Vintage Review: Bill Lloyd's All In One Place (2001)

Bill Lloyd is remembered by many as half of the popular country duo Foster & Lloyd, who recorded three hit albums during the late ‘80s. Lloyd has always been a rocker in his heart, however, and he’s enjoyed a successful career as a songwriter and session guitarist, playing with artists like Al Kooper, Kim Richey, Steve Earle, and Marshall Crenshaw. His fourth album, All In One Place, gathers a decade’s worth of Lloyd’s songs from various tribute albums and compilations.

A glorious collection of pop-influenced roots rock, Lloyd joyfully interprets songs by folks like the Hollies, Badfinger, Bobby Fuller, Todd Rundgren, and Harry Nilsson. He also throws in a few of his own spirited compositions, as well as songs co-written with artists like Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites), Jerry Dale McFadden (The Mavericks), and Steve Wynn (Dream Syndicate). Think of a mix of the Beatles and the Kinks, with a slight Nashville twang, and you’ve nailed the pop-rock aesthetic that makes All In One Place an enormously charming collection of tunes. (Def Heffer Records, released 2001)

Review originally published by View From The Hill community newspaper, Signal Hill CA