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Review: Dwight Yoakam's dwightyoakamacoustic.net Justguitar@dogbone
by Jordan Hoffman

published 7/17/00

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Jordan Hoffman is LeisureSuit.net's Queens-based Senior Editor.



MOST RECENT YAK ABOUT THIS ARTICLE:

Subj: dwight yoakam
May-2009-I can hardly believe I only found out about Dwight a year ago. His voice is beyond words-so haunting, sensual, feeling, melodious,sexy and his movements to his music is another sexy song in itself Please come to Toronto.

-- yvonne28
May 11, 2009 at 11:33PM

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Don't let the ridiculous title scare you off. This new collection from country music's best loved traditionalist is hardly cyberpunk. Dwight Yoakam, long celebrated for his ability to shrug off today's Nashville trends yet still find a large popular audience, had stripped any slight remnants of gloss from the great songs of his career. The result, the unfortunately named dwightyoakamacoustic.net Justguitar@Dogbone (more on this later), is less of a greatest hits package and more like hanging around Dwight's kitchen table and listening to him sing for an hour. Of course, the kitchen has good reverb.

Yoakam's crisp, precise voice is captured in a state of perfection on these twenty-five tracks. A solo acoustic album lives or dies by the emotion in the voice. Dwight does not let down, nor does he overdo it. The playful despair in "Readin' Rightin Rt. 23," for example, is a relaxed, almost muted lament.

"Buenas Nochas from a Lonely Room" is slowed down, focusing on the guitar, the space between the lines. This is not to imply that these songs are delivered in a whisper. Dwight is still belting out the drawl here, but somehow doing it quietly. It's quite extraordinary and unique.

The upbeat tunes, like "Please, Please Baby," are still told from a position of remorse, as all good country should. Maybe that's Dwight's source for legitimacy. Why do Tim McGraw and the Dixie Chicks make my skin crawl? I've gone on record, somewhere in these electric pages, recognizing Garth Brooks to have a great voice. But why do I not own a single one of his records? How does one nail down the traditionalist genre?

"It Won't Hurt," the tale of a heartbroken drunk daring himself to go home, is a gripping song, staggeringly effective with minimal guitar and Dwight's powerhouse vocals. I dare you to listen to it at 3 AM after a couple o' belts without getting mooney.

"This Drinkin' Will Kill Me," a peppy yet melancholy tune equates dependence on alcohol to the dependence on relationships. Dwight knows not which will destroy him first. What I find so remarkable about the recording presented here is the flippant defeatism. The guitar playing is zippy, the vocals don't twang out of control to find the pathos. Dwight bends, but does not break. He isn't showy. Is this the lo-fi aesthetic applied to country?

"A Thousand Miles From Nowhere," perhaps his perfect song, is recorded with a hollow echo. (Perhaps he moved from the kitchen to the bathroom.) It is an eerie reminder of the cold, late night Elvis Presley version of "Blue Moon." These two tales of isolation, recorded over forty years apart, expose a crucial truth that goes beyond branding managers that live in Nashville and New York. This is something far more important.

Which brings me to the title of this endeavor. The first album I was aware to use internet language in its title was Jethro Tull's "J-Tull.com." Coming from Ian Anderson and the boys, historic goofballs, I respect it as a gag, though they did grab the URL for marketing purposes. Marillion recently released Marillion.com. Now this.

I don't get the joke if there is one, and I think the title is stupid and short-sighted. I haven't visited the URLs, which I'm sure exists. As a dot netter myself, I can't begrudge the lack of a dot com, but I can question it.

More importantly, though, is the last track on the album, "Guitars, Cadillacs," recorded a capella. A touching closer, and just perhaps a song of great social and political import.


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Name: yvonne28
Subject: dwight yoakam
-- May 11, 2009 at 11:33PM
May-2009-I can hardly believe I only found out about Dwight a year ago. His voice is beyond words-so haunting, sensual, feeling, melodious,sexy and his movements to his music is another sexy song in itself Please come to Toronto.

Name: yvonne28
Subject: dwight yoakam
-- May 11, 2009 at 11:31PM
May-2009-I can hardly believe I only found out about Dwight a year ago. His voice is beyond words-so haunting, sensual, feeling, melodious,sexy and his movements to his music is another song in itself. Please come to Toronto.

Name: Sharon
Subject: Love Dwight!
-- Oct 10, 2008 at 12:17AM
I have loved Dwight since his first videos "Always Late" and "Honky Tonk Man". He can sing like no one else in the world! I would love to meet him and get to know what he is really like. I will always love his work!

