Jim Ford

Jim Ford (August 23, 1941 – November 18, 2007) [timesonline obituary [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article3046528.ece] ] was an American singer-songwriter originally from Johnson County, Kentucky. After living in New Orleans, Ford moved to Los Angeles, and finally settled in Fort Bragg, CA. His music is a mixture of soul, country and folk. His songs have been recorded by numerous artists, including Aretha Franklin, P.J. Proby, Bobby Womack, and The Temptations. Nick Lowe has cited Jim Ford as his biggest musical influence.
His most famous song is probably "Niki Hoeky", recorded by Aretha Franklin on her album Lady Soul.
After beating a cocaine addiction in 2004, Ford found Jesus and started recording again. He was a recluse at that time, but L-P Anderson of Sweden's Sonic Magazine managed to track him down in his California trailer home in April 2006. [The Sounds of Our Time booklet pages 3-7]
Bear Family Records re-released his "Harlan County" album, originally recorded in 1969, with 15 previously unreleased songs and a 40 page booklet as "The Sounds of Our Time" in early 2007. The success of "The Sounds of Our Time" made the idea of recording new material possible. At times there was talk of using Jim Dickinson as producer and James Burton volunteered to play guitar. A charity gig for Jim was to take place in London , U.K. on May 18, 2008. Nick Lowe was supposed to perform together with Jim Ford in person.. However, Jim Ford was found dead early in the evening of Sunday, November 18, 2007 in his trailer home by the Fort Bragg Sheriff’s department.
A few months after Ford's death, Bear Family released a compilation of previously unavailable Jim Ford recordings, "Point of No Return".

Discography

Albums

* "Harlan County" (White Whale), 1969

Compilations

* "The Sounds of Our Time: The Harlan County Album, Rare Singles and Previously Unreleased Masters" (Bear Family), 2007
*"Point of No Return: Previously Unreleased Masters, a Lost 45 & Rare Demo"s (Bear Family), 2008

Songs

*"36 Inches High" (Jim Ford) - recorded by Nick Lowe – "Jesus of Cool"
*"American Dream" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack) - recorded by Bobby Womack – "The Poet II"
*"Dr. Handy's Dandy Candy" (Jim Ford) - recorded by Jim Ford – "Harlan County"
*"Fountains of Love" (Jim Ford, Ronnie Wood) - recorded by Ronnie Wood – "1234"
*"Harlan County" (Jim Ford) - recorded by Jim Ford – "Harlan County"
*"Ju Ju Man" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas) recorded by Brinsley Schwarz – "Silver Pistol"
*"Ju Ju Man" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas) recorded by Dave Edmunds - "The Best of Dave Edmunds"
*"Love on My Brain" (Jim Ford) - recorded by Jim Ford – "Harlan County"
*"Niki Hoeke Speedway" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas, Pat Vegas) - recorded by Brinsley Schwarz – "Silver Pistol"
*"Niki Hoeky" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas, Pat Vegas) - recorded by P.J. Proby
*"Niki Hoeky" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas, Pat Vegas) - recorded by Aretha Franklin – "Lady Soul"
*"Niki Hoeky" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas, Pat Vegas) - recorded by The Ventures – Swamp Rock
*"Outlaws" (Jim Ford, Ronnie Wood) - recorded by Bo Diddley and Ronnie Wood – "Live at the Ritz"
*"Outlaws" (Jim Ford, Ronnie Wood) - recorded by Ronnie Wood – "1234"
*"Secrets" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack) - recorded by Bobby Womack – "The Poet"
*"She Never Told Me" (Jim Ford, Ronnie Wood) recorded by Ronnie Wood – "1234"
*"So Many Sides of You" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack) - recorded by Bobby Womack – "The Poet"
*"Surprise, Surprise" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack) - recorded by Bobby Womack – "The Poet II"
*"Sweet Baby Mine" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack) - recorded by Ronnie Wood – - "Now Look"
*"Tell Me Why" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack) - recorded by Bobby Womack – "The Poet II"
*"Through the Eyes of a Child" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack) - recorded by Bobby Womack – "The Poet II"
*"Tryin' to Get Over You" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack) - recorded by Bobby Womack – "The Poet II"
*"Under Construction" (Jim Ford) recorded by Jim Ford – "Harlan County"
*"Where Do We Go from Here" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack) - recorded by Bobby Womack – "The Poet"
*"Who's Foolin' Who" (Jim Ford, Bobby Womack) - recorded by Bobby Womack – "The Poet II"
*"Working My Way To L.A." (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas) - recorded by Jim Ford – - "Harlan County"

References

External links

[http://wc02.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:g9fwxqy5ldse Allmusic entry]

[http://www.bear-family.de/tabel1/neuheit/serien/Obituary_Jim_Ford_e.htm Jim Ford obituary at Bear Family Records]