Customer Reviews

Will Sing for Food -- The Songs of Dwight Yoakam

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

 

 

The iconic quality of Yoakam's originals occasionally obscures the cover versions offered here. But a comparison to a song's best-known rendering is the burden any cover must shoulder. Hearing a treasured groove filtered through the artistry of a new interpretation can elevate the song and multiply its meaning, or it can leave you begging to hear the original.

This collection offers many of the former, few of the latter, and wisely digs into Yoakam's albums for most of its repertoire. Rhonda Vincent's gospel-influenced "I Sang Dixie" adds a layer of dignity to a tale of a dying rebel, while David Ball strips down "This Time" and takes it to the honky-tonk for a sad two-step around the dance floor. Kim Richey and Mandy Barnett's superb vocals soar on the unusually structured meter of "Near You." Jim Matt, Tim O'Brien, Scott Joss, and Gillian Welch all make nice contributions.

While there's no radical reinterpretations, this tribute successfully illuminates the craft that lies behind Yoakam's magnetic personality and singing.

Fantastic Service! Will Shop Again!!!!!

THANKS!!!!!

I have been a fan of Dwight Yoakam's material for many years but have never thought any of the songs were simply great. Turns out that's because of his voice or arrangements falling short. There are some great covers on this set. Pete Droge's "One Thousand Miles" is one of the very best old songs that I've discovered this year. I know time has passed since this release but it has lost none of it's vitality while Yoakam most likely has. It's available for reasonable cash output and I recommend it to all who like alt. coutry or whatever you want to call it.

Indie label, Little Dog Records, is helping those less fortunate by the sales of Will Sing for Food - the Songs of Dwight Yoakam. The lyrics are pure Yoakam, and the musicians who donated their time and skills to the making of the album chose songs they felt an affinity for. Rhonda Vincent on I Sang Dixie; Jim Matt on Heart That You Own; Scott Joss on Johnson's Love; Bonnie Bramlett-Sheridan on What I Don't Know; Lonesome Strangers on Takes a Lot to Rock You; The Blazers on If There Was a Way - so much vocal talent and for such a worthy cause. I highly recommend this one.

You might not recognize all the artists on this album but you will be glad you were introduced to them once you hear this album. Jim Matt's "Heart That You Own" will make you want to call home and let everyone know you are thinking of them. He nails this song right on the head. Scott Joss' "Johnson's Love" will make you realize that there is still some real country singers out there and The Backsliders will get you on your feet dancing. Add this to your collection of Dwight albums as a keeper. Besides it's for a good cause and Dwight's band plays on alot of the track so you know it's gonna have the same "Dwight" quality we all have come to enjoy.

So this is for a really good cause and there are some great artists featured on this CD; however, no one should sing Dwight Yoakam songs except for Dwight Yoakam. There's none of that soul, that sadness and longing, or that famous nasal twang of his in these songs. The one exception might be Tim O'Brien covering A Thousand Miles From Nowhere. I predict that if you're a big Dwight fan as I am, you're not going to like this CD.

All I can say is, no one can sing a Dwight song, but Dwight. Enough said...

I was expecting to hear Dwight. I was disappointed in all the offerings except the one by Gillian Welch. He is the best singer of his songs. The CD liner gives no information on the supposed "Benefit for the Homeless". Let's just hope it happened, the homeless benefitted, and continue to benefit from sales of the CD.