Canada’s Jim Cuddy is celebrating the release of his album Countrywide Soul by sharing his cover of Larry Weiss’ 1974 song “Rhinestone Cowboy.”
It’s one of two covers on the new album, which also features Cuddy’s take on the 1966 country tune “Almost Persuaded.” There are also re-imagined versions of some of Cuddy’s solo and Blue Rodeo tracks as well as a pair of brand new songs.
“Rhinestone Cowboy,” of course, was most famously covered in 1975 by Glen Campbell. It became a crossover hit (it spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100) and the country star’s signature song. Campbell died in 2017.
The album was recorded live in Cuddy’s barn in Southern Ontario following The Jim Cuddy Band’s tour in support of Constellation.
“When we go into the studio to make records, the songs are born out of my imagination and the band contribute their incredible talents to make those ideas come to life,” Cuddy explained, in a release. “The songs evolve and become part of our collective imagination.
“But it is on tour that they really take flight. We are connected by art. We are connected by what we create together. That’s what I wanted to capture on this record. How much I enjoy listening to the band reveal their imagination and add their creativity to the songs was really the inspiration.”
Listen to Cuddy sing “Rhinestone Cowboy” below: