Dwight Yoakam – “Close Up the Honky Tonks”

Matt C | September 28th, 2007 Email Share

artist-dwight.jpgDwight Yoakam is arguably the most brilliant and innovative cover artist in the genre’s history. However, when it comes to interpreting the songs of his hero Buck Owens, most of Dwight’s recordings and live performances are remarkably conservative. Thus, I had low expectations for Dwight’s upcoming album of Owens’ songs, fearing that it would be more similar to The Derailers’ uncreative Buck tribute than audacious Dwight projects like Under the Covers.

While lead single “Close Up the Honky Tonks” may not be representative of the rest of the material on the album, it dispels all of my fears about Dwight Sings Buck. Straight-laced Bakersfield covers don’t open with congo drums and other acoustic instrumentation, and an artist wanting only to channel Buck Owens wouldn’t sacrifice the upbeat arrangement of the original for mournful crooning. As usual, Dwight infuses his cover with presence and fresh interpretation as he sounds more like an artist cutting another writer’s original than one remaking a classic. The fact that the result is a rather boring radio release doesn’t particularly matter, as Dwight’s radio days are behind him. The important thing is that Dwight continue to produce compelling albums, and if “Close Up the Honky Tonks” is any indication, his run of quality is not about to end soon.

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Listen: Dwight Yoakam – “Close Up the Honky Tonks”

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  1. [...] the Fred Durst-directed video for “Close Up the Honky Tonks” doesn’t disappoint: watch the video at the end of Matt’s review of the single. Nothing says lonely like salted tomatoes for dinner. Tags: Johnny Cash, roundup, Brad Paisley, [...]

  1. Brady Vercher
    September 30, 2007 at 8:51 pm Permalink

    Dwight’s interpretation and vocal on this song is simply awesome. I hope his album is more of the same.

  2. Baron Lane
    October 2, 2007 at 9:15 pm Permalink

    Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst actually did a great job on this video.

  3. Lynn
    October 7, 2007 at 7:39 pm Permalink

    I downloaded his EP the other day off Itunes. I played it and felt like I was listening to an old friend. This is the type of music I’ve been missing from country radio (when I even bother to listen anymore). If he’s coming out with an album, I’ll purchase it.

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