Jim Lauderdale's Headed for the Hills includes some of the favorite singers and pickers in bluegrass and acoustic music, such as Emmylou Harris, Tim O'Brien, Gillian Welch, Buddy Miller, Bryan Sutton, Allison Moorer, David Rawlings, Byron House and Darrell Scott. These stellar musicians help to smooth out some of Lauderdale's rough edges of singing (although his style is popular with some folks that prefer the more "roots" sound of music).

The recording is enjoyable except for the chronic flatness of Lauderdale's singing, which also tends to sound whiny. I recommend it for the songs -- penned with Grateful Dead songwriter Robert Hunter -- and the musicianship of the guests.

Tracks include "High Timberline," "Trashcan Tomcat," "Tales from the Sad Hotel," "Crazy Peg and Darby Doyle," "Head for the Sun" and "Upside Down."

- Rambles
written by Paulette Isaacs
published 30 July 2005