Dwight Yoakam - South of Heaven West of Hell
List Price:
Our Price: $6.98
You Save: $6.94 (50%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $1.86 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Artist: Dwight YoakamEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
CD Release Date: 2001-10-02
Music Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Soundtracks:
- Words
- "Old Friend"
- Who At The Door Is Standing (with Bekka Bramlett)
- "Good Afternoon"
- Tears For Two
- "Ma'am"
- The Darkest Hour
- "When You Was Shot"
- The First Thing Smokin'
- "How Long Was It"
- What's Left Of Me
- "All Anybody Can Do"
- Somewhere
- "A Lotta Good People"
- The Last Surrender
- "Show Them Your Badge"
- No Future In Sight
- "Existence"
- It Is Well With My Soul
- Words (Instrumental)
Free Music Notes for South of Heaven West of Hell
Free Music Review: Country Music for the Soul
Hit: 5 Stars
It's very difficult to come up with new words for "excellence" when it comes to discussing the works of Dwight Yoakam.In the "companion soundtrack" to his movie "South of Heaven, West of Hell," Mr. Yoakam once again raises the bar of superior craftsmanship that has characterized his work since the beginning of his career.
This album is not truly a "soundtrack" as that word is defined, and certainly not as most soundtracks are. The songs presented on this disc are, for the most part, not in the movie at all. Instead, as Mr. Yoakam has claimed, they are merely meant to capture the feel of the film-he has presented here a study of his main character's thoughts, feelings, and actions.
But quite aside from the film, the "companion soundtrack" is Dwight Yoakam's brilliance displayed on yet another level, and stands alone exceptionally well.
The disc begins with "Words," which actually is the theme song of the movie. Here, Dwight Yoakam has presented the actual lyrics to this song (which do not appear in the movie): "Words are not my friend ... they'll watch as you stumble, then laugh when you fall." Lyrically, it is cynical; musically it is soaring, inspirational, and sets the tone for the disc to come.
Each song is a nod to Mr. Yoakam's own spirituality, his sense of the otherworldly, and his reverence for the topic. There are 10 songs, of which Dwight himself wrote (or co-wrote) six. The other four are traditional gospel hymns, bluegrass/Appalachian-style old time music which, here presented, demonstrate that Mr. Yoakam is indeed a Kentucky hillbilly, Hollywood trappings aside.
After "Words" is the traditional "Who at the Door is Standing," a duet with Bekka Bramlett. The arrangement is bluesy, the delivery powerful. Ms. Bramlett is an exceptionally strong vocalist, and her voice merges well with Dwight's. Now we have been set up, so we are led to "Tears for Two," which Dwight wrote with Holly Lamar. It's a spritely number, one he has been presenting in concert during this 2001 tour; while containing Dwight's very distinctive and unmistakable vocals, it's also quite different from his usual psycho-billy hot-country honky-tonk style.
"The Darkest Hour," a traditional gospel tune, is presented here in a very clear, stripped-down, bluegrass style, just a jangle of banjo and guitar, a little percussion. This is another tune Mr. Yoakam has been doing in the 2001 tour, and while I have to say the live version-particularly after September 11-has more poignancy, I am becoming very fond of the simple, heartfelt version presented here on the disc.
"The First Thing Smokin'" is back to Dwight as we've seen him before-hard rockin' country, just this side of the Alabama/Georgia bad boys, but the lyrics remain true to the overall gospel feel of the album: "I ran all night with the damned and the wicked/Tryin' to break out into the clear."
"What's Left of Me" pairs writer Dwight with an unusual partner: Mick Jagger co-wrote this shufflin' honky-tonk tune with Mr. Yoakam, as though to prove he's perfectly justified in wooing that "Honky Tonk Woman" of his. Although this is a favorite track of mine, personally, I think it may actually have been better suited to "Tomorrow's Sounds Today," as it is a straight-up country love song. Still, this appears to be the "section of the movie" where love is proving triumphant, for the next song is "Somewhere," a solo-penned effort that speaks to the longing heart, searching for that one true companion of happiness.
