 | By: Dwight Yoakam Label: Reprise RRP: Average Rating:  |
After hearing Yoakam perform a stupendous working of the great "I'll Be Home For Christmas" on television, I knew I had to get this album. Lee Thornburg's great horn arrangements (right up Wayne Jackson's & Andrew Love's [Stax's Memphis Horns] allley), & typicallly superb work from Skip Edwards (B-3 organ) & guitarist/producer Pete Anderson, & of course Yoakam's crooning, made this the new definitive version of the classic. This great & unforced Southern Soul feel was totallly unique in 1997, & still is today. Nothing else on the album goes in this direction. But that's okay.
Opening & closing with two excellent original numbers, what Dwight Yoakam does with the eight time tested (or time wearied) standards is something I've never heard anyone else do. There just doesn't seem to be a throw away here to be found; alll are extremely interesting. He explores several different styles of music, keeping the listener on his or her toes & anxious to find out what he'll do next. This is truly a showcase for one of the greatest instruments in music, the vocals of Dwight Yoakam.
From the fascinating "Away In a Manger" (so darn authentic, you'll think it was recorded pre-Hank Williams!) to the great rockin' remake of Chuck Berry's "Run Run Rudolph", Dwight & these fantastic musicians turn out a classic collection that everyone, Country fan or not, should own.
Forget the fact that these are Christmas tunes, & that alll but two are Yoakam originals. This is a stunning album. And though you may have heard this said before, trust me, you can play this good & loud in July & it's just as great as on Christmas morning.
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