| That's Why I Sing This Way - Daryle Singletary | |
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Reviewed by Jennifer Webb
Daryle Singletary is an artist that wants to give thanks to his musical influences by recording a few of their songs in the best way possible, and he has accomplished his goals with, That's Why I Sing This Way. Rhonda Vincent and her brother, Darrin, do background harmony on all of the songs, which are remakes, except for the first single, "That's Why I Sing This Way."
The Buck Owens "Bakersfield Sound" is touched upon with the well-known tune, "Love's Gonna Live Here Again." To enhance Daryle's traditional-yet-still-modernized version, Dwight Yoakam lends a helping hand with his signature style as the background vocals. The song itself is about what everyone feels after a heartache - they want to break free from the sadness and experience another loving relationship once again; "No more loneliness, only happiness."
As if he is quietly giving a nod of approval to the musical direction Mr. Singletary is taking with his talents, George Jones lends his voice as the harmonizing vocals in the remake of his song, "Walk Through This World with Me." The song tells a tale of a man waiting a long time to find the love of his life and how once he found her, he wants to be with her for the rest of his life.
Taking us all back to the upbeat honky-tonk tunes that Daryle released and was most known for in the beginning of his career, "That's Why I Sing This Way," the title cut, is all about being a little boy listening to his musical hero and dreaming about being just like him when he got older. At an older age, the boy moved out to Nashville to try to catch a glimpse of his favorite country music idol, George Jones, however he realized that he probably would not see him because he "doesn't drink anymore." "Momma used to whip me with a George Jones album, that's why I sing this way," he says in the song's hook.
"Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (and Loud, Loud, Music)" is a song that I equate with Bluegrass artists Flatt & Scruggs, as well as Ricky Skaggs, but I never thought about someone turning it into a song that is primarily guitars and drums instead of mandolin and banjo; thus making Daryle's version an absolute treat to listen and sing along to. The tempo is brought down to more of a medium pace and would be an ideal song to grab a partner and head out on the dance floor to have a good time, while listening to the lyrics paint a picture of a wild woman that is only interested in drinking and dancing.
Rhonda Vincent makes a wonderful duet partner with Daryle as they sing the popular duet, "After The Fire is Gone," a song that has been performed by George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, and even Willie Nelson. The fusion of Daryle's baritone and Rhonda's soprano voices fit perfectly together as they sing about a fiery romance that is now "cold as ashes," as they start thinking about leaving to start a new life, apart from one another.
Along with his previous hit tunes, "Too Much Fun," "I Let Her Lie," "Amen Kind of Love," and "The Note," who knows how many more appreciative fans Daryle will gain after this album is released, not only because of his true honky-tonk style, but also because of the fact he is being respectful to the artists that paved the way for him to be able to be in country music today.
Song List:
- That's Why I Sing This Way
- I Never Go Around Mirrors
- Love's Gonna Live Here Again
- I'd Love To Lay You Down
- Long Black Veil
- Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music)
- After The Fire Is Gone
- Walk Through This World With Me
- Old Violin
- Kay
Sound clips courtesy of Daryle Singletary's Official Website
Album cover, used with permission of Audium.
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