Jimmie Dale Gilmore – The Tuning Fork April 20, 2015

Anyone who has spent any amount of time taking in the parade of artists that have played at the Tuning Fork over the past year or so might easily think that literally everyone and his brother who was born and raised in the American South can sing, write songs and pick a guitar.

The latest example of this phenomenon is Jimmie Dale Gilmore, who brought his son Colin along to sing and play with him.

Now, anyone who knows anything about American roots music or alt.country, or whatever we’re calling this hybrid of country, folk, rock and blues these days, knows that Jimmie Dale Gilmore has, along with compadres like Butch Hancock, Joe Ely, Willie Nelson and Towns Van Zandt, been one of its leading lights for over 40 years. He is a songwriter of incredible insight and possesses a voice that drives directly to the heart of the listener.

At the age of 70, Jimmie’s songwriting has slowed down…his last two albums have been collections of old country and folk favourites. But at the same time, his son, Colin Gilmore has been emerging as an artist in his own right…having released two albums of original material in the recent past.

There are some people who groan when they learn that an established artist is bringing a family member along to perform with. They feel that the performance will somehow be diluted…that the accompanying son or daughter or spouse is there only because of nepotism.

I ran into a friend a couple of days ago who I know is a big Jimmie Dale Gilmore fan, but was waffling about attending this show because Jimmie Dale was playing with Colin. He made a few cynical remarks citing Julian Lennon and dismissed the idea that the younger Gilmore could possibly have anything substantial to contribute out of hand.

Boy, was he wrong.

First of all, Colin Gilmore proved to be a wonderful harmony singer and guitarist and when he performed a couple of his own songs, they easily fit in, not only with his father’s, but also the songs by Townes Van Zandt, Lucinda Williams and Butch Hancock that were also offered up during their set.

But second, and more important, the very nature of folk music is based around one generation handing down songs, the craft of songwriting to the next. That’s how the music stays alive.

Hank Williams and Townes Van Zandt are long gone, but their music was as vibrant as ever when Jimmie and Colin sang their songs.

Jimmie told the audience how Lucinda Williams had taught him how to play one of her songs, Howlin’ At Midnight, when she came through Austin some years ago. Again, that’s what this music is all about…whether related by blood or not, it’s a family.

As if to drive the point home, Jimmie Dale introduced Colin’s wife Tammy to the stage and the three of them performed Townes Van Zandt’s song, Loretta. Tammy has a natural stage presence and the voice of an angel.

The crowd at the Tuning Fork knew they were in the presence of something special. Jimmie Dale was feeling the vibe and taking the show into places he hadn’t planned, veering away from the set list and adding songs as the mood fit.

After an hour and a half, he clearly didn’t want to leave and after performing set closer Dallas, he and Colin remained on stage, Jimmie stating that they forgot to play a song that should have been done earlier. It seemed like a veiled excuse just to play longer, but no one was objecting.

The duo left the stage, but was quickly called back for an encore…a wonderful un-recorded Jimmie Dale tune called If You Were A Bluebird. But Jimmie wasn’t done yet.

“I have one more I wanna do”, he announced and we were treated to a rousing version of Midnight Train.

Finally, the light came up and the crowd began to disperse. I noticed by friend who I had spoken to a few days ago was indeed in the audience and had stayed til the end. Hopefully he will think twice before writing off a musician just because he or she has a well-known parent. After all, Roseanne Cash has done pretty well for herself.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Michael Flynn:

Jimmy Dale Gilmore set list:

1. Tonight I Think I’m Gonna Go Downtown
2. Santa Fe Thief
3. Ramblin’ Man
4. My Mind’s Got A Mind Of Its Own
5. Another Colorado
6. The You That I Knew
7. Another Place Another Time
8. One Endless Night
9. Howlin’ At Midnight
10. Loretta
11. No Lonesome Tune
12. Don’t Look For A Heartache
13. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
14. The Way We Are
15. Just A Wave, Not The Water
16. Headed For A Fall
17. I Was The One
18. Up To You
19. Circles In The Yard
20. Dallas
21. Georgia Rose
22. If You Were A Bluebird
23. Midnight Train