Customer Reviews

That's Why I Sing This Way

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I first dropped a laser on this disc my wife said it reminded her of the jukebox at the Labor Center in Leadville when she was bartending there so many, many years ago and that comment just about nails it. This is great stuff from a man with some incredible pipes. There is not a bad cut on the album and I'd be hard put to even choose a favorite. Perhaps, Johns Wesley Riles' Kay, Merle's Make Up and Faded Blue Jeans, or Singletary's sizzling duet with Rhonda Vincent on Conway and Loretta's chestnut, After the Fire is Gone. I hope this cd does well for Mr. Singletary and he leaves the pap of modern Nashville behind.

And Daryle Singletary knows it. He wants others to know it, too. That's why he sings this way. Although the disc is nearly all cover songs, they are presented here fresh and new. Daryle knows his roots and he celebrates them. Thank God he escaped from Gnashville's meat grinder, and thank God for Audium Records, who continue to bring us these great country artists who can't get anywhere with corporate-owned radio (who insist we really don't want to hear this kind of music) and Gnashville labels who want to dig up redneck roots and wipe themselves clean of any "hick" image. Most of all, thank God for artists like Daryle Singletary, who still sing this way. If you're hungry for real country and honky-tonk, help yourself to this album. You will love every second.

This is a terrific album. Every track is a winner. I don't remember many of these songs when they were originally released, but Daryle's cover versions are superb. My favorite is "Kaye"-what a great song. And dare I say, the duet of "After the Fire is Gone" with Rhonda Vincent is every bit as good as the original Twitty-Lynn version. This review could go on forever, because every track is worthy of praise. This CD is more than worth the price.

Nothing new here, but then again, that's pretty much the point. Singletary pays tribute to his honky-tonk heroes -- Buck Owens, Conway Twitty, Joe Maphis and others -- covering songs like "A-11," "Kay," "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke," and "Long Black Veil..." Ole Possum, George Jones, gets his very own tribute song, with Max D. Barnes's "That's Why I Sing This Way," wherein the singer relates how old Jones albums were used as instruments of corporal punishment ("My mama used to whup me with a George Jones album/That's why I sings this way...") It's a good old, rollicking hard country number, much in keeping with this new traditionalist's other work. If you're looking for evidence that real-live honkytonk music is still alive, this album may cheer you quite a bit.

This CD reminds me a lot of Alan Jackson's CD "Under the influence." Most of these songs have been done better, but, taken as a whole, this is an enjoyable hard-country album. The material is great (although a few of these songs are too familiar i.e. "i never go around mirrors", "long black veil", "dim lights, thick smoke"). The less familiar material, however, is outstanding ("old violin", "make up and faded blue jeans", "kay"). The new song is pretty good, and Daryle is a very good singer (although he does tend to over-sing at times. Merle, Lefty, and George don't bend every note. Just the right ones!) It is really hard to cover songs done by the greatest singers of all-time (Merle, George, Lefty, along with Paycheck, Vern Gosden, and Buck Owens), so I give Singletary a lot of credit. I don't know of more than a couple of singers around in this generation (Randy Travis-is he still this generation?,Dale Watson) who could sing these songs, and with all of the pablum coming out of Nashville this is a treat. I hope this inspires some of the un-initiated to check out the originals (and other great covers -Keith Whitley's amazing take on "i never go around mirrors, which is the version Daryle is covering here, Vern Gosden's "dim lights, thick smoke"). Paycheck's "old violin" has just been issued on CD for the first time, but good luck finding Merle's terrific "make up and faded blue jeans (from "back to the barrooms"). I hope they put out "kay" as a single. This is a terrific old song that most people won't know. They don't write 'em like this anymore! Of course if they do, it won't get played!!

Any fan of classic country music must have this CD. It is like a walk down memory lane. Daryle Singletary's deep and rich voice is extremely versatile. He is able to imitate the singing style of George, Conway and Johnny Paycheck and others without sounding at all unnatural.

There's not a bad song on this CD. But I think the cover of Johnny Paycheck's "Old Violin" is particularly well done and moving. Johnny adds the spoken word recitation at the end of the song that brings more than just this CD to an end.

I heard a clip of the title track, and fell in love with it. Since I'm a Jones addict, this song was enough to make me think I had to have this album. Just to get the tribute song. Then, to my wonder and surprise...every song on the album was masterfully done. These aren't your standard old cover songs done as filler for an album. This isn't some big star who's too lazy to go in and find new stuff, so he throws together a cover album to keep the hungry fans satisfied...with no regard for the reverence that classic songs deserve. These are covers done with love. They're obviously a means of paying homage to his idols. These are perfectly executed versions of songs that will make you fall in love with country music. There's nothing new or slicked up here. This is just pure country at it's finest. Daryle has a very rich voice, and he knows how to use the instrument God gave him. There's not a sour note on the entire album. If forced at gunpoint to pick a favorite...I would have to say it's a toss-up between Makeup and Faded Bluejeans and Old Violin. Both are wonderfully done, but then so is every song on the album. How country radio continues to assault our ears with watered down pop music, yet refuses to give airtime to this kind of pure country talent is beyond me. The problem isn't that there are no great country talents out there anymore...because this album is proof to the contrary. The problem is that they aren't being heard. Buy this album, and when you fall in love with it after the first listen...tell everyone you know how great it and Daryle are....and call the radio station to request a song from it. This is a classic.

Daryle has a real winner on his hands this time. He brings his upbringing on real country music to his fans. There is no pop on this cd.He and his producer found the best country musicians in Nashville. Players like Brent Mason on guitar who does a great imitation of Roy Nichols on Merle's Make Up And Faded Blue Jeans, Paul Liem on drums, and Glenn Worf on bass and good steel guitar and fiddle on each song. Daryle follows in the footsteps of his fellow singer Alan Jackson who pretty much used the same musicians himself. Alan did great on his tribute to tradition on his album Under The Influence, so now Daryle can try his luck on this one. But todays's radio stations may not play any of these songs except maybe the title song which is original. Daryle has a great baritone voice that sounds like George, Merle, and really like Johnny Paycheck. So if you like good traditional country music, buy this album.

First off if you're a fan of the stuff played on radio today, just skip this album. You won't like it. This is REAL country music. Not glossed over pop that is passed off as country today. Daryle Singletary clearly grew up listening to the classics covered on this album. He sings each song as if it were his own. (The title track is an original, but fits in quite nicely alongside the others) At times you would swear it was Merle or George or in the case of "Old Violin" you have to listen real close to if it is Johnny Paycheck singing. When Johnny does sing the last line, goosebumps break out! If you love country music of the 60's and 70's then you MUST own this album. That era is my favorite for country and this album is absolutely essential. Singletary could have easily been a huge huge star if he was singing back then. Today, he is considered "too country". Do yourself a favor and pick this CD up. You won't regret it. You will realize though, that they just don't write 'em or sing 'em like this anymore!

Daryle Singletary does an excellent job of singing some of the best of the real country songs! Why on earth can't we find more of this type music instead of all the "new country" stuff?! There is obviously a real market for it! Great album.