Every Little Word – Slim Dunlap

Curation Records (2CD  released February 27^th 2026)

I last reviewed Slim’s solo oeuvre here in 2023 when both his solo LPs were reissued on vinyl as a way of generating funds for his long-term medical problems caused by a stroke in 2012 that left him unable to function physically. Sadly Slim is no longer with us, but this new release from US label Curation does his memory proud.

Over 44 tracks you get the whole of The Old New Me (1993) and Times Like This (1996), remastered and sounding as effortlessly elegant as ever. Long-term fans will be more interested in the other 22 tracks, a fascinating selection of demos, alternate versions and out-takes. There are three takes of Before She’s Gone, with the heartbreaking detail and agile acoustic guitars of #3 being particularly affecting. Every Little Word itself is just Slim on rueful vocal and sparse guitar. Versions of The Ballad Of The Opening Band, From The Git Go and Ain’t Exactly Good offer different perspectives on well-loved songs from The Old New Me. Calling You Out has a very Replacements feel on the raucous guitar sound and solo. By contrast Loud, Loud, Loud, Guitars is inevitably a country-soused tune which features absolutely no loud guitars. Tearin’ Us Apart was recorded live and features unrelenting drumming and strident guitar chords.

Over on the second disc an alternate of Nowhere’s Near is a ridiculously catchy song with honky-tonk piano about Slim’s lack of commercial success, which doesn’t seem to be bothering him over much. A new, janglier take of Girlfiend shows why Bruce Springsteen was impressed enough to record his own version. Musician/Bum is a slow, string-enriched ballad whose wry lyrics belies its title. On a live version of I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight, Slim accompanies himself on guitar and harmonica and sings effortlessly: fellow Minnesotan Bob Dylan would definitely approve. The other cover here is Jimmy Rodgers’ Hobo Bill’s Last Ride which proves Slim could yodel. We first heard Big Star Big on Slim’s live release Thank You Dancers and it remains his career manifesto with mentions of Alex Chilton and Paul Westerberg.  The last track listed is a rough demo of Times Like containing Slim’s most affecting lyric “it’s times like this that we learn what we’d really miss”. Surely the words are for Slim’s beloved wife Chrissie who supported him throughout his career and nursed him during his long illness. This simpler version is made even more affecting by Slim’s matter-of-fact delivery which seems to intensify the weight of the words. Stay listening for a ‘hidden track’ (remember them?).

If you are new to Slim you’d probably best start with the self-explanatory Rocking Here Tonight or the wonderful Radio Hook Word Hit. But once you’ve been seduced by Slim’s witty lyrics, understated delivery and exemplary guitar work you’ll want it all. Every Little Word gives you just that. And if you don’t believe me, listen to what Bruce Springsteen said. “Slim Dunlap …was really a unique guitarist, singer and songwriter, and one of the deepest and truest rock and roll souls I’ve ever heard. He has two fabulous solo albums that I would tell everyone to run out and get.” Well, you heard the man…