Jim Ford: Harlan County

Label: Light in the Attic

Original badass Jim Ford had just one studio album released during his lifetime, but 1969's Harlan County is so good it cemented him as a legend (it didn't hurt that his songs have been covered by Bobby Womack, Aretha Franklin and others). Ford was a free-spirit at just the right time: Though he came from "the back hills of Kentucky," as he sings on the title track, his rootsy rock spread out and easily encompassed soul and funk as well as country -- and his accomplices on this album included Dr. John and top session drummer Jim Keltner. In fact, Harlan County foresaw the musical openness of the decade to come: The arrangement on "Changing Colors" is a low-key work of art, strings and all. The aforementioned songs are bona fide burners, as are hit single "I'm Gonna make Her Love Me" and "Dr. Handy's Dandy Candy," which will make you grab your favorite person and swing around the room with him or her. And all those are just on the first side! Okay, sure, this is a CD, but that just means you get deluxe liner notes and photos too. Dig this twang and give thanks for another proper reissue!