Album Review

* * * JIMMIE DALE GILMORE; “Spinning Around the Sun”; Elektra Terms like “yin and twang” have been coined in valiant attempts to describe this Texas mystic, who represents the gentler, cerebral side of the mythic Lone Star state of independence. He’s blessed with an unrefined nasal voice that sounds like it’s coming from an old Victrola (think Willie Nelson, time-traveled back to the ‘20s) and a keen eye for each grain of dirt in the Texan landscape.

He’s made the most of both in this collection of poetic, earthy character studies and relationship dissections, complemented by two songs written by kindred spirit Butch Hancock and ace Nashville musicianship often leaning toward sweet ‘50s nostalgia.

Only versions of the traditional “Mobile Line” (too corny) and Hank Sr.’s “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” (too obvious) disturb the flow of what is otherwise an unassuming gem.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four stars (excellent).