Tim Bluhm – Hag Heaven

Tim Bluhm releases his eighth solo record, an 11-track tribute to Merle Haggard, on November 20th. A portion of all revenue from album sales will go to the Blue Rose Foundation, which provides pre-school scholarships to financially disadvantaged children.

I tapped my good friend and fellow critic Jon Siembieda to help listen to this album. Jon is way into the Tim Bluhm/Norther California scene, so he was able to provide some context and counter-points. Jon, unlike myself, is also an actual musician so he has a real ear and eye for the finer technicalities. You can read more of Jon’s work at Tahoe Onstage.

Here’s our track by track breakdown:

1. Am I Standing In Your Way

Jon: I’m big follower of Tim’s musical endeavors. I especially dig his country offerings, like “Sorta Surviving” and “Brokedown in Bakersfield,” among others. A whole album of Tim’s spin on Merle covers is a totally cool project, and treat for fans in the pandemic. I love that Tim recorded this at home too. There’s a cozy feeling immediately to the performance and mix, like you’re sitting by the fire kicking back with a nice glass of aged George Dickel. We’re off to a good start.

Lara: Unlike Jon, I’m fairly new to Tim Bluhm’s universe… I’m a big fan of the California Way record but that’s about all I’ve really heard. I’ve seen the Mother Hips just once and they had great energy. First thought on hearing this song was that the intro sounds exactly like the original – almost enough to make me do a double-take to make sure I was playing the right version. Anyway, I am a big Merle fan so my standards are high!

2. Everybody’s Had The Blues

Jon: Smooth pedal steel from Dave Zirbel, as always. Things are still feeling intimate and laid back. Very Timmer. It’s exactly what you think it would sound like – Merle’s Bakersfield sound getting a woodsy NorCal stroll alongside Tim’s smooth, twangy voice and just-behind-the-beat guitar playing.

Lara: Kind of a modern, fresh interpretation, musically. I’m not a big horns person so I really like this treatment. Definitely more coastal than inland.

3. If We Make It Through December

Jon: Well, the lyrics to this one certainly feel somewhat relevant nowadays. Nice piano fills adding some sparkle and ring. 

Lara: I love this song. Great pick by Tim. I wasn’t sure that Tim’s vocals would lend themselves well to the twangy thing but it sounds very natural. He has a great, smooth voice. 

4. Someday We’ll Look Back

Jon: Great intro. I wonder if there is an Echoplex on the steel? It should be mentioned there’s a very nice pocket so far on all these songs. Good harmonies on the chorus. 

Lara: Also was going to comment on the steel… throughout this record, the playing is most impressive. Timeless. I definitely agree that those are nice pockets… And I definitely know what a pocket is.

5. Every Fool Has A Rainbow

Jon: Tasteful acoustic guitar weave. I always like when space is embraced, and this song does that. It’s not always about what to play, more often than not it’s about what not to play.

Lara: I like that Tim didn’t try to improve upon these classics.. They’re perfect as they are and although instrumentation sounds a bit more updated and polished, I appreciate that he didn’t go crazy trying to innovate.

6. Driftwood

Jon: More nice harmonies. Digging the understated brushes keeping the groove. Pleasing acoustic guitar tone and performance.

Lara: There are few things I love more than acoustic guitar picking… and the solo at the end of the original is one of my favorites. Tim’s stands up extremely well. So far this is my favorite of the album. 

7. Footlights

Jon: More enjoyable understated, but well-executed guitar playing. The pickup by the drums feels good. Classic song. You can feel Tim’s parallels with the subject matter. 

Lara: Certainly an earnest interpretation. This song is so compelling, Tim does a great job channeling Merle’s sort of ambivalence, shedding light on the real interior of a musician’s life.

8. Huntsville

Jon: One of my fav Merle tunes. Perfect for Tim’s slightly funky guitar playing. I could see this rocking live with The Coffis Brothers backing him.

Lara: Funky is right. This is sort of the farthest Tim strays sonically from the original, with that cool wamp wamp effect (clearly I am a fountain of technical gear knowledge.) 

9. Always Wanting You

Jon: Old school solo with acoustic guitar handing off to electric handing off to steel. Very traditional. Noted and approved. 

Lara: Ooooh that phaser thing, little Waylon sound! A wink to a fellow outlaw. 

10. Hungry Eyes

Jon: Another classic. Probably the biggest soundscape of the record so far. Tim’s doing a nice job of keeping it real but allowing the natural character in his voice to pave the way for the songs to have their own feel. 

Lara: Tim’s having fun now. This is the only song that I will say actually sounds better than the original, mix-wise. Sorry – you just can’t mess with perfection! But this sound is open, sprawling, and warm, sounds amazing on headphones. I absolutely love a string section out of the blue, I’ve been listening to tons of Lee Hazlewood lately and I’m very into orchestration.

11. Don’t Give Up On Me

Jon: We’re honky tonking to close the record out. Nice fiddle playing. Well-executed and doesn’t overstay its welcome… and just like that, it’s over.

Lara: This record has me intrigued…. Now I’ll be looking up Tim’s original country material. Would love to hear him do something really gritty and weird with it.

Get Hag Heaven at Blue Rose Music.