Dreamland - Dale Watson

In the underground world of real country music, honky-tonk and Americana, Dale Watson reigns supreme. He reaches out and grabs the gold coin with this newest release. There's not a singer alive who can do it better than Dale.

Dale Watson is, in my mind (where all is right with the world), the reigning King of Country Music. With his thundering, emotion-laden baritone and wicked guitar chops, skilled pen and ability to fuse words and melody, he is today's Merle Haggard, the most eloquent and extraordinary honky-tonk singer you'll find.

Don't call him retro. His music is fresh, crisp, brand-new. He sings honky-tonk music the way it should sound. Watson calls "Dreamland" "the best honky-tonk record I've ever made." Easily. May be one of the best honky-tonk records anyone has ever made. Dale Watson's music is the heart, the soul, and the power of country music; this album is what honky-tonk is all about. With the amazingly skilled Ray Benson holding the producer's reins (along with guitar and background vocals), this album is outstanding. I simply can't say enough good things about "Dreamland," which is just so damned good it's hard not to gush. There are 12 powerful tracks, ranging from heartbreakers like "I Wish You'd Come Around," "She Don't Care," and "Dreamland" to good-timing tunes like "Honky-Tonkers Don't Cry," "I Don't Rock No Cradle," and "Pretty Girls."

As a writer, Dale wrote 11 of the tracks, co-writing "California Wine" with Larry Dean and "Way Down Texas Way" with Gene Kurtz. He adds a spot-on cover of Tony Hazzard's "Fox on the Run," which was a hit for Tom T. Hall. I have run out of adjectives to describe how good this album is; you'll have to judge for yourselves.