Yep Roc Records (2007)

The release of Jim Lauderdale’s The Bluegrass Diaries heralds a standout collection of tunes from a Nashville veteran. A well-known Music City hit-maker for the likes of George Jones, Lauderdale stands to draw listeners with a modern sense as well as country traditionalists with Diaries, which is fresh off a Grammy win for Best Bluegrass Album.

Producer Randy Kohrs sets up a simple sound that allows Lauderdale’s straight-up performances to do most of the work. The band performs with facility, hitting the breakdown when it comes their way but playing in the backfield when the song needs to speak.

Each song is a journal entry, telling of love lost and found. The opener, “This Is the Last Time I’m Ever Gonna Hurt,” has a chorus bound for sing-along glory, while the minor-key “Looking For a Good Place To Land” would fit nicely on an Allison Krauss album. Listeners who love country ballads can get their fill on the heartbreakers “I Wanted To Believe” and “Are You Having Second Thoughts.” The fiddle and dobro licks on the latter resemble the pedal-steel guitars that pine their way through sad country songs, punctuating Lauderdale’s questioning lyrics about a relationship gone south.

The sunny “My Somewhere Just Got Here” features Lauderdale’s nuanced lyric treatment, acting as a kind of remedy to “Second Thoughts.” Follow that up with the waltz “It’s Such a Long Journey Home” and we’re about ready to dance.

Finally, the record wouldn’t be complete without a few fast ones. First is “One Blue Mule,” featuring breaks by guitarist Clay Hess, fiddler Aaron Till and mandolin player Jesse Cobb. Last is “Ain’t No Way To Run,” featuring banjo licks from Richard Bailey and an extended outro with breaks passed all around. As the final track, it is the only to fade out, giving the impression the guys could keep on pickin’ forever.