Bob Harris Country - 27/08/2009

Bob is joined by legendary alt. country group The Flatlanders. The band, formed in Lubbock Texas in the early 70s, is made up of Texan singer songwriters Butch Hancock, Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Their 1990 compilation More Of A Legend Than A Band is an apt album title for a band who, despite achieving cult status in American music, have never had great commercial success and have only released four albums in their 35 year history. The first was their 1973 eight track tape Jimmie Dale and the Flatlanders, which had no formal distribution and quickly disappeared into obscurity. Tracks from this recording were re-released several years later as More Of A Legend Than A Band, which is now regarded as one of the first 'alt country' recordings. In 1973 the three friends moved to Austin and left the band to follow solo careers. During this time both Butch Hancock and Joe Ely gained a cult following on the alt country circuit, whilst Jimmie Dale Gilmore took a break from music, and spent much of his time on a spiritual retreat in a Denver ashram studying Hindu philosophy and meditation. He released his first solo album in 1988 which was produced by Joe Ely. In 1997, after 25 years apart, the Flatlanders reunited to record South Wind Of Summer for the soundtrack of Robert Redford's film The Horse Whisperer. In 2002 they made their first album for 30 years, Now Again, and followed this up with Wheels Of Fortune in 2004. Their fourth album Hills And Valleys was released earlier this year and reflects some major themes of contemporary America including the impact of Hurricane Katrina, the Iraq War and the government's approach to immigration.