from getting this CD was the thought, "what if Hunter's lyrics are really bad?" I dig almost every song Hunter ever wrote with Jerry Garcia, but I don't have the same confidence in Hunter's ability to write for other Dead members and stay away from any post-Jerry songs that Hunter has written for the Dead because, in my opinion, they can't stand up to the classic ones he wrote with Garcia. The first time I listened to this CD I could tell that the lyrics weren't bad, but I wasn't sure I liked the phrasing or singing style of Lauderdale. However, I felt compelled to listen again. It's funny how differently music sounds the first time you're hearing it compared to when you've become accustomed to it. I scrutinized the lyrics and was ready to be very critical of them. Fortunately, after listening to this CD over a half dozen times now, I can say there isn't much to criticize about it. I quickly got over my aversion to Lauderdale's voice and phrasing. It sounds extremely natural. It's really starting to sink in. The melodies, which I understand were written by Lauderdale, take shape after time and start to stand out. The one or two songs that have yet to win me over probably will eventually. If I had to criticize anything it would be that although the musicianship is top notch, a lot of guests sit in, it is rather conservative at times. I would like to have heard a little bit more "music" between verses, but that's not too big of an issue. This album is going to make me a fan of Jim Lauderdale. I'm already planning on buying the album he did with Donna the Buffalo called "Wait 'Til Spring" and the one he did with Ralph Stanley called "Lost in the Lonesome Pines". I may even get more after that. With Lauderdale, Hunter has found a new voice for his words, and I hope to see the two on them collaborate again in the future.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars + 1/2 stars...A Thoroughly Satisfying Album, November 5, 2004

By 

Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Headed for the Hills (Audio CD)

Over the past several years, Jim Lauderdale has become my favorite singer/songwriter. While HEADED FOR THE HILLS is not the overtly bluegrass album as his two collaborations with Ralph Stanley, there are enough dobros, fiddles and mandolins to make this one of the most satisfying albums of Lauderdale's career.

In addition to guest musicians like Emmylou Harris, Tim O'Brien and Gillian Welch, lyricist Robert Hunter co-wrote each of these 13 tracks with Lauderdale, lending the album a backporch feel missing from much of today's country music. Even the idiosyncratic country sounds of Donna the Buffalo on "Upside Down" fit nicely on this collection of old timey country songs. Highlights include "High Timberline," "Crazy Peg and Darby Doyle" and "Head for the Sun." HIGHLY RECOMMENDED