Dwight Yoakam - A Long Way Home
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Free Music Notes for A Long Way Home
Free Music Review: Underrated Yoakam classic
Hit: 5 Stars
I don't know why the buzz around this album faded so quickly (even as "Things Change" managed more radio airplay than usual for Yoakam in these pop-country climes). But I find this to be one of the very finest of Yoakam's works -- right up with "This Time" and "If There was a Way." Even "Tomorrow's Sounds Today" ended up being more critically acclaimed strangely. I don't think any of Yoakam's albums have been as varied sonically with as much consistency of tone and theme or been as respectful of the past without sounding like re-treads. The title track is as good a sweet country song as you are likely to find anywhere, and are the best lyrics Yoakam has ever penned. The rest of the album ranges from catchy, driving melodies "Listen" to toe-tapping two-steps like "These Arms" and "That's Ok." "Things Change" and "Yet to Succeed" are classics of their particular sub-genres, even as they subvert those expectations in clever ways.All in all, this is a largely overlooked gem. Fans of Dwight Yoakam will be thrilled and engrossed in the album, which features some familiar Yoakam-sounds and some new directions and some truly stellar lyrics. Newcomers to alt.country, rockabilly, classic country, and/or the Bakersfield sound are in for a treat, and couldn't find a better, more listenable introduction to all those genres (and more).
Do yourself a favor, and if you overlooked this release, go back and pick it up. It just might be my favorite out of every single Dwight Yoakam record out there. Which is saying a whole lot.
Free Music Review: An outstanding collection of original songs
Hit: 5 Stars
At the time Dwight recorded this album, people could be forgiven for thinking that Dwight had run out of ideas - after all, he'd recorded a covers album and a Christmas album, which was predominately covers. With this album, Dwight proved that he could still write and sing brilliant original songs. As ever, Dwight's traditionally based country music has a rock edge that appeals to a wider audience while still appealing to most traditional country fans. Only the most diehard traditionalists could fail to appreciate Dwight's music. The overall feel of this album is very upbeat.Dwight grabs your attention from the opening Same fool and holds it until the closing Maybe you like it maybe you don't, singing his way through a selection of songs that are incredibly varied yet still sit comfortably together. Dwight's influences are many and varied but fans of Buck Owens, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley will all hear echoes of their music in this album. Of course, Dwight's hillbilly vocal style combined with Pete Anderson's brilliant producing make his music unmistakeable for any other.
Dwight makes a rare incursion into bluegrass territory on Traveller's lantern, on which Ralph Stanley plays banjo. As Dwight had already appeared as a guest on Ralph's Clinch mountain country album, this was no surprise. Judged on this effort, it would be great to hear Dwight do a whole bluegrass album.
Dwight has recorded many outstanding albums (and one or two duds) but this is certainly one of the best albums Dwight has ever recorded and my may well be the best of the lot.
Free Music Review: Yoakam's Most Consistent Album - Not A Clunker In The Bunch
Hit: 5 Stars
Yoakam's eleventh album was his first of all new material in nearly three years. A Christmas set and a mediocre album of cover tunes were released in the meantime, while he concentrated on acting in films like Sling Blade and The Newton Boys. Just when it seemed that Yoakam might never give music his full attention again, he delightfully surprised us with his
most consistent and personal effort to date.
Yoakam composed all of the thirteen tracks on A Long Way Home without collaboration. The overwhelming theme of these acoustically-driven numbers is romance and its inevitably
negative outcome. This potentially depressing subject matter turns engaging, thanks to the variety of musical styles Yoakam incorporates, be it the shimmering "Things Change," the
honkytonkin' "I Wouldn't Put It Past Me" or the Bakersfield weeper "Yet To Succeed." Amidst the romantic chaos are homages to Johnny Cash ("The Curse"), Roy Orbison ("Listen") and
Elvis Presley ("Maybe You Like It, Maybe You Don't").
The one thematic detour is the mountain ode "Traveler's Lantern," featuring bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley on banjo and backup vocals. Its message of illuminating the path one
walks could also be applied to the music of Dwight Yoakam: when he is at his best, like on A Long Way Home, country music is left a better place.
Free Music Review: The Music Of A Cosmic Maverick For The New Millenium
Hit: 5 Stars
Since 1986, Dwight is still the Maverick of Country Music. He already proved that he was the truest guy to continue the music of Hank Williams and Buck Owens. This new release proves that he 's definitely a thousand miles from mainstream country music. "The Same Fool" which opens the album smashes conventionnal country music. The voice of Dwight is full of feeling as usually but now it became cosmic, aerian. "The Curse" which reminds us Johnny Cash features a laconic guitar which means a lot of feeling. During all the album, we hear a steel guitar to attest it's country music but it reached new dimensions. Steel guitar on this album goes on the way with Yoakam's voice. Why this album is perfect ? It's a blend of traditionnal music (listen to "Traveller's Lantern"), thrilling ballads ("A Long Way Home"), raunchy Rockabilly ("Only Want You No More"). This album reminds us the first Yoakam's recordings but with a new dimension. Thanks to this maverick, Rock'n'Roll Spirit is still alive and the trueness of Country music is safe. Million dollar moments for a few dollars CD. What's better ?Free Music Review: solid Dwight
Hit: 5 Stars
A lot of critics would flog this album because they say it's not evolutionary or unique. Let me tell those pokes something. This *is* country music. This is his most consistent and enjoyable album since This Time. I listen to this without hitting the 'next' button on the CD player. And that is rare, even when you consider that it's packed with 13 well merited songs for your dollars. "These Arms" and the title track are classic sounding Bakersfield Dwight Yoakam . "Traveler's Lantern" is about as close to quality bluegrass (an homage to his Kentucky roots?) as you will hear with contemporary Country (not to mention with a wonderful lyrical landscape). "That's Okay", "Curse", and "Things Change" will have you singing along unapologetically. And what would a Dwight project be without a weeper such as "I'll Just Take These" and a rocker like "Only You Want More"?
I can't believe how overlooked this album is in his catalog. Dwight and Pete Anderson get all due respect from me whenever they put someting on platter. Great job, guys!