Jim Ward

Quiet in the Valley, On the Shores the End Begins (Tembloroso Recordings)

Enter Jim Ward of Sparta and At the Drive-In – only you’d never know it. This compilation of acoustic solo EPs pushes farther down the bluegrass road than he traveled in alt.country vehicle Sleepercar. Ward’s sound got wider and wilder over time, but loyal collectors will already know that. It’s the plugged-in bonus disc rewiring his moody blues as full-band rockers they’ll dissect. “Mystery Talks” goes from campfire picker to stadium lighter-waver, but the sway-along charm of “Coastlines” gets lost in its mockabilly conversion. (Fri., 1:40pm, Orange stage)

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This article appears in November 4 • 2011.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.