Dwight Yoakam - Dwight Sings Buck

Dwight Yoakam. Buck Owens. The combination has been long, long overdue. Although it is true that Dwight has been singing Buck's songs right from the beginning of his career (including mega- hit duet with Buck himself, "Streets of Bakersfield"), this is the first time he's done nothing but Buck songs on a single disc, paying tribute to the one artist who was probably the biggest influence on him. Dwight's distinctive voice is tailor-made to take on some of Buck's biggest hits, those Bakersfield honky-tonk classics that helped define an entire sound in the realm of country music.

Dwight Yoakam is simply getting better with age. As he's matured, so has his voice. He's sounding magnificent, and he's taking on something very close to his heart. He's reached a point where he's obviously comfortable enough with himself and his own music to finally turn to his greatest inspiration in music as well as dear friend, and put out an entire disc paying tribute to Buck Owens, who sadly passed away early last year. There's no doubt that Dwight has been working on this one for a while, waiting for the exact right time to put it out. Of course, that he'd timed it in conjunction with several other Buck tributes (including the Derailer's fine recent release, Under The Influence of Buck) is just luck - it doesn't coincide with either the anniversary of Buck's death (March) nor with his birthday (August). It just always seems that once someone hits a good idea - like remembering the country music greats - they come in big clumps. But you cannot possibly accuse Dwight Yoakam of coming late to Buck's music, jumping on a bandwagon. No, sir. Dwight Yoakam was the man who pulled Buck out of retirement back in the 80's, and has been his friend and champion ever since, bringing Buck's music to a whole new generation of fans through hits like "Streets of Bakersfield" and his live shows, as well as performances at Buck's Crystal Palace in Bakersfield. It's no stretch to plain call Dwight a Buck Owens fan.

And so comes this disc. It's good. You cannot deny that Dwight Yoakam can really make a Buck song shine. From the more obscure first single, "Close Up The Honky Tonks," to the mega hits "Act Naturally" and "Love's Gonna Live Here," Dwight sparkles. But... (you had to know there was a "but") I still miss Pete Anderson's glorious guitar improvisation on Dwight's music. Part of my brain was waiting for some of those magnificent signature licks on "My Heart Skips a Beat" and "Foolin' Around," and felt kind of bereft when I didn't hear them. Now, I know Dwight and Anderson have parted ways, probably for good, and I have to get used to Dwight's new sound. It's just taking me a while to get there. After all, he's still Dwight. So this is a pretty good bridge. By the time the disc gets to "Only You," I was getting the feel of Eddie Perez's admittedly strong work. Also playing with Dwight are superior pedal steel player Josh Grange, bass player Kevin Smith, and drummer Mitch Marine, with guests Skip Edwards on acoustic piano on "Together Again" and percussion from Bobby Hall on "Close Up The Honky Tonks." Together with Dwight's own arrangements on the tunes, they re-imagine Buck's songs as well as remaining true to their basic essence, that beautiful honky-tonk Bakersfield sound.