a few more words
re:
Highway Trance...

Sensitive singer / songwriter types are known to make sometimes thin-souled rockers. And, though a poet, Jimmy LaFave rocks like the Richards (Little & Keith), so you won't find a lot back in the SS/ST dressing room to fit him.

Rockers often make thick-skinned songwriters. But Jimmy LaFave writes songs that our hearts and minds rush to make room for right beside Bob, Bruce, Joni and James, John and Paul. At the risk of the old too good to be true, we humbly submit that Jimmy LaFave is that kind of classic rocker.

His voice gets compared to the best. But whether it is Cocker, Cooke, Stewart, or Forbert who is getting the compliment, the fact is that Jimmy sounds like none of them. Other facts: he only gets compared to originals and he only gets compared to soul singers.

But how we go on. Your turn. Puncture the hype.
Track 1 of 16. Push Play......

As Shakin In Your Hips starts ripping through the room, see if your ears aren't made to stare as that voice effortlessly pushes a slew of other formidable ripping agents aside, making it's way to some long neglected Velcro in your soul. And see if track 2 doesn't find you still around to wonder if you didn't actually feel the brush of icy fur about the time he howls that line about wolves at the shivering climax of When The Tears Fall.

By now you're up in the smoke of Leslie, Talk To Me, and the will to deflate the hype is leaving you. But you're sure you can remember at least one other sensitive songwriting rock hero who dared, not to mention nailed, a jazz tune on his studio debut. And it shouldn't be too tough to recall a melody prettier than Cafe in The Rain, but no fair skipping ahead to Dark Dancing Eyes or Prayer For You for candidates. Or a human soul as open to inspection as LaFave's on I've Got Your Picture. And surely you can point to some guesting superstar somewhere who managed to outstrip Gene Elders' double-tracked male/female violin solo on
Give Your Sweet Love To Me.

Just when you're trying to imagine radio without the LaFave anthem,The Open Road, finally it hits you. Instantly classic songs. 57 flavors production. Not even a bite of filler. A band that is all Texas heat, until it's time for some shade . And that can't-do-wrong voice... You rejoice to your conclusion.
This is one of the BEST albums you've ever heard.

And now you're grinning just like we did, as, for the first time in too darn long, the ole classics shelf scooches down a bit to welcome a worthy newcomer.


~ MS

from the
Highway Trance
press kit

Photo by Jimmy Lafave