While people are heralding Jeff Bridges' 2011 self-titled album as his debut recording, the fact is, it's his second. His actual debut was released in 2000 and entitled Be Here Soon, on the independent Ramp Records imprint. The earlier recording -- which sounded like Bob Dylan meeting Michael McDonald -- bears little resemblance to this organic,...

While people are heralding Jeff Bridges' 2011 self-titled album as his debut recording, the fact is, it's his second. His actual debut was released in 2000 and entitled Be Here Soon, on the independent Ramp Records imprint. The earlier recording -- which sounded like Bob Dylan meeting Michael McDonald -- bears little resemblance to this organic, laid-back collection of 11 self-penned Americana songs on the improbable Blue Note label. The album was inspired by his Academy Award-winning performance as the burned out country singer Bad Blake in Crazy Heart. Bridges teamed up with longtime friend and Crazy Heart soundtrack producer T-Bone Burnett and his go-to studio team on these 11 rootsy, intimate songs., Rovi