I had the chance to see Peter Cooper and Eric Brace join Tom T. Hall in a songwriters in the round session not long ago, and both were clearly excited to be performing with an artist they admire so much. They spoke excitedly about “I Love,” a forthcoming CD saluting Hall’s wonderful children’s record “Songs of Fox Hollow.”
They’ve done their hero proud. The album features a diverse and talented line-up offering largely faithful renditions ; it works very well.
Patti Griffin opens the set with a gorgeous version of “I Love,” Hall’s big crossover hit of 1973. Buddy MiIler contributes a fun “Sneaky Snake, aided on guitar by Duane Eddy, who also backs Cooper on “Everybody Loves to Hear a Bird Sing.”
Jim Lauderdale, Baker Maultsby, Brace’s Last Train Home, Elizabeth Cook, Tim Carroll, Gary Bennett, Jon Byrd, Mark and Mike and Tommy Cash all contribute fine performances, and the album closes on particularly high notes with Bobby Bare’s take on “I Care” and Fayssoux Starling McLean’s sweet performance of “I Made a Friend of A Flower Today,” with a guest vocal by Hall himself.
No surprise from Red Beet Records, the packaging is a work of art with custom graphics and lyrics. “I Love” is full of charming music that deserves to be heard by a new generation.
Ken Paulson
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