“It Just Takes One to Wander"

By Jim Lauderdale

Photo by Ian Laidlaw

As Jim Lauderdale notes in this wry tune he co-wrote with Graham Sharp, “It takes two to tango, but it just takes one to wander.”

The song is one of 13 tracks on Jim’s new album, “When Carolina Comes Homes Again.” Other memorable tracks include “As a Sign” (about love lost), “I’m Here to Remind You” (a touching ballad) and “Last to Know” (a surprising take about leaving). The bluegrass album pays homage to this two-time Grammy winner’s native North Carolina. In fact, the first bluegrass festival he ever went to was at Union Grove, at age 14. “It blew my mind,” he recalls. “The music got into my bones, and I just had to get a banjo.” To say Jim is prolific is a bit of an understatement. The album is Jim’s 33rd and signals that this gifted, hardworking singer-songwriter is still going strong.

The album features instrumental accompaniment from members of NC-based bands. including Balsam Range, Cane Mill Road and Songs from the Road: and, more specifically, from Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw (fiddle); Aaron Ramsey (mandolin); and Nick Dauphinais and Presley Barker (guitars).

“North Carolina has such a long and important heritage in bluegrass music,” Jim says. “Since it’s where I’m originally from and where I started playing bluegrass, it seemed right to go back to my roots in bluegrass there and collaborate with musicians in that area.”