Name: Georgeann
Subject: Blame The Vain
-- Dec 1, 2005 at 3:38PM
Doesn't get any better than this! Neither does his show this year!

Name: sunnyeve
Subject: Dwight's new album!
-- Jun 13, 2005 at 8:58PM
Heyy fellow Dwight fans. Get excited because I'm about to share an exclusive offer with you! Dwight's entire CD is available to his fans for FREE prior to the album's public release in stores. Go to http://music.channel .aol.com/songs/new_r eleases_full_cds for free listening! I hope you guys enjoy his new album!!! :)

Name: skot
Subject: music tree
-- Apr 22, 2005 at 10:30AM

this one time i threw dwight's cd up in a tree and i couldn't get it down. i had to pay a pigeon to knock it down for me.

Name: Mike
Subject: tab for Readin', Rightin', Rt 23
-- Apr 9, 2004 at 8:48PM
Hey Shirley. Found it here: http://country.total tabs.com/songs.asp?i d=7009

Name: Shirley
Subject: chords/ lyrics
-- Feb 19, 2004 at 6:38PM
Does anyone have the lyrics & chords for "Readin', Rightin', Rt. 23"? I'm trying to learn some of the songs off his "acoustic.net&q uot; CD. Is there a site that has it? I've looked all over the net.

Name: bluevalentine
Subject: re. Lali
-- Sep 15, 2003 at 12:57PM
TO: Lali, 09/16/03

I went through a bad-bad breakup(reminiscent of buenas noches from a lonely room, I all but lost it.), just prior to this cd release...and it's the only thing that got me though. So, I know how you feel dear.
good luck and GOD BLESS.

Name: Lali
Subject: Dwights pure sound
-- Aug 24, 2003 at 4:25PM
Im going thru a divorce and Dwights music has always made me feel like someone understood what I was going thru. But this cd with just him and the guitar... I feel like Dwight has been here with me from the time this nightmare started and is narrating my story. Its a spiritual thing. Isnt that what music is suppose to do? You got it right this time Dwight.

Name: TJD
Subject: Dwight's Acoustic
-- Jul 17, 2003 at 12:25PM
I love it. I'm a general contractor by day. I escape the real world playing an acoustic guitar. Can't sing a note but I can play along with most of these tracks. Thanks Dwight.

Name: KY Red Neck Woman
Subject: Dwight
-- May 17, 2003 at 2:36PM
I'm going to see Dwight's acoustic show tonight. I can hardly contain myself!!!

Name: Derek
Subject: Review: Dwight Yoakam's dwightyoakamacoustic.net Justguitar@dogbone
-- Apr 27, 2003 at 4:56PM
I purchased this cd and I really like it. Honestly I really don't listen to much country or western music but my mom turned me on to Dwight and by chance I pick up this cd. My city slicker friends think I've gone hick. Whatever, I thinkthis is an excellent collection and thanks to whom ever help make it.

Name: dthomas
Subject: acoustic cd
-- Mar 9, 2003 at 5:46PM
I think this is a great cd.the selection of songs is good.I recently bought a Martin D-15 acoustic guitar,and if anyone could tell me where I can get the sheet music for this entire collection I would be extremely happy.

Name: Yolanda
Subject: Acoustic CD
-- Feb 9, 2003 at 6:27PM
Enjoyed the article, and love the ACOUSTIC even more*

Keep up the great site*

Name: Bob
Subject: Response to Kim
-- Jan 26, 2003 at 9:26PM
Kim, have you tried to look on the CD Under the covers. This is only a suggestion.

Bob

Name: Bob
Subject: Response to Stan
-- Jan 26, 2003 at 9:22PM
No Idea on Tabs but here are the chord changes to This drinking will kill me:G/C/G/C/G/Em/G/C/ G/D/G throughout the song. Johnson's Love is simply G/C/D/G throughout the song. Hope this helps you, Stan.

Bob

Name: pete
Subject: dwight yoakam
-- Jun 24, 2002 at 12:16AM
dwight yoakm has a book out dwight yoakam a long way home (twelve years of words). It has about 65 of his songs. my favorite buenas noches from a lonely room she wore red dresses.

Name: Harry
Subject: acoustic.net
-- Jun 21, 2002 at 1:15PM
Another tremendous release from Dwight Yoakam, if anybody knows where to get the guitar tabs for this album, please share. Viva traditional, good country music. Shania Twain, Toby Keith and clones be on notice, your time is short, the intelligent discrement country fan will prevail.

