|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZGILMORE, Jimmie Dale(b 6 May 1945, Amarillo TX) Singer, songwriter. Moved to Lubbock as a child, met Butch Hancock, Terry Allen and Joe Ely; he and Ely were impressed by an album by a hitchhiker Ely had picked up: it was Townes Van Zandt. The spirit of Jimmie Rodgers was alive, and they were all aware of Buddy Holly, even if Lubbock didn't seem to care. Gilmore played and sang with Ely and Hancock on the legendary Flatlanders album in 1972 (unreleased until One More Road '80 on Charly UK, then CD More A Legend Than A Band '90 on Rounder, the band then revived 30 years after that first album). He performed in the Lubbock area, but was distracted for some years by other pursuits, though always writing songs. After recording nothing at all, studying with a guru for six years, he emerged as one of the brightest stars in the Texas cosmos. His first two albums Fair And Square '87 and Jimmie Dale Gilmore '89 on Hightone were reissued on one CD by Demon; there are great songs by Ely, Van Zandt, Hancock ('Red Chevrolet', 'Just A Wave, Not The Water') and others as well as Jimmie's own (e.g. 'Dallas', aka 'Did You Ever See Dallas From A DC-9 At Night?', previously covered by Ely), and a cover of the big 1956 hit 'Singing The Blues'. Lloyd Maines is all over the place, co-producing one set as well as playing and singing; the sound of the 20 tracks is that of a Texas dance hall. Two Roads '90 was recorded live in Australia with Butch, on Virgin Australia or Caroline in USA. After Awhile '91 on Elektra is a lean, classy production, by Stephen Bruton, and all Jimmie -- 'Some [songs] that I wrote a long time ago and have wanted to record for a long, long time' -- except for Butch's 'My Mind's Got A Mind Of Its Own', a romp with hot mandolin by Paul Glasse and Butch singing harmony. Spinning Around The Sun '93 on Elektra seemed to enter the mainstream, transcending category (nominated for a Grammy as contemporary folk), produced by Emory Gordy Jr, and pays some dues, with Hank Williams's 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry', and 'I Was The One', the hoary Elvis Presley rockaballad from '56. There are four of Jimmie's songs and two of Butch's (a new version, even better, of 'Just A Wave') and others. Gilmore's fragile voice and his way with a phrase hold them all together. Braver Newer World '96 was produced by T-Bone Burnett, slightly slicker than usual, but the unique voice and real-life songs haven't changed. You can believe this man. |