Watermelon Slim has always wanted to record a country album, and with his latest NorthernBlues release, Escape From The Chicken Coop, he’s recognized that goal. There’s always been a thin line between blues and country and, of course, if you’re a fan of Slim’s previous work, you realize that for him, that line has always been anorexically thin. He’s absorbed the sounds of Merle Haggard and Hank Williams as much as he has the music of John Lee Hooker over the years and his music has always incorporated both styles. This time around though, the emphasis leans more toward the country side, though it could hardly be considered a stretch for Slim, who makes the transition effortlessly.

For this new release, Slim works with producer Miles Wilkinson and composer/guitarist Gary Nicholson, who works a lot with Delbert McClinton. Nicholson brought in some outstanding Nashville musicians and split the sessions, one with a small acoustic group and the other with a large electric band. The constant is Watermelon Slim, with his craggy vocals, his incredible slide guitar, and his harmonica and he’s never sounded better.

The opening cut, “Caterpillar Whine,” should be featured on truck stop juke boxes all over. Slim drove a truck for years (writing and singing songs to himself to pass the time on the road) and the lyrics and performance capture the mood perfectly and his slide guitar is breathtaking. The whimsical “Skinny Women and Fat Cigars” will put a smile on your face, as will “It’s Never Too Hard To Be Humble.” “You See Me Like I See You” is a fairly mainstream duet with singer Jenny Littleton. Next up is a somber reading of Roy Acuff’s “Wreck On The Highway,” with Slim doing lead and harmony vocals, followed by a spoken-word original composition, “Friends On The Porch.”

“Should Have Done More” is a moving track about helping people in need, and “Hank Williams You Wrote My Life” is a tribute to one of America’s greatest songwriters and performers. “America’s Wives” shows Slim’s admiration for those women who have the thankless job of keeping families going. More traditional country fare follows with “The Way I Am,” a statement of independence, and “300 Miles” is another trucker tune that features one of Slim’s best vocal performances and some stunning slide guitar work as well. The final two cuts, “Truck Driving Songs” and "18, 18 Wheeler,” are also trucker tunes. Fittingly, the disc is dedicated to Dave Dudley, of “Six Days On The Road” fame.

Slim recorded 21 songs in this session and reportedly had a hard time culling the set to 13 tracks. Hopefully, we’ll get to hear the remainder one day. I think Watermelon Slim fans will enjoy this disc as much as they did his previous discs. In fact, some might like it more. Just think of it as a new variation of “country blues” and enjoy listening.