| Live in London, England - Dale Watson | |
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Reviewed by Matt Bjorke
Dale Watson is not heard on your local radio station; that is if you don't live in Texas. That is a shame because Dale Watson is simply one of the purest country music vocalists. From the opening line of "Real Country Song" to the ending notes of "Call It A Night," the CD, Live in London, England!, is a hard core honky tonk collection.
Dale Watson is one of those rare artists who doesn't stray from his vision for his music. He will not and cannot compromise his talents just to get radio airplay. He also wears his heart on his sleeve. He laments the fact that there's not "real country songs" on the radio.
Possessing a voice that's equally parts Haggard, Jones and Elvis rolled into one, Dale Watson will also mystify you with his lyrics and guitar playing. Live In London…England! is a collection of new and old and was recorded in 2000. After a few years on Hightone Records, Dale has moved over to Audium Records, an independent powerhouse that keeps the music country.
"Real Country Song" is one of the better songs that I have heard that displays many people's attitudes about the current situation of country music radio. Where "Murder On Music Row" fails, "Real Country Song" is dead on.
"Can't Be Satisfied" is a three minute rockin' song about a guy who loves to go out honky tonks while he claims to not be satisfied with his wife at home so he cheats on her. This is a cheatin' song like those that used to be on radio long ago.
There are a few cover tracks on this fine album. The best of the bunch is Dale's version o the Merle Haggard classic "Mama's Hungry Eyes." As beautiful and full of deep emotion as Merle's own recording, Dale nonetheless makes the song his own.
"Legends (What If)" was written to show Dale's displeasure with modern country. While he says he doesn't dislike what Garth, Shania, et al. are doing, Dale nonetheless says they are "not country." This song is a steel drenched affair that chronicles how radio abandoned all the living legends for the modern sounds yet there's no one to join the legends.
"Nashville Rash" is Dale's humorous take about how he's "Too country for Country" "I'm too country for country, ain't that like Johnny Cash, help me Merle, I'm breaking out in a Nashville rash." The song even mentions how it breaks his heart to listen to Shania Twain.
"I Hate These Songs" has a shuffle beat and is the title track to one of Dale's previous albums. Displaying what ballads were all about, this song talks about a guy who has a broken heart and he hates hearing all the love songs. "Turn Off The Jukebox" also has a similar theme.
"How To Break Your Own Heart" is a two-step song that is a step by step guide on how to break your heart. Featuring the usual dose of Steel guitar, this track is a newly written song that should be played on the radio.
"Country My Ass" is a cynical song about how some singers are generated by the music row and how they get to the top. This song is sure to tick off the modern country fans and be embraced by the traditional fans. This track features a guest vocal by Hank Williams III.
Yeah it's a cover song, sure I said that "Mama's Hungry Eyes" was my favorite of the covers on this album but I must confess to liking this great version of Johnny Cash's "I Got Stripes." From the Folsom Prison album, this track showcases what was great about country music, it talked about everyone, even a guy in jail.
With his honest and heartfelt sound, Dale Watson is one artist who will delight those who yearn for a new traditionalist to listen to. While he laments about not having any legends anymore in country music, Dale Watson is quickly proving himself to be a living legend in his own right.
Song List:
Album cover, used with permission of Audium.
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