Full Western Dress

Derailers

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 28, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B00001SICC
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #77,057 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Country > Classic Country > Bakersfield Sound

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Derailers' third studio record and finest yet, Full Western Dress pursues the group's Buck Owens fascination, once again offering amazingly accurate imitations of the Buckaroos' 1960s-era "train sound." This time out they even duet with their hero on "Play Me the Waltz of the Angels." The Derailers do dress up the retro act occasionally, though it speaks volumes that they do it by including sounds that Buck himself incorporated in later years. Several cuts here have a Merseybeat-meets-Byrds jangle, for example; a cover of Marty Robbins's "Knee Deep in the Blues" just flat cooks. Other modifications include a Dave Alvin-produced sound as pretty as it is muscular and some long-overdue Buck-worthy hooks. What still holds the Derailers back, though, is the same-old, same-old: music that's sonically stunning but emotionally flat. The genuinely lonely-sounding "Me, Myself and I" provides one welcome exception to this rule, but mainly Full Western Dress is just one more beautiful Nudie suit with nothing up its sleeve. --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars passing the buck, July 10, 2000

By A Customer

I was driving home last Sunday, listening to the "Prairie Home Companion" on the radio, broadcast from Austin. I'm not into most of what passes for country music these days, and I hadn't heard of the Derailers, but when I caught that unmistakable Bakersfield sound, being played so well, so tight, I made it a point to write down the name and pick up on it here at Amazon. It's disappointing to read David Cantwell's cheap shots on two different album reviews of this band's work. I guess he's upset that the Derailers aren't Buck Owens. Well, there's a difference betweeen being inspired by someone, and wanting to be an imitator. This is no imitation, and they're not trying to recreate old records. When I hear this album I only hear the torch being passed, and these boys are holding it high.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars! the best of 4 excellent albums, October 5, 1999

By A Customer

The Derailers' new CD, Full Western Dress, is such a beauty! Every song is a gem from the sublime "Play Me the Waltz of the Angels" to the raucous, rockin' blues of "Knee Deep in the Blues"--pure Derailers with ever-gorgeous harmonies, that shuffle beat and the indescribably wonderful Tele-twang. As always, the Derailers pay most accurate and respectful tributes to their musical forebearers. One can hear the Beatles, Elvis, Roy Orbison and Everly Brothers influences. And a wonderful surprise--a guest appearance by their music mentor and inspiration, the great Buck Owens himself. This album is must for the collection of any real lover of great American Country and Western music! Ela Simmons

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Derailers are the best thing since sliced bread!, March 28, 2000

By	Trisha A. Wagner "chickrock" (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I must say that besides being some of the nicest gents on the planet, these guys put on one helluva live show! If your toes aren't taping by the third note, then you must not have a pulse! Quick, someone call 911! Their previous releases have been a little more hardcore country, but with Full Western Dress, The Derailers show us that all of their influences aren't just from Music City, USA or Bakersfield, CA. We hear influences from the 1960's pop, (girl group) era in their cover of "Then She Kissed Me", a little Roy Orbison-esque sound on "Longing" and even a little bit of 1950's rockabilly influence on their version of "Knee Deep in the Blues". My personal favorite on this release would have to be the shuffle; "Hold On Fool Heart" penned by Tony Villanueva, Earl Wright and Robert Reynolds from The Mavericks.