The final three songs return to the gospel sound, with Dwight's own "The Last Surrender," "No Future in Sight," and the traditional "It Is Well With My Soul." Mr. Yoakam is vocally strong in each track, standing on the final note of "It Is Well" in a combination of pride and reverence for just long enough so that it lifts the spirit and carries the listener into the final, jazzy instrumental version of "Words," which rolled over the final credits of "South of Heaven," to quietly lower us back to earth.
Sandwiched between the songs are snippets of dialog, set pieces from the film, some of them fairly important lines; others that merely capture the dark humor and sense of absurdity that typify the whole of the film.
As a whole, the companion soundtrack album is very nearly perfectly conceived and executed. As always, Mr. Yoakam's backup band is in top form, demonstrating even more of their talent as Dwight himself takes a hand at dobro and hot lead guitarist Pete Anderson shows his skill at baritone guitar, percussion, banjo, and mandolin. In his normal manner, Dwight Yoakam looks away from the Nashville faux-country cookie-cutter sound and makes his own shape. He walks his own road and pays no attention to "what sells," and as such, his music stays as true and real and strong; no, far, FAR stronger, than anything being played on country radio today, as of course, not one of these songs will be heard on country radio. This is country radio's loss, and your gain if you buy this album.
Country Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in Country Music CDs
Johnie Lewis - Alabama Slide GuitarRelease date: 1998-01-20; Music CD
Best price: $6.98
Price in other shops:
Lightnin Hopkins - Texas BluesRelease date: 1993-11-30; Music CD
Best price: $11.59
Price in other shops:
Lewis - LegendsRelease date: 1986-11-01; Music CD
Price in other shops:
![Hotel California [Vinyl] Image](/images/Hotel-California-Vinyl-B0000001D6-X.jpg)
Eagles - Hotel California [Vinyl]Release date: 1997-12-05; Music CD
Best price: $229.99
Ccr - Bayou CountryRelease date: 1993-06-18; Music CD
Best price: $84.99
Taj Mahal - Senor BluesRelease date: 1997-06-17; Music CD
Best price: $8.99
Price in other shops:
Fonte VivaMusic CD
Blackland Farmer-Complete StarBear Family (GE; Published: 2008-02; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $74.98
Taken By Surpriseby Red Hot Burritos
Published: 1992; Music CD
Best price: $19.99
Christmas Joy: Solo Piano for the Holidaysby Deborah Offenhauser
Pba Music Pub; Published: 2005-11-30; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $23.99
Top Rated Albums
Dwight Yoakam - Hillbilly DeluxeRelease date: 2008-04-29; Music CD
Best price: $2.76
Price in other shops:
Dwight Yoakam - Buenas Noches From a Lonely RoomRelease date: 2008-04-29; Music CD
Best price: $3.90
Price in other shops:
Dwight Yoakam - Population MeRelease date: 2003-06-24; Music CD
Best price: $29.99
Dwight Yoakam - GoneRelease date: 1995-10-31; Music CD
Best price: $10.00
Dwight Yoakam - Dwightyoakamacoustic.NetRelease date: 2000-05-30; Music CD
Best price: $6.66
Price in other shops:
Dwight Yoakam - Under the CoversRelease date: 1997-07-15; Music CD
Best price: $6.67
Price in other shops:
Dwight Yoakam - Blame the VainBaker Drivetrain; Release date: 2005-06-14; Music CD
Best price: $9.44
Price in other shops:
Dwight Yoakam - Tomorrow's Sounds TodayRelease date: 2000-10-31; Music CD
Best price: $27.47
Dwight Yoakam - In Other's WordsRelease date: 2003-09-23; Music CD
Best price: $33.00
Dwight Yoakam - A Long Way HomeRelease date: 2010-11-23; Music CD
Best price: $9.21
Price in other shops: