As engaging as some of Jim Lauderdale"s recent genre exercises have been+ <I>The Hummingbirds</I> finds his creativity flying free and unfettered. The result is his freshest-sounding collection since 1994"s <I>Pretty Close to the Truth</I>. No other country release is likely to name check both <I>Dante"s Inferno</I> ("Eternal") and Salvador Dali ("Rollin" the Dice")+ evoke the metaphysical yearnings of "I"m Happiest When I"m Moving" and the bluegrass-tinged "New Cascade+" or find primarily acoustic arrangements sparking such dynamically electric interplay. Vocal support from Emmylou Harris and Julie Miller highlights the album-opening "Midnight Will Become Day+" Bekka Bramlett"s harmony adds a soulful dimension to "Jacob"s Ladder" (one of two Lauderdale collaborations with longtime Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter)+ and guest musicians including mandolinist Sam Bush+ guitarist Tony Rice+ and fiddlers Stuart Duncan and Tim O"Brien+ who provide stellar backing. Although the rest of the material is new+ one of the album"s standout tracks finds Lauderdale resurrecting "I Know Better Now+" previously recorded by Kelly Willis. <I>--Don McLeese</I>