Every Song I Write Is for You

Amazon.com's Best of 2001
Long inspired by country legends who endured tragedy and heartache, Dale Watson received a double dose of both in 2000. Devastated after his fiancée died in a car crash in September, Watson attempted suicide by drug overdose after Christmas and wound up committing himself to a mental health institution. After his release, he wrote songs to confront his pain, resulting in Every Song I Write Is for You, a moving, inspiring journey through past joys, present pain, and, ultimately, healing. Emotions of bereavement run through every number: sorrow ("I Can't Let You Go"), anger ("Our First Times and Our Last Times"), sacrifice ("I'd Deal with the Devil"), and acceptance ("I See Your Face in Every Face I See" and "These Things We'll Never Do"). Misty, atmospheric arrangements, occasional jazzy rhythms, and (synthesized) strings in the Billy Sherrill tradition frame each number to perfection. As mainstream Nashville leans on cotton-candy kid stuff to maintain eroding audiences, Watson has not only regained his personal bearings, he's created a classic of staggering proportion, a powerful reminder of what this music is really about. --Rich Kienzle

Every Song I Write Is for You,Dale Watson,Audium Entertainment,Alternative Country,Americana,Country,Country & Western,Pop

Average customer rating:

Hard to write, looking through tears!

A Classic Mix of Heartache and Strength

This album says it all.

Dale bares his soul and sells it

Best pure country album released thus far in 2001...

Every Song I Write Is for You
Dale Watson
Manufacturer: Audium Entertainment
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music
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Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00005LN4B
Release Date: 2001-07-24

Tracks:

Every Song I Write Is For You
You're The Best Part Of Me
I'd Deal With The Devil
One More For Her
I See Your Face In Every Face I See
If I Knew Then What I Know Now
Your Love I'm Gonna Miss
Money Can't Buy Her Love
I See My Future
Our First Times And Our Last Times
Hey Chico
Angel In My Dreams
I Can't Let You Go
These Things We'll Never Do

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Long inspired by country legends who endured tragedy and heartache, Dale Watson received a double dose of both in 2000. Devastated after his fiancée died in a car crash in September, Watson attempted suicide by drug overdose after Christmas and wound up committing himself to a mental health institution. After his release, he wrote songs to confront his pain, resulting in Every Song I Write Is for You, a moving, inspiring journey through past joys, present pain, and, ultimately, healing. Emotions of bereavement run through every number: sorrow ("I Can't Let You Go"), anger ("Our First Times and Our Last Times"), sacrifice ("I'd Deal with the Devil"), and acceptance ("I See Your Face in Every Face I See" and "These Things We'll Never Do"). Misty, atmospheric arrangements, occasional jazzy rhythms, and (synthesized) strings in the Billy Sherrill tradition frame each number to perfection. As mainstream Nashville leans on cotton-candy kid stuff to maintain eroding audiences, Watson has not only regained his personal bearings, he's created a classic of staggering proportion, a powerful reminder of what this music is really about. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews:

Hard to write, looking through tears!.......2001-10-13

Just happened upon this disk. I was fooling around in Wal-Mart and the image on the disk caught my eye. Believe it or not, one of those listening stations was actually working, so I listened to the samples. I bought the disk, and have just finished the first listen. 14 songs and not a cull in the bunch. I've listened to a lot of music and made a lot of music over many years. This disk ranks among the absolulte best. Good songs, super music, and one of the best voices ever. Do yourself a favor, get this quick!!

