Customer Reviews

Every Song I Write Is For You

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

 

 

I really didn't know what to expect when I picked up EVERY SONG I WRITE IS FOR YOU, my first purchase from Dale Watson's catalog; I'd heard good things about his live show, but that was it. But with it being a slow summer for decent new music, I thought "What the heck?" With his pompadour and tattoos, the wide leather biker watchbands and tight black tee shirts, I was expecting someone along the rockabilly lines of Brian Setzer or Eric Heatherly or, at the very least, someone with the rockabilly leanings of Billy Burnette or Chris Isaak. Imagine my surprise when, upon my first listen, I realized Watson is much closer to Merle Haggard, George Jones and, yes, even George Strait, with a touch of Asleep At The Wheel tossed in. But there is even more to this CD than it's many genre-crossing mysteries - EVERY SONG.... is quite possibly the most nakedly honest CD about the loss of a loved one since Cindy Bullens' brilliant SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HEAVEN & EARTH two years ago. And therein lies the CD's key strength.....very few men are willing to open up the way Watson does, and it's this equal blend of virility and vulnerability that makes this CD such a winner. The CD has a number of stand-out tracks, the first of which is "You're The Best Part of Me." With it's silky swing vibe and soulful steel guitar, this is the word "romantic" at it's best. Just listen to that piano! Hard to believe such a great toe-tapper could be wrapped around such searing lyrics. Next up is "I'd Deal With The Devil." If there was ever any doubt as to Watson's songwriting ability, this one track would clear it all up. "Raw" is the only way to describe it....the emotion, the anger, the desperation. Mix that with an instrumental arrangement that always enhances but never overpowers and you have a true country classic. "Your Love I'm Gonna Miss" is also a classic, but for an entirely different reason. With it's gentle gate and narrative vocal, the listener almost feels like a fly on the wall, observing just what a powerfully entwined relationship these lovers had. I also love "Money Can't Buy Her Love", simply because of it's wise philosophy: True love is given, never bought (O.K., the classic honky tonk attitude doesn't hurt either!). Up next is the poignant "I See My Future." This understated ballad is both beautiful and chilling in it's simplicity. It also shows that one person is not that different from the next, that our paths can all be the same.....if you choose to let them be, for better or for worse. "I See My Future" would be a great candidate for the centerpiece tune on EVERY SONG I WRITE IS FOR YOU ......if it wasn't for the CD's closing track, the wistful "These Things We'll Never Do." Equal parts resignation and acceptance, pain and thoughtfulness, the track shows how vital it is to appreciate what you have, cuz it can be snatched out from under you at a moment's notice and, though it has to be done, it's tough to move on. This is from-the-heart songwriting at it's best! Also worth mentioning is the bare-bones honesty of the title track, the slightly sultry yet oh-so-jazzy "One More For Her (MAN, this guy's voice is smooth!)", the south of the boarder flavor of "Hey Chico" and the lovely "Angel In My Dreams." As I said earlier, this is probably the best album centered around loss since 1999's SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HEAVEN & EARTH, Cindy Bullens heartbreaking, yet redemptive, ode about the loss of her daughter. It's rare when artists are so honest, emotional and soul-baring. What more could we, as the listening public, ask for? Not a whole lot.

Just happened upon this disk. I was fooling around in Wal-Mart and the image on the disk caught my eye. Believe it or not, one of those listening stations was actually working, so I listened to the samples. I bought the disk, and have just finished the first listen. 14 songs and not a cull in the bunch. I've listened to a lot of music and made a lot of music over many years. This disk ranks among the absolulte best. Good songs, super music, and one of the best voices ever. Do yourself a favor, get this quick!!

Dale Watson's fiancee died asleep at the wheel in her car in September 2000. The loss sent Watson into a terrible depression, which resulted in a failed suicide attempt on the final day of the year. The next few months led him to write the 14 songs that make up this CD. I have all of Watson's previous albums. None of them, great as they are, can approach this CD. I have never heard such emotion in a set of songs. It is not maudlin, but serves as a tremendous tribute to his soul-mate (his words) from whose loss he will never fully get over. It's difficult to select stand-out songs, as they are all so painfully great, but These Things We'll Never Do and I See Your Face In Every Face I See are the best two songs Watson has ever recorded and the greatest hurting country songs since George Jones' He Stopped Loving Her Today. This album stands alongside Sinatra's In The Wee Small Hours and Only The Lonely. When Watson tours Europe in October, I won't be alone in wanting to shake his hand and give him my thanks and support.

Dale Watson has created an album that is both incredibly powerful emotionally and flawlessly delivered musically. This album is a rare and wonderful experience in a musical landscape that is all too often barren, unoriginal, and unfeeling. Dale's got a rich and powerful voice that he combines with some of the most talented musicians in country music to create a country album that is a fine achievement--best money I've ever spent.

I have to admit that upon first hearing this CD it brought tears to my eyes. As pointed out by the previous 2 reviewers, this is truly an amazing piece of work. It is flawless musically and lyrically. All of the songs are, obviously, about loss and its aftermath. I have not heard this much genuine emotion on a CD in many, many years.There are no weak songs on this disc, and thus it is impossible to pick favorites. All of the songs strike a cord deep within the soul. Loss is generic - none of us can avoid it.In this case it was the tragic death of a beloved fiancee. I don't know what else to add -- this CD gets, and deserves, the highest possible rating.Give a listen to any song and you will undoubtedly agree. Then do yourself a favor and order the CD, if not for yourself, then for someone else.This is a keeper that will, or should, live forever in the annals of music, let alone Country music.

A beautiful heartfelt album. It is difficult to describe. For those who have lost their love, this says it all. I love the songs.

This CD is one of the most difficult to evaluate I've heard this year, maybe in several years. I've listened to it at least 20 times and I consistently come away with mixed feelings. Certainly anyone who has experienced loss, or even the threat of loss, can relate to most of these songs. I almost lost my wife a year ago and the theme running through this CD tears my heart apart as I put us in the context of Dale's and Teresa Lynn's situation. However there is a dark shadow over these tunes as I consider that Dale and Teresa Lynn were involved in an illicit relationship, a shadow that diminishes the great potential this CD could have had for universal appeal to those who care about moral rightness. Furthermore Dale's sacrilege, particularly in the 3rd and 12th tracks, adds a deeper shadow as he both blames God for his loss and characterizes his lost love as an angel (nothing could be further from the truth given the nature of this relationship). Nonetheless when one overlooks Dale's moral flaws this CD is worthy of repeated listening.