Search - Dwight Yoakam :: Long Way Home

Yoakam's Most Consistent Album - Not A Clunker In The Bunch

James E. Bagley | Sanatoga, PA USA | 09/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yoakam's eleventh album was his first of all new material in nearly three years. A Christmas set and a mediocre album of cover tunes were released in the meantime, while he
concentrated on acting in films like Sling Blade and The Newton Boys. Just when it seemed that Yoakam might never give music his full attention again, he delightfully surprised us with his
most consistent and personal effort to date.Yoakam composed all of the thirteen tracks on A Long Way Home without collaboration. The overwhelming theme of these acoustically-driven numbers is romance and its inevitably
negative outcome. This potentially depressing subject matter turns engaging, thanks to the variety of musical styles Yoakam incorporates, be it the shimmering "Things Change," the
honkytonkin' "I Wouldn't Put It Past Me" or the Bakersfield weeper "Yet To Succeed." Amidst the romantic chaos are homages to Johnny Cash ("The Curse"), Roy Orbison ("Listen") and
Elvis Presley ("Maybe You Like It, Maybe You Don't"). The one thematic detour is the mountain ode "Traveler's Lantern," featuring bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley on banjo and backup vocals. Its message of illuminating the path one
walks could also be applied to the music of Dwight Yoakam: when he is at his best, like on A Long Way Home, country music is left a better place."

An outstanding collection of original songs

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 08/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At the time Dwight recorded this album, people could be forgiven for thinking that Dwight had run out of ideas - after all, he'd recorded a covers album and a Christmas album, which was predominately covers. With this album, Dwight proved that he could still write and sing brilliant original songs. As ever, Dwight's traditionally based country music has a rock edge that appeals to a wider audience while still appealing to most traditional country fans. Only the most diehard traditionalists could fail to appreciate Dwight's music. The overall feel of this album is very upbeat.Dwight grabs your attention from the opening Same fool and holds it until the closing Maybe you like it maybe you don't, singing his way through a selection of songs that are incredibly varied yet still sit comfortably together. Dwight's influences are many and varied but fans of Buck Owens, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley will all hear echoes of their music in this album. Of course, Dwight's hillbilly vocal style combined with Pete Anderson's brilliant producing make his music unmistakeable for any other.Dwight makes a rare incursion into bluegrass territory on Traveller's lantern, on which Ralph Stanley plays banjo. As Dwight had already appeared as a guest on Ralph's Clinch mountain country album, this was no surprise. Judged on this effort, it would be great to hear Dwight do a whole bluegrass album.Dwight has recorded many outstanding albums (and one or two duds) but this is certainly one of the best albums Dwight has ever recorded and my may well be the best of the lot."

A Search through an Artist's Soul

K. Coleman | Phoenix, AZ United States | 06/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dwight Yoakam has been called a very private person when not performing; but when you listen to his music, particularly music as compelling and introspective as what is found in "A Long Way Home," it becomes painfully obvious that he bares his heart and soul, repeatedly, in every song he writes. The searing pain in his music and lyrics--and not the angst-ridden pseudo-soul of teen death ballads or beat-the-puppy country--reaches down one's throat to grip the heart and pull it, bleeding, to the air with a raw intensity that very few writers/performers achieve. Dwight Yoakam doesn't appeal to everyone because some people don't understand that--but if you open your ears, and listen with your whole soul, "you might find yourself somewhere." Doesn't matter if you consider him country, alternative country, rock, soul, or what--he is Dwight, and this is him."