Customer Reviews

Dwight Live

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dwight Yoakam may be the most underappreciated of contemporary artists. He has, from day one, been catergorized as a country artist, but whether he's doing country, western, bluegrass, blues, soul, or just good ole rock and roll, it's just pure Dwight. He has an ability to merge musical styles and make things his own, like that of a Ray Charles or an Otis Redding. And music aside, he may be the best lyric writer in any genre'. Unlike most country artists, whose live outings seem to be packaged, over produced, virtual replicas of their recordings, Yoakam does as great soul artists do. He takes his songs and his great band to inspiring new heights. His version of "Lonesome Roads" oozes soul, far outdoing the original, and has brilliant work by the extremely underrated guitarist, Pete Anderson and fiddle wonder, Scott Joss. The band's tight work on "Long White Cadillac" becomes an orgasmic jam with all the excitement of a Booker T. & the MGs workout. At first listen, a casual Yoakam fan may not appreciate its greatness. But this may be, aside from perhaps either of his two greatest hits collections, the quintessential Dwight Yoakam album.

Dwight Yoakam has taken a more contemporary approach in recent years which career wise makes sense. You still get the truck-drivin' edge from the 80's, mixed with the crisp vocal 90's ballads creating a good balance for the 2000's. If your looking for that on this cd, forget it! Stay with his studio albums. "Dwight Live" is a butt-kickin' concert disc with no holds barred. It's the best thing besides being there, which I personally saw first hand last year at the Tennis Masters Stadium,Indian Wells, Calif. What makes this album go is the band, which brings a whole new meaning to the term "Country Rock". Since it's live, they get more leadway to jam a little matching Mr. Yoakam's "Cool Hand Luke" vocals. If you like concert albums as much as studio like myself, check out "Dwight Live". For those who view these projects as artist throw-aways, it won't change your opinion.

Overall, this collection is even bigger and better than his "Greatest Hits." Yoakam handles up-beat burners like "Little Sister" and "Long White Cadillac", as well as the ballads, "The Heart That You Own" and "Miner's Prayer", equally well. There's no filler in this bunch. Highly recommended!

I just say Dwight in concert and he is probably the best live country act on the road today. After the show, I immediately bought this CD and must say that it does a very good job of replicating the concert sounds. There are lots of good honkey tonk guitar jams and an incredible acoustic version of Miners Prayer. A must buy for fans of Dwight.

Simply amazing. Dwight transends country music

Hard core soul rocker that I have been since I was doing covers of Percy, Otis, James and Sam & Dave in '64, I have seen The White Light. And it is Right Here.

Ya see... ya got every single solitary component of what made Roy, Elvis, Buck, George, Conway and Hank the high priests of this genre right here in one religious conversion experience.

I had never been to the Country before. But I took on a gig with this pedal steel session giant named Stan Joyce back in '96 and had to learn all these tunes I'd never even heard of. I cringed at a few, winced at some, and found myself liking many of the ten-step ditties of the time.

But I went right over the dam when I heard "Fast as You" and "Long White Kitty" for the first time. I trotted myself right on =Down= to the record store and got me one of these before the sun sank. I was not disappointed in the rest of it.

Thirteen years later I know every word and every inflection by heart. I've performed every one of these tunes at one time or another and never failed to ring someone's bell with them.

Stan swore that a half dozen of the tone poems here are laments about Dwight's crossing paths with a certain actress famed for playing =very= bad wimmin. If so, it must have been a "Rocky Road," 'cause these are some of the most soulful lyrics I've ever run into... and considering all the Marvin Gaye, Barry White, Isaac Hayes and Lenny Williams tunes I've done in the last 35 years, that's saying something.

Now, on top of all that, there's this =band=. Good gravey, ladies and gentlemen, I didn't think white people could play like this (and I =am= white). If James Burdon was the Jimi Hendrix of flat-picking, this Pete Anderson is the Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Fer crissake, don't waste any more time reading this rant. Just order one of these regardless of the freight. Now. (You can thank me later.)

I'm a big Dwight Yoakam fan and while living in London, England I saw this CD and had to buy it. Miner's Prayer and Rocky Road Blues are my favorites. Of course the old stand bys are great also (Long White Cadillac, Lonesome Roads, and Wild Ride to name a few). I have never seen Dwight live but if this CD is what his shows are like then count me in!

The most inspiring aspect of this exceptional concert recording is its musicianship. Sure, Yoakam's vocals are solid, excpet for some rushed phrasing and slurred lyrics, but it's the bandsmen -- led by guitar-slinging virtuoso Pete Anderson -- who check their studio-polite polish at the door and sink their chops into a gallery of well crafted tunes. Most impressive is "Please, Please, Baby," an adequate toe-tapper when recorded in the studio, but here transformed into a body-slamming, wall-breaking thriller when infused with Anderson and company's high-octane, peddle-to-the-metal gusto. Same can be said for Yoakam staples "Little Ways," "Wild Ride," "Fast As You," and "Long White Cadillac." Not that this disc shines only on the up-tempo offerings... the ballads are equally intoxicating in their own heart-yanking manner. "The Heart That You Own," "Lonesome Roads," and "Two Doors Down" blend Yoakam's angst-filled lyrics, his whiskey-drenched voice, and hypnotic intrumentals into dizzying, aural ecstasy. Only missteps are opening and closing numbers -- a sloppy rendition of "Little Sister" and an overproduced "Suspicious Minds." But don't let these disappointing bookends steer you from the greatness in between.

Even if you have his greatest hits, the Reprise box set, or albums containing the studio versions of these songs, this live album is STILL a MUST. The energy and musicianship, not mention Dwight's own incomparable vocals, are fantatsic. And there are great live versions of songs you can't find anywhere else, like Rocky Road Blues, Fast As You, Long White Cadillac, Two Doors Down and more. Whether you're just now catching on to the genius and talent of DY's music, or are already a fan with lots of his albums, this is one you won't regret owning. It'd certainly one of my top 3 favorites.

Each of these songs are a definite must listen..all the favourites are on this one..almost makes you feel like you are there again..at that wonderful place..listening and watching A GREAT SHOW!!The sound quality and versions of the songs are remarkable~and segues into the next with no interruptions~these songs on this LIVE "album" are from a recording in San Francisco and you get that hometown feel of being upclose and personal to enjoy for your listening pleasure at home/work or in your car..Buy it..Listen..and ENJOY!!~