Jim Ford, R.I.P.

One of the greats passed away a few days ago. Most people never knew Jim Ford’s music in life. Maybe that’ll change in death.

If you love country or soul or more to the point, country-soul, then you’d love Jim Ford. He was a funky southern pirate! His songs were covered by Aretha Franklin, Bobby Wommack and the Temptations. He wrote “Ode to Billie Joe” for Bobbie Gentry. He played, uncredited, on Sly Stone’s masterpiece ‘There’s A Riot Goin’ On.’ Sly called him “the baddest white man on the planet,” while Shore Fire client Nick Lowe has called Ford “the biggest musical influence of my life.”

Earlier this year Bear Family Records released the first Ford retrospective ‘The Sounds of Our Time,’ which includes his legendary lone LP ‘Harlan County’ (originally released, if just barely, in 1969) along with a slew of bonus tracks. Every home should have one. Prior to the reissue, the backing musicians on ‘Harlan County’ were never credited, but according to Ford, James Burton, Jim Keltner and Dr. John all played on the record. Wow!

I’ve heard that ‘Sounds of Our Time’ is one of Bear Family’s most successful releases ever. So much so that more music from the Ford vaults is coming next year. What a shame that he won’t be around to enjoy some of the recognition he deserves.

Read more on Ford’s life and death here.