Best Of The Hightone Years

Amazon.com
Dale Watson came of age a few decades too late. He looks and sings like a young Merle Haggard, and even his name seems like that of an artist from a vintage honky-tonk jukebox. On this anthology of mid-'90s recordings, Watson sounds like he was born to a tradition rather than trying to revive anything. He surveys the field of truckin', cheatin', and drinkin' songs, while paying tribute to his favorite Austin bar ("Honkiest Tonkiest Beer Joint") and Texas pit stop ("Truckstop in La Grange"). The catchiest song, "Caught," borrows a couplet from noted roadhouse tunesmith Sir Walter Scott, while Watson's stone-country baritone redeems even lesser material. Just listen to "You Lie," where he somehow stretches and twists the title's second word into 10 syllables. --Don McLeese

Tracks:

Rainin' Rainin' Rainin'
Brand New Whiskey
Nothin' But A Woman
Make It A Double
I'm A Texan
An Empty Glass
Nothin' Cheap About A Cheap Affair
Bedroom Battleground
I Get Drunk
Delia
Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
Come On In
Let's Go Jukin'

Customer Reviews:

Stewart's Later Years.......2004-01-28

After leaving RCA in 1982, Gary Stewart signed with Hightone in 1988 and in the next 5 years released 3 studio albums. They were on a par with his RCA work, although none reached the classic status of Out of Hand or even Your Place or Mine (both now available as two-fer on Koch Records). This release narrows those 3 CD's down to a handy 13 track compilation. There's some classic Stewart here-"An Empty Glass", "Let's Go Jukin'" and "Brand New Whiskey" are the standouts, but the rest is worthy of hitting the repeat button as well. Some say his Hightone years weren't on a par with the RCA ones, but this is a good disclaimer of that argument. If you are interested in Gary Stewart pick up Essential (RCA) and the two-fer mentioned above. Then proceed to Live At Billy Bob's (Smith Music), which was Stewart's last recorded work from 2003. If you like all those, then you'll like this. Gary Stewart was a Country artist for the ages, and his recorded work deserves a spin from new and old Country Music fans everywhere.

Average customer rating:

True Country Music
Great Guy, Great Tunes
This cd is REAL COUNTRY MUSIC
The Real Deal
A nice sample but

Best Of The Hightone Years
Dale Watson , and Dale Watson
Manufacturer: Hightone Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Whiskey or God
Live in London...England!
Dreamland
Essential Dale Watson
The Truckin' Sessions

ASIN: B00005UPFG
Release Date: 2002-01-15

Tracks:

Hey Driver
You Lie
Caught
Honkiest Tonkiest Beer Joint
Cheatin' Heart Attack
Blessed Or Damned
Nashville Rash
Truckin' Man
Tell 'Em I Ain't Here
Pity Party
I Hate These Songs
Cowboy Lloyd Cross
Truckstop In La Grange

Amazon.com

Dale Watson came of age a few decades too late. He looks and sings like a young Merle Haggard, and even his name seems like that of an artist from a vintage honky-tonk jukebox. On this anthology of mid-'90s recordings, Watson sounds like he was born to a tradition rather than trying to revive anything. He surveys the field of truckin', cheatin', and drinkin' songs, while paying tribute to his favorite Austin bar ("Honkiest Tonkiest Beer Joint") and Texas pit stop ("Truckstop in La Grange"). The catchiest song, "Caught," borrows a couplet from noted roadhouse tunesmith Sir Walter Scott, while Watson's stone-country baritone redeems even lesser material. Just listen to "You Lie," where he somehow stretches and twists the title's second word into 10 syllables. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews:

True Country Music.......2006-04-03

Dale Watson has become the new Dave Dudley, and it's about time someone tried to fill those large shoes. Dale has one of the most straight-forward, no BS, take-it-or-leave-it, voices in a decade, and God Bless him for sticking with it. He has become a favorite with Truckers, and his outstanding selection of songs will instantly bring back memories of Red Sovine, the aforementioned Dudley, early Merle Haggard, and yes, even a taste of Del Reeves. It's impossible not to enjoy his music, and more importantly, this album. There are a number of great songs here, but the stand-out tracks are: "Honkiest Tonkiest Beer Joint", "I Hate these Songs", and "Nashville Rash". If you want country music with 'nads, then give this one a listen.

