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Title: This guy can SING!
Review: I am of the opinion that a proper country record cannot be made these days unless Jim Lauderdale sings the harmonies. Folks like Lucinda Williams, Buddy Miller, the fabulous Chris Gaffney and Dwight Yoakum agree with me. Everyone raves about Jim Lauderdale's songwriting ability (and it is AWESOME in its power!), but I never read much about what a great singer he is. Listen to this record and see what I mean. Start with Merle World, Honky Tonk Haze, First Things First and go from there. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I think the Del Reeves/Lauderdale version of Diesel, Diesel, Diesel on the Rig Rock Deluxe record is better. This is a hard country record with enough steel guitar (which means a BUNCH). Lauderdale's voice blends so perfectly with the steel that you'll be in Honky Tonk Heaven.
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