Looking Forward Looking Back

By 2000, Slim Dusty was the young-at-heart elder statesman of Australian country music. Even on his 100th album, he was still able to uncover new subjects as vivid as the title character in "The Bloke Who Serves the Beer," a drinking song that turns the lens on the man behind the stick. "Old Time Country Songs" is autobiography in the form of playlist, and across the LP he highlights the influence of Tex Ritter and Jimmie Rodgers by replicating their earthy, approachable styles.