My Dwight Masterpiece: If There Was a Way
Tonight I’m reaching back to the archives for my favorite Dwight Yoakam album, 1990’s If There Was a Way. It’s a great record start to finish, and my cassette – yes cassette – got many listens in its day. Dwight has always remained a steadfastly old-school country-boogie-swingin’ honky-tonk man.
My two favorites off the album are the title track, and “Turn it On, Turn it Up, Turn Me Loose”. The latter track I’ve been looking for on YouTube for a while, and I finally found it. Who uploaded it to YouTube? Why, Warner Brothers Records, believe it or not! A step in the right direction, as the labels are figuring out how important this medium is to the future (and past) of music.
Dwight does himself a little acting in this video for “Turn it On…” As you may know, Dwight’s also established himself as a formidable actor in Hollywood. You all remember him as that prick Doyle in Sling Blade, right? This video precedes his first movie role, 1992’s Red Rock West, by two years.
So, in the annals of songs I’ll always love, I give you the video, courtesy of Warner Brothers, for “Turn It On, Turn It Up, Turn Me Loose.”
“If a tear should fall
If I should whisper her name
To some stranger I’m holdin’
While we’re dancin to an old Buck Owens soooong”So naturally, your next inclination is to buy the album: If There Was a Way
Dwight’s Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc. Etc.
My appreciation for country music has always lied squarely outside of the Nashville mainstream country machine. I’ll take the old school country any day of the week: the Willies, Waylons, and Johnny Cashes. But the manufactured new school of country will never interest me. Not to knock ’em, but I don’t see myself ever getting into Toby Keith, Rascall Flatts, Brad Paisley, or for crikey’s sake, Carrie Underwood (TM). Now I see another American Idol princess of the ditzballs, Kelly Pickler (TM), has a debut album. And what is a Dierks Bentley?? (To be fair, if anyone wants to recommend the best of the New Nashville in the comments, feel free). It’s just that anything that makes me think of George W. Bush and red staters just makes me, well, not listen (and I live smack dab in the middle of a red state – egads, they’re everywhere!).
One of the artists I’ve always admired, and who has always stuck to his independent, honky tonkin’ ways is Dwight Yoakam. In my late teen years, between 1986 and 1990, he released these great four albums: Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc. Etc., Hillbilly Deluxe, Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room, and my favorite, If There Was a Way (mostly due to the title track and “Turn it On, Turn it Up, Turn Me Loose”). All fantastic albums, all dabbling in traditional country, western swing, and good ol’ hillbilly honky-tonk music.
Well now Rhino, yes Rhino again, has released a special 20th Anniversary deluxe edition of Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc. Etc. 2 discs of music containing early demos from 1981, a remastered album, and an entire live 1986 show from the Roxy in Hollywood. Yep, Dwight is so far outside the Nashville mainstream that he’s called Los Angeles home since 1977 (he turned 50 on Oct. 23rd).
I listened to the live show tonight. Dwight Yoakam live and loose on the Sunset Strip, playing to the likes of John Fogerty and Emmylou Harris. Belting out his early hits (“Guitars, Cadillacs”, “I’ll Be Gone”) as well as some classics (Bill Monroe’s “Rocky Road Blues”, “Mystery Train”, Hank Williams’ “My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It”).
So definitely folks, the Ickmusic Seal of Approval is dipped into a tub of moonshine and *dinggg* firmly adhered to this CD (and all D.Y. albums for that matter).
Dwight Yoakam: This Drinkin’ Will Kill Me (mp3 – the 1981 demo version)Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc. Etc. eCard | The Rhino Listening Party.
Dwight’s Official Site.
Buy the Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc. Etc. Deluxe Edition.
GUITARS, CADILLACS, ETC., ETC.
Track ListingDisc 1
The 1981 Demos
1. “This Drinkin’ Will Kill Me”
2. “It Won’t Hurt”
3. “I’ll Be Gone”
4. “Floyd County”
5. “You’re The One”
6. “Twenty Years”
7. “Please Daddy”
8. “Miner’s Prayer”
9. “I Sang Dixie”
10. “Bury Me”Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.
11. “Honky Tonk Man”
12. “It Won’t Hurt”
13. “I’ll Be Gone”
14. “South Of Cincinnati”
15. “Bury Me” – Duet with Maria McKee
16. “Guitars, Cadillacs”
17. “Twenty Years
18. “Ring Of Fire”
19. “Miner’s Prayer”
20. “Heartaches By The Number”Disc 2
Live at The Roxy 1986
1. “Hear Me Calling”
2. “Honky Tonk Man”*
3. “Guitars, Cadillacs”*
4. “Rocky Road Blues”*
5. “Heartaches By The Number”
6. “I’ll Be Gone”*
7. “It Won’t Hurt”*
8. “My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It”
9. “South Of Cincinnati”*
10. “Mystery Train”*
11. “Ring Of Fire”*
12. “Since I Started Drinking Again”**Previously Unissued
Buck + Dwight = Hank
The last week has featured some Cajun sounds, a little 80’s Minneapolis funk, and some old school country. Now to marry it all up, it’s Buckwheat Zydeco’s collaboration with Dwight Yoakam. They got together in 1990 to lay down their take on Hank Williams’ “Hey Good Lookin'”, and I love the result.
Dural’s accordion shares the spotlight, as he and Yoakam trade verses and put their mark on this classic tune.Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural was born in Lafayette, Louisiana in 1947. His mentor was the late Clifton Chenier, the “King of Zydeco”. It’s obvious that I need to visit New Orleans as fast as humanly possible. I just might never come back.
Buckwheat Zydeco (w/ Dwight Yoakam): Hey Good Lookin’
- Buy ‘Where there’s Smoke There’s Fire’ on Amazon (you can get it used for $1.75, so do yourself a favor).
- Buy his 2005 release, ‘Jackpot’.
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