In Still Ridin', Jim Jones has released another gem. The Corrales-based musician was named 2008 Western Male Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Western Artists and the honor is well-deserved. If you like Ian Tyson, you'll appreciate Jones's earnest Western tunes and his warm, commanding voice. In the title song, Jones has some great cowboy advice for anyone who's experienced hard knocks: "You don't count the times you get knocked down, it's the times you get back up...and keep ridin' down the trail." Several guest musicians offer stellar sounds including Susan Clark (accordion), Tom Mortensen (dobro) and Amy Blackburn (fiddle). They blend seamlessly with Jones, who plays guitars, mandolin and tin whistle.

It was just great.as always.

The Academy of Western Artists' reigning Male Vocalist of the Year, Jim Jones jokes that he sings both kinds of music...Country AND Western! He's recently put out two separate albums to prove that. Still Ridin' serves up very interesting new material. Among the creative offerings is an absolute gem, the Jones/Susan Clark song "Lonesome Cowboy Heart." Jon Messenger's wonderful "Ballad of the Irish Cowboy" is given both a great arrangement and artfully rendered brogue spizz by Jones and "The Raven" from one of Ian Tyson's favorite co-writers, Blaine McIntyre, is also a fine addition. And Jones has collaborated on two new ones with Western Music Association Male Cowboy Poet of the Year, Les Buffham on "Wildfire" and "Four Js." Allan Chapman and JOnes have teamed up to turn out the novel "Please Don't Help Me Anymore" and the serious multi-purposed "Lay Down My Guns (Song For the Warrior)." Jim also partnered up with iconic Cowboy Poet Ross Knox on "I Haven't Known You Long" to good effect and renders the Ross Knox/Ian Tyson song "I Outgrew the Wagon." Add this CD to your library! Rick Huff, Ropeburns