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According to his current label, Yep Roc, the ultra-prolific Jim Lauderdale plans to release three stylistically disparate albums in nine months. Two are already out: last fall he issued a fine bluegrass outing called The Bluegrass Diaries and in February he released Honey Songs, which doesn’t fall neatly into any category. (The third will be a collaboration with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, their second effort together.) The dominant feel on Honey Songs is the cosmic vibe of chill 70s country, but Lauderdale’s songs embrace and transcend just about every style of American music. Bluegrass, honky-tonk, soul, rock ‘n’ roll–they all collide and coexist with little fanfare.
Lauderdale plays solo on a diverse roots-music bill dubbed “The American Beauty Project” Saturday night with Ollabelle, Larry Campbell, Catherine Russell, and Teresa Williams at Dominican University in River Forest.
