Goodnight Lane

As singer/songwriters go, it might be argued that Jimmie Dale Gilmore is more of a singer than a songwriter, but, on the basis of his second full-length album, Goodnight Lane, the opposite might be said of Gilmore's son Colin Gilmore. Not that Colin Gilmore can't sing; in fact, his voice is reminiscent of Jimmie Dale Gilmore's in terms of its phrasing and the rounded West Texas accent, though it is higher and thinner. It's just that Colin Gilmore's songs display considerable craftsmanship, the lyrics taking a poetic turn that gives the subject matter — reflections on the musician's life, romantic encounters, and the world in general — greater depth. As a composer, Colin Gilmore reflects more the influence of his father's partner in the Flatlanders, Joe Ely, which is to say that the leans more toward straight rock and jangle pop than he does toward country. In fact, his chief influences may be another Lubbock native, Buddy Holly, and Holly's contemporary and partner in death Ritchie Valens. It's no surprise that the Flatlanders have already called on the younger Gilmore for material, cutting his song "The Way We Are" on their Hills and Valleys album. Before long, country artists may be seeking out his albums for cover material, and there are several selections on Goodnight Lane they might find useful, in particular "Laughing Hard or Crying." Jimmie Dale Gilmore, meanwhile, might want to give a listen to "Llano," which sounds perfect for him to sing.