Comments on: Jim Ford “Harlan County”

By: Joshua Bonder

Joshua Bonder — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:49:00 +0000

Just picked up “Sounds of our Time” this week, and what a thrilling discovery it has been! The original “Harlan County” album is a terrific slab of white soul/funk with a bit of country swagger. That said, the bonus tracks make “Sounds of our Time” the disc to purchase. Songs like Chain Gang, She Turns my Radio On, Linda Comes Running, Rising Sign and Go Through Sunday are to my ears the equal or greater than the original album itself, and are presently worming their way deep into my brain. Great songs by a sadly overlooked artist, but go for the Bear Family release if you have the chance.

By: daniel

daniel — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 05:21:43 +0000

I loved the record, gritty ,funky and at times very poetic but why on earth has Nick Lowe continued to spread the rumor(even on N.P.R radio!) about Jim Ford being the true author of Bobbie Gentry’s Ode to Billie Joe? I”ve reseached the song, Bobbie donated her creative rough drafts to The Un. Of Mississippi forty years ago,.Its solid proof the work is hers even the places in the song ,TheTallahatche Bridge andChoctaw Ridge ,are real places from her childhood memories. It’s shameful that Bear Family Records had the audacity to print this slander in the linernotes without a shred of proof. Nick Lowe should have read his own quote about Ford”Jim Fords reputation was not the best” ” He told a lot of terrible stories and use to bend the truth a bit”

By: Len Liechti

Len Liechti — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:18:10 +0000

If this country/soul crossover appeals, I recommend the two volumes of the compilation Country Got Soul on Casual Records, 2003 and 2004 and still in print, which take as their start point Tony Joe White (who wouldn’t?) and feature lots of other artists in a similar vein including Jim Ford, Bobbie Gentry, Townes Van Zandt, Dan Penn, Donnie Fritts, Sandra Rhodes, Bonnie Bramlett, Travis Wammack, etc. Neck-hair-raising stuff, and absolutely tops when driving alone in the wee small hours.

By: Jody

Jody — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:10:33 +0000

Hey! Have you ever heard the Koobas/Harlan County record? I’ve tried finding it to no avail.

xo,
Jody/ When You Awake

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:24:16 +0000

Jim Ford’s sound is undeniably tied to his association with Sly and the Family Stones and Bobby Womack. It’s deeply funk and soul infused, roots that lead toward southern gospel. And while the country may have cultivated his lyrics, the city shaped his sound. If you listened to this album without knowing who Jim Ford was (not that we really do) or where Harlan County is, then this album would undoubtedly be filed in the R&B/Soul/Funk section. It’s as far away from country as the Trump World Tower.

But, at the same time, it’s a perfect example of ‘lost’ americana. I purchased this album (sound of our times) at the same time I purchased Link Wray’s Three Track Chicken Shack (thank you Rising Storm and Aquarium Drunkard for the recommendations) and in one swipe of the credit card, discovered two distinct sounds that I’d been scouring the record bins and the internet for years to find.

By: Louder than Milk

Louder than Milk — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:35:13 +0000

If there is a category for Best One And Only Album by an artist, I’d go for this one. A true classic. And extreme, red zone type credit for the record label who released Sounds Of… Big Mouth USA and other unreleased trax are wonderful as well and a true indicator this guy wasn’t a one off……one off.

By: hambone

hambone — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:28:42 +0000

It’s Sunday morning coming down and i want to say thank the Lord for “Sounds of our time.” Seems like Ford wasn’t a saint by any stretch, but a song this deeply soulful is its own grace. really great pick.

By: dk

dk — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:33:32 +0000

Welcome back!