I had the opportunity to interview Jim Lauderdale about some records that keep him going. I covered a song from his last record, Patchwork River here. Five Records is an occasional feature of artists talking about the music that inspires them. Read more of these posts here.
“I saw The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show and I knew that music was what I wanted to do. My mom was a choir director, and my dad had a really good voice, so I grew up in a musical home. It was such an interesting time in radio. You heard great stuff like this record, as well as the other British Invasion stuff, country music, soul music, all together.”
“When I was 14, I got into bluegrass, and I wanted to be a banjo player. I heard “Rank Stranger” by Ralph Monroe, on a collection of Bill Monroe songs, and I would sing along, trying to tackle Ralph’s tenor parts. Such great music from a man whose career I respect.”
“I can’t really listen to music while I am writing — I get distracted, or worry that I am going to steal something subconsciously. Lately, I have been listening to this record a whole lot. Buddy and Julie have such a distinct sound, and such distinct voices, but they blend so well that it has that magic quality. I got to sing with them on a couple of tracks on Robert Plant’s new Band of Joy record, and it was great to be a part of that.”
“I hear songs all the time that I wish were mine, but one that stands out is Otis Redding’s “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long”. Its a simple, well written song, with great production that centers around his voice. Songs like these give me something to aspire to with my own music.”
“These guys are from Knoxville, Tennessee, and are doing the right things — writing good music and working hard. Cruz Contreras has a great voice, and I think they have a chance to see some real success if they keep this up.”
Jim Lauderdale – “Jawbone”
