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 o... more »verdose 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« less
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
"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!!"
An astonishing work
Dino | Scotland | 08/06/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dale Watson's fiancee died asleep at the wheel in her car in September 2000. The loss sent Watson into a terrible depression, which resulted in a failed suicide attempt on the final day of the year. The next few months led him to write the 14 songs that make up this CD. I have all of Watson's previous albums. None of them, great as they are, can approach this CD. I have never heard such emotion in a set of songs. It is not maudlin, but serves as a tremendous tribute to his soul-mate (his words) from whose loss he will never fully get over. It's difficult to select stand-out songs, as they are all so painfully great, but These Things We'll Never Do and I See Your Face In Every Face I See are the best two songs Watson has ever recorded and the greatest hurting country songs since George Jones' He Stopped Loving Her Today. This album stands alongside Sinatra's In The Wee Small Hours and Only The Lonely. When Watson tours Europe in October, I won't be alone in wanting to shake his hand and give him my thanks and support."
The best CD I've heard in I don't know how long
Randy L. Ray | Addison, TX United States | 07/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dale Watson has created an album that is both incredibly powerful emotionally and flawlessly delivered musically. This album is a rare and wonderful experience in a musical landscape that is all too often barren, unoriginal, and unfeeling. Dale's got a rich and powerful voice that he combines with some of the most talented musicians in country music to create a country album that is a fine achievement--best money I've ever spent."
Best pure country album released thus far in 2001...
Randy L. Ray | 08/16/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."