Name: James
Subject: dwight yoakam
-- Mar 19, 2002 at 4:59PM
me and my wife just love dwight yoakam we bought
this cd and many others my faveorit song is little sister and it wont hurt. i hope that dwight keeps on singing

Name: Rick
Subject: dwightyoakamacoustic .net
-- Feb 27, 2002 at 3:05PM
Where can I get the lyrics to the CD dwightyoakamacoustic .net

Name: Stan
Subject: Yoakam acoustic
-- Jul 28, 2001 at 3:38PM
Does anyone know where to find the tabulature for Dwight's acoustic c.d.?

Name: Kim
Subject: Help!!
-- Jun 12, 2001 at 1:46AM
Where can I find what CD the song Carmelita is on?? Saw it on Napster ....That's the only place I can find it?!!Maybe the Soundtrack for South of Heaven, West of Hell???

Name: Jake
Subject: Dwight
-- May 25, 2001 at 3:54PM
Is he still with Bridget Fonda? Any plans for marriage? (I hope not!) Anyone?

Name: hotlips
Subject: DWIGHT
-- May 24, 2001 at 4:01PM
I HAVE BEEN A DWIGHT LOVER SINCE NINETY FOUR.THE FIRST TIME I HEARD FAST AS YOU I FELL IN LOVE WITH AND I HAVE LOVED HIM EVER SINCE.

Name: Righthipster
Subject: Dwight
-- Mar 28, 2001 at 6:00PM
I first heard Dwight's
1000 miles from no-where
when I was going through
my divorce. I've been a
fan ever since.

Name: Kami Brown
Subject: Tomorrow's Sounds
-- Feb 16, 2001 at 9:30AM
Very Cool! As always, Dwight leaves me wondering where he gets his ideas for songs. His heart can't get broken too awful much given as busy as he is writing songs, playing guitar and making movies! You simply amaze me, Dwight! Some day I'd love to meet that man who makes the music! I especially like your version of I want you to want me by Cheap Trick! I do believe Rick Neilson's an old Michigander like myself....great music from great places! Keep it up...and keep us guessing.....

Name: huggabear
Subject: dwight yoakam
-- Feb 15, 2001 at 5:01PM
02/16/01
this cd was really worth the buy. we've been listening to dwight since he first came out and haven't tired of him at all. in fact we look forward to ALL his music and songs.

Name: DUDE
Subject: TABULATURE
-- Dec 28, 2000 at 1:59PM
ARE THERE PLANS TO RELEASE THE SONGBOOK FOR THE DWIGHT ACOUSTIC.NET CD?

Name: MrBigPants
Subject: Dwight
-- Dec 23, 2000 at 1:16PM
I just heard he made a movie South of Heaven west of Hell !! Where When ???

Name: Mike
Subject: on Dwight
-- Dec 13, 2000 at 9:48PM
I've been a huge fan of Dwights since the first time i heard him. Though he sometimes blurs the line between "Dobro" country music and rock(i.e. Wild Ride) He is the without a doubt, the finest traditional country western/honky tonk artist to arise in the last 20 years, true to his bluegrass country roots. Good Lord, what happened to CW Music. I have made it my mission to learn every run on this acoustic album, the country walks and single strings runs are pretty damn impressive. So, was it Dwight or Pete??? I have to know.

thanks.

Name: GuitarPT
Subject: yoakamacoustic.net
-- Aug 2, 2000 at 4:54PM
Thanks for the Ray Bonneville recommendation and interview.I will track the CD down and let you know what I think . Later!

Name: Jordan Hoffman Responds
Subject: Re: DwightYoakamacoustic .net
-- Aug 1, 2000 at 12:38AM
Hey PT--

Solo acoustic?

I'm still plugging my Canadian friend Ray Bonneville.

Read my interview here:

http:// www.LeisureSuit.net/Webzine/ articles/ray_bonneville.shtml

(you'll need to type in the URL yourself. We can put a man on the moon, but cant put a URL in a Yak without causing a mess. . . )

Enjoy

Name: GuitarPT
Subject: DwightYoakamacoustic .net
-- Jul 31, 2000 at 10:39PM
I, too enjoyed this CD very much. I'm not a true country fan but bought the CD as a learning tool to hear how Dwight (or Pete Anderson) played these tunes solo, as I am an aspiring solo guitarist. The guitar playing is not flashy but effective and gives hope to one like myself. I found the songs quite catchy and can't get a few out of my head...namely "Little Sister", "1000 miles from nowhere" and "It only hurts me when I Cry". I recommend this CD to anyone who likes acoustic music. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who could recommend other solo guitar/vocal recordings which they have enjoyed.


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