Customer Reviews

Live in London...England!

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

 

 

That's how Dale describes his own music. He further goes on to state, "The music in this show contains lyrics about honky tonks, truck driving men, drink', cheatin', and other topics considered to be too provocative for today's candy-... Country Music." He's right. This is REAL country music. This is the way country music is supposed to sound. Dale Watson isn't retro, he's not a throwback -- he's simply carrying on the fiery torch of pure country music as it was carried by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Merle Haggard. Dale is, of course, far too country for "country" radio; his first single release from this album, "Country My @$$," has been unilaterally turned down by them (wonder why?). But Dale is more than just a banner for the survival of real country music -- Dale is a powerhouse of talent, a thundering voice, a phenominal writer, and a heck of a great guitar player. His small frame packs country music skill so gigantic it absolutely dwarfs the "big names" doing their fireworks at arena shows, selling their teenybopper bubblegum with their pecks and abs. Dale doesn't need fireworks -- he entertains with TALENT. This album is a marvelous recording of two live nights in London (where, sadly, he's FAR more popular than he is here in the States). If you love real country music, buy this. You'll order all the rest of his albums before the final track finishes spinning.

I once had the good fortune to see Dale Watson play a show in Glasgow, Scotland, and the intensity and devotion of that UK crowd is ably reflected in this concert album, where the London fans hoot, holler and sing along to a brace of oldies and a slew of new originals. This is Watson in fine form, stripped down and honkytonk as all hell. He takes advantage of the concert album tradition to get a little dirty and cuss some, but mostly this is about Dale and his high-test ... band, who don't mess around for even a note or two. Authenticity is Watson's watchword: he opens the set up with his hick music anthem, "A Real Country Song," reprises his version of the Jimmie Rodgers classic "In The Jailhouse Now" (which was also a highlight of a recent Webb Pierce tribute album), and thumbs his nose at Nashville with "Country My Ass..." He might not be subtle, but he sure is good. You can't hear solid country playing like this anywhere else but on a Dale Watson album. Highly recommended!

I only recently discovered Dale Watson when he played locally. What a pleasure to know there is still someone out there who is performing real country music! The music coming from Nashville these days just isn't my cup of tea any more. I quit listening to "country" stations about ten years ago, but my love for the sound of traditional country never died. When I discovered Dale Watson, I came alive again. This is my favorite of all his albums....I bought one of everything he had at the show. Every fan of traditional country needs to hear three songs: "C-M-A," "Nashville Rash," and "Mr. Deejay Please Play a Real Country Song." The good stuff is not coming from Nashville any more, it's coming from the Lonestar State!

Recorded live in London in 2000, and originally released in Europe as a double CD, Audium's single disc is remastered from the original 24-track tapes, providing a half-dozen titles not present on the earlier issue. Particularly noticeable are the addition of "A Real Country Song" and "Nashville Rash," adding extra gravitas to the show's critique of mainstream country music.

Having been recorded two years ago, these tracks presents a snapshot of Watson before the death of his finacèe, his subsequent depression, and the musical exposition of his "Every Song I Write For You" CD. Recent interviews find Watson letting go of the stridency and anger that dominated songs like "Country My Ass" (as well as some of the stage patter), suggesting that explicit railing at the music industry may not be Watson's future.

The nineteen selections (nearly 70 minutes) include new titles, highlights from Watson's catalog, and cornerstone covers of Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Wynn Stewart and Jimmie Rodgers (by way of Webb Pierce). Welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd, Watson and the band are in fine form as they move from Ray Price's jazzy steel guitar showcase, "Bright Lights and Blonde Haired Women" to the loping tempo of "Can't Be Satisfied" and two-step rhythms of "Turn Off the Jukebox" and "Break Your Own Heart."

The barbwire criticisms of contemporary country are certainly entertaining, and the homages to influences are heartfelt, but it's Watson's own twangy, Texas-bred songs that drive his point all the way home.

this is my favorite cd of dales.this is not for tim mcgraw or kenny chessney fans.this is too country for those people.all of dales cds are great.my second favorite is "i hate these songs".i hope this review can help more people discover how awsome dale is.

Several years ago George Jones released a song "Who's gonna fill their shoes?" and asked "Who's gonna fill their shoes? Who's gonna stand that tall? Who's gonna sing the Opry? or the Wabash Cannonball? Who's gonna give their heart and soul to get to me and you? Sometimes I wonder.... Who's gonna fill their shoes?" Dale Watson is that guy! Too bad only a few of us know it!!! This album is one undiscovered classic country hit after another and most of them are his originals. He does a few covers but they are extremely well chosen and well done! You won't be disappointed if you love country & WESTERN music.

Dale Watson fans waiting for new material should be fairly pleased with this release - the the majority of the album is new work, some self penned & some classic covers, along with previously recorded songs included here and there. .
Highlights from the new material, for me are: "Can't Be Satisfied", "Ain't That Livin'", "In The Jailhouse", "Mama's Hungry Eyes", "Bright Lights", "Heart Of Stone", "Turn Off The Jukebox", "Break Your Own Heart" & "No Fussin', No Cussin'".
The only real clunker is "Country My Ass" - Dale IS preachin' to the choir here, but the sermon is getting a bit long - he's already made his point about the sad state of today's mainstream country on his earlier songs, "Real Country Song" & "Nashville Rash". He should have left it at that and saved the bitchin' for the liner notes.
This album isn't nearly as good as his first four - but that said, "Dale Watson Live in London" is still well worth a listen.