Great Guy, Great Tunes.......2004-02-21

This is a great album with great songs from a great guy! His Hightone albums are full of real country songs...as are all his albums. I have had the pleasure of meeting Dale several times at his performances in San Antonio (Floores Country Store and Casbeers) and the surrounding areas. He is a great performer and this album is worth every dime. If you can find his newer live albums....the double Live in London and the US single disc release I recommend those as well.......and everything else he has released.....

This cd is REAL COUNTRY MUSIC.......2003-03-18

I have just received cd from UPS. I've played it twice in a row and I just can't believe that there is still someone out there recording REAL COUNTRY MUSIC. The whole cd is great but there's a couple that really stand out for me. Being a country guitarist myself and have played in Nashville Dale hit the nail on the head with "Nashville Rash". I especially like "Honkiest Tonkiest Beer Joint" & "Blessed Or Damned". This is a great cd and I plan on getting his other cd's. It takes a whole lot to impress me because of my music playing on the road, but Dale Watson impresses me with his writing talent and powerful delivery he has in his voice. Keep up the good work Dale cause you don't have the recognition the others have in Nashville, but you're miles ahead them in my book. This is a must cd for anyone who loves & appreciates Country Music in it's truest form. Last but not least, this cd also features some of todays finest musicians, such as Jerry Donahue, Redd Volkaert, Lloyd Maines, and Jimmy Day, to name a few. Fantastic CD Guitar Bob

The Real Deal.......2002-06-27

Tired of the drivel that Nashville's feeding you? You need Dale Watson. He sings country music the way it still should be -- COUNTRY. He doesn't dress it up or dumb it down. He's as harsh, gritty, real, and vicious; yet tender and gentle as country music was always meant to be. Dale sings with a voice that blasts out of his spare frame like a freight train.

Love country music? I mean REAL country music? Then buy all of Dale's albums. You won't be sorry.

A nice sample but.......2002-01-30

I feel this album is lacking 2 importent cuts "South Of Roundrock
Texas" (Dale's tribute to Austin including a video featuring musical buddies) and "A Real Country Song" which some fans considered their anthem in 1996.

Tracks:

Check..One, Two
What I Used To Do All Night
Roberta
You Are Nobody (A 'Rasslin' Interview)
Sleeper Hold On Satan
Teenie Weenie Meanie
The Rev. Vs. The Computer
Just Friends (Live Version)
A Pinhead Will Survive
Right Wing Roundup
Welcome To Comedy Night
Partyin' M*ther F*cker
Wwed
The Visitor
Baby Got Dot
Grandma's Behind The Wheels (Live Version)
Mennonite Surf Party (Live Version)
Wirtz Of Wisdom
Bonus Track 1

Customer Reviews:

Praise the Lord!.......2001-02-25

Praise the Lord and pass the Reverend Billy healing prayer cloth. For all of you who have been blessed by the Reverend's songs from the soul, "The Best of the Wirtz" offers the washed masses a "portable revival on compact disc" featuring some classic Billy standards ("Roberta","Mennonite Surf Party", and "Sleeper Hold On Satan") with soon to be classics like W.W.E.D.? (What Would Elvis Do?)and "Partyin' Mofo". The piano work is great, the selections well representative of The Reverend, and the concept done with the flock in mind (some of them even sent in material for the disc). For those unwashed, unblessed, and unfamiliar with the Reverend Billy C. Wirtz, this CD is a way to become exposed to the southern old-time gospel, blues, with a twist of Jerry Lee Lewis piano-dominant heavenly strains for the heavily strained. Owning this CD will be like "being in the presence", minus the beer aroma. Behave, be healed, and be on your way to ... to purchase The Best of the Wirtz. You will be blessed,and tickled to death (hopefully not literally in regards to the last part of that statement.)Do I hear an "Amen!"? Amen!

Music Album:

Music Album