A Classic Mix of Heartache and Strength.......2001-09-19

I really didn't know what to expect when I picked up EVERY SONG I WRITE IS FOR YOU, my first purchase from Dale Watson's catalog; I'd heard good things about his live show, but that was it. But with it being a slow summer for decent new music, I thought "What the heck?" With his pompadour and tattoos, the wide leather biker watchbands and tight black tee shirts, I was expecting someone along the rockabilly lines of Brian Setzer or Eric Heatherly or, at the very least, someone with the rockabilly leanings of Billy Burnette or Chris Isaak. Imagine my surprise when, upon my first listen, I realized Watson is much closer to Merle Haggard, George Jones and, yes, even George Strait, with a touch of Asleep At The Wheel tossed in. But there is even more to this CD than it's many genre-crossing mysteries - EVERY SONG.... is quite possibly the most nakedly honest CD about the loss of a loved one since Cindy Bullens' brilliant SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HEAVEN & EARTH two years ago. And therein lies the CD's key strength.....very few men are willing to open up the way Watson does, and it's this equal blend of virility and vulnerability that makes this CD such a winner. The CD has a number of stand-out tracks, the first of which is "You're The Best Part of Me." With it's silky swing vibe and soulful steel guitar, this is the word "romantic" at it's best. Just listen to that piano! Hard to believe such a great toe-tapper could be wrapped around such searing lyrics. Next up is "I'd Deal With The Devil." If there was ever any doubt as to Watson's songwriting ability, this one track would clear it all up. "Raw" is the only way to describe it....the emotion, the anger, the desperation. Mix that with an instrumental arrangement that always enhances but never overpowers and you have a true country classic. "Your Love I'm Gonna Miss" is also a classic, but for an entirely different reason. With it's gentle gate and narrative vocal, the listener almost feels like a fly on the wall, observing just what a powerfully entwined relationship these lovers had. I also love "Money Can't Buy Her Love", simply because of it's wise philosophy: True love is given, never bought (O.K., the classic honky tonk attitude doesn't hurt either!). Up next is the poignant "I See My Future." This understated ballad is both beautiful and chilling in it's simplicity. It also shows that one person is not that different from the next, that our paths can all be the same.....if you choose to let them be, for better or for worse. "I See My Future" would be a great candidate for the centerpiece tune on EVERY SONG I WRITE IS FOR YOU ......if it wasn't for the CD's closing track, the wistful "These Things We'll Never Do." Equal parts resignation and acceptance, pain and thoughtfulness, the track shows how vital it is to appreciate what you have, cuz it can be snatched out from under you at a moment's notice and, though it has to be done, it's tough to move on. This is from-the-heart songwriting at it's best! Also worth mentioning is the bare-bones honesty of the title track, the slightly sultry yet oh-so-jazzy "One More For Her (MAN, this guy's voice is smooth!)", the south of the boarder flavor of "Hey Chico" and the lovely "Angel In My Dreams." As I said earlier, this is probably the best album centered around loss since 1999's SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HEAVEN & EARTH, Cindy Bullens heartbreaking, yet redemptive, ode about the loss of her daughter. It's rare when artists are so honest, emotional and soul-baring. What more could we, as the listening public, ask for? Not a whole lot.

This album says it all........2001-09-13

A beautiful heartfelt album. It is difficult to describe. For those who have lost their love, this says it all. I love the songs.

Dale bares his soul and sells it.......2001-08-27

This CD is one of the most difficult to evaluate I've heard this year, maybe in several years. I've listened to it at least 20 times and I consistently come away with mixed feelings. Certainly anyone who has experienced loss, or even the threat of loss, can relate to most of these songs. I almost lost my wife a year ago and the theme running through this CD tears my heart apart as I put us in the context of Dale's and Teresa Lynn's situation. However there is a dark shadow over these tunes as I consider that Dale and Teresa Lynn were involved in an illicit relationship, a shadow that diminishes the great potential this CD could have had for universal appeal to those who care about moral rightness. Furthermore Dale's sacrilege, particularly in the 3rd and 12th tracks, adds a deeper shadow as he both blames God for his loss and characterizes his lost love as an angel (nothing could be further from the truth given the nature of this relationship). Nonetheless when one overlooks Dale's moral flaws this CD is worthy of repeated listening.

Best pure country album released thus far in 2001..........2001-08-16

I have to admit that upon first hearing this CD it brought tears to my eyes. As pointed out by the previous 2 reviewers, this is truly an amazing piece of work. It is flawless musically and lyrically. All of the songs are, obviously, about loss and its aftermath. I have not heard this much genuine emotion on a CD in many, many years.There are no weak songs on this disc, and thus it is impossible to pick favorites. All of the songs strike a cord deep within the soul. Loss is generic - none of us can avoid it.In this case it was the tragic death of a beloved fiancee. I don't know what else to add -- this CD gets, and deserves, the highest possible rating.Give a listen to any song and you will undoubtedly agree. Then do yourself a favor and order the CD, if not for yourself, then for someone else.This is a keeper that will, or should, live forever in the annals of music, let alone Country music.

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