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CD Review: South of Heaven, West of Hell - Dwight Yoakam

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Reviewed by Carrie Attebury

A lot of people don't realize that there is more to Dwight Yoakam than just ripped jeans and that Bakersfield twang. Dwight has been an actor since his high school days in his home state of Ohio. More recently, he has drawn critical acclaim in the movie Slingblade and for composing the soundtrack for the movie "Chasers." "South Of Heaven, West Of Hell" is Dwight's directorial debut. He co-wrote the movie and plays the lead role alongside Vince Vaughn, Bridget Fonda, Billy Bob Thornton, Peter Fonda, Michael Jeter, Bo Hopkins, Luke Askew and Warren Zevon. Dwight wrote/co-wrote and arranged the soundtrack album. One of my favorite things about the album is that some of the dialogue from the movie is included. It really helps paint a picture of what the movie is about.

"Words" is one of the most beautiful pieces of music that I have ever heard. The soft piano music throughout, combined with Dwight's soft mournful vocals, is just awesome. To bring the

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album full circle, this song begins and ends the album. The first selection features Dwight on vocals and the second version is an instrumental featuring Lee Thornberg.

"Who At The Door Is Standing" is an awesome gospel hymn type song that features Bekka Bramlett. Dwight doesn't do duets very often, but when he does he really does them right!

"Tears For Two" contains the shuffling Bakersfield beat that is Dwight's signature sound.

"The Darkest Hour" is a good old bluegrass style hymn. I have always loved Dwight's fast-paced music, but it is songs like this that really show how talented he is as a singer.

"The First Thing Smokin'" is an upbeat, honky tonk style tune. The edginess of the guitar and the tinkling of the piano notes combined with Dwight's signature twang really make this song HOT! Billy Gibbons of rock and roll group ZZ Top co-wrote this tune.

"What's Left Of Me," which Dwight co-wrote with Mick Jaggar of the Rolling Stones, is a song about a guy who is down on his luck. "What's left of me is not worth much - just memories, heartaches and such. The most of which I wouldn't trust. 'Cause what's left of me is not enough."

"The Last Surrender" is a hymn style song that brings to my mind soldiers going off to war. But the title of the movie being what it is, I can see this being about those who will go to heaven and have eternal life. The rest will die in hell fire and damnation.

Song List:

  1. "Words"
  2. "Old Friend"
  3. "Who At The Door Is Standing" (with Bekka Bramlett)
  4. "Good Afternoon"
  5. "Tears For Two"
  6. "Ma'am"
  7. "The Darkest Hour"
  8. "When You Was Shot"
  9. "The First Thing Smokin'
  10. "How Long Was It"
  11. "What's Left Of Me"
  12. "All Anybody Can Do"
  13. "Somewhere"
  14. "A Lotta Good People"
  15. "The Last Surrender"
  16. "Show Them Your Badge"
  17. "No Future In Sight"
  18. "Existence"
  19. "It Is Well With My Soul"
  20. "Words" (Instrumental)

All graphics © Shelly Fabian, except the album cover, used with permission of Warner Brothers.

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