Dale Watson – Unwanted
I have kept my Dale Watson music close to Waylon Jennings & Merle Haggard. Their musical “spirits” were aligned. Watson straddles many genres & applies his expertise to each with personality & musical skill. He’s rode the median of honky-tonk, outlaw country, western swing & rockabilly. The timbre of his voice has aggression & country finesse. He may border on retro Country & Western timbre of past singers, but his application has the confidence of taking the dirt path over a highway travelled by many – he leaves behind footprints instead of exhaust.
There are 12 twang-inspired swipes to Unwanted (Drops April 24/Forty Below Records/36:17) but not in the tradition of Randy Travis, since Watson has more of a Waylon Jennings vocal authority. His Country mainstream tunes are commercial but creative. He goes country nostalgic in “What the Hell Happened to the Cadillac,” — more a fun retro listen than a dismissive smirk.
The LP, produced by Dale (guitars), was recorded in Austin, TX & Memphis, TN & it’s filled with enjoyable moments (“You’ve Got My Heart,” a duet with Celine Lee) reminiscent of ‘60’s country. The upbeat “Don’t Let the Honky Tonks Go” is a reach to preserve the past where folks went for music, socializing & dancing. Not the internet. Nice piano run over a hopping drum beat & fiery guitar interplay. Watson’s voice is glue; it’s where the Country spirit was at one time.
Falling back richly into more of a Jim Reeves vocal warmth is “Just Yesterday,” & “If I Can,” Watson puts his signature on both ballads with sincerity & poignancy. The music on this set is not alt-country or Outlaw. There are no controversial asides, no anger or radical themes. The edginess is on a low flame & the focus is more on Watson’s sentiment, sophistication, laced with traditional benefits.
There’s no corniness in the 4-decade career of Dale Watson’s showcase. He preserves the country & western tradition the same way others continue to genuflect before the blues. They’re both classic American music forms that have been adopted & embraced by European artists & performers as far away as Australia & New Zealand. His artistry must resonate still, despite the injection of artificial sweeteners into today’s country-pop structures. Others drink ginger ale & smile; Watson is bourbon with a facial wow.
Highlights – “Willie Waylon & Whiskey,” “She Was My Baby,” “If You Really Love Me (Outlive Me),” “What the Hell Happened To the Cadillac,” “You’ve Got My Heart,” “Don’t Let the Honky Tonks Go,” “Just Yesterday,” “If I Can” & “Unwanted.”
Musicians – T. Jarrod Bonta, Danny Levin & Danny Walton (piano), Matt Hubbard (piano/B3), Danny Banks & Manny Pagan (drums), Carl Caspersen, Zack Sapunor & Phil Spencer (bass), Danny Pawlak (pedal steel) & Katie Shore (fiddle).
Image courtesy of Dale’s Facebook Gallery. CD @ Apple & https://fortybelowrecords.com/store-bu6al/p/unwanted-watson