This is not a new CD, nor is it the newest by Gilmore. It is his best, however.

When I was first experimenting with country music I would watch CMT and once, maybe twice, I caught a video made for “My Mind’s Got A Mind of It’s Own” by Jimmie Dale Gilmore. The lyrics showed a wicked wit: “My mind’s got a mind of it’s own. Takes me walking when I ‘d rather stay at home. Takes me out to parties when I’d rather be alone.” Gilmore is backed up by fiddle, mandolin, and acoustic guitar. It is the sort of song that makes a listener want to buy the CD. However, it took me about eight months to track it down. The good news is that it is now easier to find (click on the link above), but I doubt if this means Jimmie is now better known.

Jimmie Dale came to mind recently when I was watching MTV and heard several popular recording artist’s mention him as an inspiration. I pulled out that first CD and was again captured by his simple tunes that are rendered intelligent by his expressive lyrics and ethereal voice. He has a twangy sort of vocal style that soothes and runs over his melodies like a clear brook over stones. The key to each of the songs on his CDs is simplicity. His love song pleads, “Treat Me Like A Saturday Night.” His voice is soft, tremulous, but still resonant and forceful. The force comes from some inner vision that invites the listener to only guess at what he sees. His lyrics tinker with how people tell themselves one thing while wanting or thinking another. Rock and popular radio tunes along with traditional country, folk and blues inspire Gilmore’s work, but he sounds like no one but Jimmie Dale Gilmore – and that is an amazing thing.

Occasionally he plays with the band The Flatlanders. “South Wind of Summer” is a song of theirs featured on the soundtrack for The Horse Whisperer.