About Jim Rosenberg’s “The Cold Hard Truth”

Milo Deering, Jamie Oldaker, Jim Rosenberg, Dylan Rosenberg & Kevin Bailey (left to right)

Jim Rosenberg’s debut album “The Cold Hard Truth” is an artful blend of his many influences that showcases his evolution as a singer, guitarist and songwriter over the course of his musical career. The culmination of this lifelong songwriter’s efforts to date is 11 songs that range from tender love ballads to mid-tempo Nashville country to the occasional foot-stomping bluegrass-infused musical jams. Listeners that favor lyrical quality will be fully satiated as well, as many moments of heartfelt wordsmithing stand out along the way. Evidence of James Taylor, John Prine, and several other luminaries of the genre are present amidst Rosenberg’s carefully crafted acoustic guitar-based works.

Throughout the albums 11 tracks, the listener is also treated to the impressive cast of characters called upon to help bring Rosenberg’s life’s work to fruition in the studio.

Drummer Jamie Oldaker (Bob Seger, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton) and bassist Kevin Bailey (Charlie Pride, LeAnn Rimes) lay a solid and smooth foundation upon which Rosenberg’s deft acoustic guitar work sits nicely. His son Dylan also lends his own acoustic guitar talents to the mix, adding supportive rhythm parts while handling all lead duties on the instrument. Milo Deering (Jack Ingram, LeAnn Rimes, current member of Don Henley’s band) is perhaps the most ear catching of all the studio musicians appearing on “The Cold Hard Truth” though, given that he contributes violin, mandolin, pedal steel, and dobro performances with equal brilliance. Deering’s knack for weaving intricate and captivating melody lines into each track without infringing upon Rosenberg’s central presence speaks to his incredible talents. Also appearing is vocalist Amy Howdeshell, who lends a female counterpart presence full of gospel grace to Rosenberg’s more tender moments. Producer Sam Taylor does a masterful job weaving all of the musicians’ contributions into a cohesive mix that supports Rosenberg throughout.

Rosenberg’s solo effort kicks off with the mid-tempo opener “Have You Seen My Baby” that is equal parts radio-friendly country and catchy folk sing-along. However, this spirited first number quickly gives way to two songs that showcase the true strength of his singer/songwriter roots. Despite being given the full studio treatment, “Part of Me”, and subsequently “Unconditional Love”, retain an organic intimacy as though he was performing solo right in your living room. Later cuts such as “Every Morning”, “If Tonight”, “Never Say Never”, and especially “A Good Thing” showcase Jim’s lyrical prowess in similar fashion. “Dying Love” departs a bit stylistically to exhibit another side of the artist’s songwriting - this time a mostly minor key number that leaves room at the end for Deering and Dylan Rosenberg to ride it out with some tasteful solo work. The title track “The Cold Hard Truth” serves as a rollicking mid-album lift that contrasts nicely with the gentler fare that precedes it, given its extended outro jam chock full of blazing instrumentation. “Brand New Road” is a poignant and soothing ballad that serves as the penultimate track before the listener reaches the closing number “Somebody, Sometime”, a song whose ethereal quality could almost land it on Led Zeppelin’s III album - were it not for Mr. Deering’s country-twinged contributions! This closing track also has an extended outro that is worth lasting till the final beat, propelled by increasingly lively lead musings from Deering’s wide ranging talents and young Rosenberg on lead acoustic guitar.

Overall, “Cold Hard Truth” is the sound of Rosenberg finally realizing his 4-decade long dream of giving his time-tested songs the presentation they deserve. It is clear that the long-awaited process of professionally recording these personal works was executed with incredible care and detail, resulting in superb performances and sound engineering from all involved. Considering Rosenberg’s career arc evokes a common adage that seems particularly fitting – “The best things in life are worth waiting for…” Perhaps one listen through “Cold Hard Truth” will have you agreeing in earnest.