Customer Reviews

The Very Best of Dwight Yoakam

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dwight Yoakam is the reason I'm not embarrased to say I like country music. When he broke onto the national scene with his debut album GUITARS, CADILLACS, ETC., ETC., he gave the country music establishment a much needed kick in the butt. This twenty track collection hits most of the highlights of Yoakam's nearly two decades as a performer. Starting with the Johnny Horton cover of "Honky Tonk Man" from his debut through two tracks from his 2003 release POPULATION: ME, Yoakam has had a major impact on country music. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative to Rhino's 2002 box set REPRISE PLEASE BABY, this is a winner from beginning to end. The only disappointment is that with a running time of just under 70 minutes, they could have added the only two top 10 singles missing from this set: "Always Late With Your Kisses (from 1987's HILLBILLY DELUXE) and "I Got You" (from 1988's BUENAS NOCHES FROM A LONELY ROOM). VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Recently the music industry has begun to release greatest hits CD's with, well, the greatest hits for a change. And usually filling up a CD. So I have been back filling my CD collection with CD's of artists and bands from the 80's and 90's that I have followed in the press, but not purchased their music. This CD is awesome. I cannot think of a time that I have purchased a CD that I have enjoyed every song. The musicianship on Dwight's recordings is Very, Very good as is the material. And Dwight himself is exceptional. I would recommend this CD to any Rock, Pop, or country fan that has not heard Dwight Yoakam. I cannot decide whether to get the box set, or just get each original Cd.

For sure a must have, and then get all the other great ones that preceded and came after. So many touching and beautiful and unique words that You cant help but fall in love with the song writing and expertise that goes into every detail.

Concert faves are abundant on this cd, I highly recommend.

This CD is a wonderful collection of Dwight Yoakam's biggest hits, spanning from 1986's "Honky Tonk Man" and "Guitars, Cadillacs" to 2003's "Late Great Golden State" and "Back of Your Hand." Dwight never fails to entertain. His unique twangy voice, poignant writing skills, and exceptional approach to country music makes him one of the best artists of any genre. Unfortunately, mainstream country music fails to give him the recognition he deserves. Regardless, this CD is a great way for anyone who's unfamilair with his music to get acquainted with it.

As with any compilation album, certain great songs had to be left out. I would've loved to see songs like "Nothing" (my personal Yoakam favorite), "The Heart That You Own", "Always Late (With Your Kisses)", and "Nothing's Changed Here" included. Nonetheless, this CD strongly represents Dwight's exceptional music: ever changing, but always true to it's roots.

Dwight Yoakam & his incredible band played Baltimore live last night for the first time in many, many years starting off in high gear, went to overdrive then turned on the after burners driving fans into a Fender Telcaster/Honkytonk Heaven frenzy. He played his entire greatest hits playlist off this CD & many more. He's so hip, so ultra cool, so alternative country & so unNashville. Plus he's young alive & still playing on planet earth. Highly recommend this CD plus Dwight's Used Records CD. Look for Dwight's brand new CD coming out probably in June 2005!

This jam-packed single disc moves from highlight to highlight of Dwight Yoakam's career thus far, with no weak spots. It's a great mix of tunes that instantly conjures up loud and beery honky tonks, sizzling neon lights, and lonesome dusty roads. Yoakam fuses the best of his Kentucky roots with some cookin' California swing that recalls a fast ride down Route 66 through the heartland of America. Dwight's voice is a potent blend of Roy Orbison, Michael Stipe, Buck Owens, and Raul Malo, and the accompanying instrumentation is appropriately twangy and sublime. While it would be impossible to collect *all* of Dwight's great songs in one place, this collection is about as good as it will ever get. Timeless classics such as "Guitars, Cadillacs," "Little Sister," "Little Ways," "Streets of Bakersfield," "Thousand Miles from Nowhere," and "Fast as You" sit snugly beside great takes of "Suspicious Minds," "I Want You to Want Me," and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." Some of these songs may break your heart, but all of them will make your toes tap, your knees wobble, and your hips shake.

Not that much into C&W despite living in Texas for over 30 years. To me, most of these acts all sound (and look) the same. Dwight Yoakam really is different. Good songwriter, unique style and takes his que from performers like Buck Owens who paved the way for him. Lots of good cuts on here: "a Thousand Miles from Nowhere", a great cover of Elvis' "Suspicious Minds" Well worth the money.

It's difficult to choose just 20 "best" Dwight songs, although I think this CD does an admirable job. It's a pretty broad overview of his career until 2003, and it is the CD that caused me to start digging Dwight. I had always preferred rock music to country, but that was until I heard Dwight. He covers some Elvis, Queen and Cheap Trick on here in his own inimitable style. Plus his own songs have a lot of rock aesthetic in them, such as "Guitars, Cadillacs" and "Fast As You." There are some true "country" gems as well, like "Honky Tonk Man" and "Streets of Bakersfield" (with Buck Owens, whom everybody loves!!). Beautiful ballads as well, e.g. "I Sang Dixie" and "You're The One." Overall, a really nice compilation and I heartily recommend it, especially as an introduction to Dwight's music. It does have my favorite Dwight song, "It Only Hurts When I Cry," which he co-wrote with the late, great Roger Miller. That said, it's still missing some other must-hear songs like "Miner's Prayer," "Fair to Midland" and "A Place to Cry."

Best CD in my collection. Terrific backing.
Congratulations on all those who made this recording possible.

Okay, so I know that Dwight is country, but I still think he Rocks! I'm not a big country fan nowadays, but I like the old country like Willie, Waylon, Patsy, Johnny & Merle. Dwight, even though he's not old country, has that mix of old country style and rockabilly that really gets things going! This is a must have album if you are a Dwight fan at all, and if you like old country with a kick, this is the album for you.