Lauderdale's Best Yet
06/01/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I always enjoy Jim Lauderdale's way with melody & lyrics,and have to say that "The Hummingbirds" is a real winner! His versatility is displayed in such diverse songs as the bluegrass finale "New Cascade"; the sobering & soulful "I Know Better Now"; a jazzy romp of tumbling lyrics in "It's a Trap"; and "Eternal" is a whimsical, melodic glimpse of falling in love. All 13 cuts invite you to listen & enjoy again & again.This prolific songwriter has provided hit material for so many country artists, and certainly this time it's his turn to shine. "Lost in the Lonesome Pines," his simultaneously-released CD partnered with Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys, is authentic bluegrass and should receive acclaim in the music industry. At the same time, this CD is deserving of accolades in its own right. Even a casual listen will leave you with crossed fingers that mainstream country radio will finally treat the general public to Lauderdale's own recordings, and anything from "The Hummingbirds" seems the most likely source to date. If you enjoy quality & timeless music, I highly recommend this one!"
Jim Lauderdale's best (so far)
Stephen | Fredericksburg, VA | 05/06/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I really like Jim Lauderdale's last few albums (including his collaborations with Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mt Boys); but this is my favorite. Diverse, yet unified; he touches varied moods and styles with a twangy country feel ending the set with the very traditional fiddle tune sound of "New Cascade". The Hummingbirds features great support from a variety of country and bluegrass pickers and singers. Do yourself a favor and get this one."
The Real Deal
Daniel H. Yeary | St. Petersburg, Fl United States | 10/18/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I like the range of the compositions on this CD. Lauderdale is one of those rare artists that seem to be able to put out material that is all over the place, yet it all sounds worthy of each genre. That applies to a few songs on here, anyway....the majority are in the country vein, of course.One thing that I like about him is that he seems to have a genuine respect for Country music's roots without an iota of irony that you see in so many 'alt-country' stars."