The Bottom Line
Pros
- Stop The World (And Let Me Off)
- Loco Motion
- Paradise/I Said
Cons
- Several great "used records" missing, notably "Common Day Man" & "Holding Things Together."
Description
- Collected from Dwight's contributions to others' records for the past decade.
- 14 tracks, including a double track of John Prine's "Paradise."
- Duets with Ralph Stanley, Deana Carter, Heather Myles.
Guide Review - Used Records - Dwight Yoakam
It's pretty clear that Dwight Yoakam can do any song at all and make it a country song; he can sing not only his own songs, but easily re-molds others' songs as his own. Take one of the new tracks on "Used Records." Who else would have the moxy to take the old "Loco-Motion," turn it country, and then deliver it as though he were channeling Elvis? Obviously, the guy who did the same thing with "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and "I Want You To Want Me."Dwight has worked on albums with dozens of people over the years and it's because of his presence that a number of fans have albums by Ralph Stanley and Deana Carter in their collection. But he's done so much of it that it's practically impossible to keep track, so it's nice that so many of these collaborations have been gathered here in one place. There are a few holes, with several songs notably missing, and "Mercury Blues" was just released on his box set. Still, hearing Dwight's whiskey-smooth voice take on a John Prine classic is worth the price of admission alone (and leads me to wonder why he has never covered Bob Dylan).
Yoakam's diversity as an artist is clear as the collection roams from pure mountain music ("Miner's Prayer," "Down Where The River Bends") to the hardcore country-rock of "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide." He takes on Waylon ("Stop The World") and the Man in Black ("Understand Your Man") with almost ridiculous ease. It's no stretch to say he's likely the greatest country artist of his generation.
