Search - Dwight Yoakam :: Under the Covers

Dwight demonstrates his roots

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 03/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dwight has demonstrated on many albums that he is an excellent songwriter, but he has also recorded his share of covers down the years. This album is made up entirely of covers, but they are all extremely well done, suitably updated for today's listeners.Dwight mixes country classics like Wichita lineman (Glen Campbell), T for Texas (Jimmie Rodgers) and North to Alaska (Johnny Horton) with sixties pop classics like Things we said today (Beatles), The last time (Rolling stones), Tired of waiting for you (Kinks) and Here comes the night (Them).Baby don't go was an early Sonny and Cher hit, which Dwight sings as a duet with Sheryl Crow. Claudette was written in the fifties by Roy Orbison but is generally associated with the Everly brothers. Perhaps the most surprising selection is Train in vain, a cover of a song by punk rockers The Clash. Despite its origin, it sits comfortably among the other tracks here.If you enjoy Dwight's other music and you don't object to cover versions, you will surely enjoy this."

Remarkable demonstration of Dwight's artistic breadth!

gmack@io.com | Austin, Texas | 11/28/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dwight Yoakam's album Under the Covers is in effect a direct parallel with Anne Lennox's album Medussa. Of course, Dwight has a Country background, so that's the spin he puts on this collection of these favorites from the past. Dwight really goes "out of his box" by trying, and succeeding in doing his interpretations of these oldy-goldies.The song Tired Of Waiting For You, written by Ray Davies, actually comes off as a very hip Frank Sinatra-style big-band rendition, complete with a full horn section! Dwight also creates masterful, melodic versions of Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues, Wichita Lineman, Here Comes The Night, and Things We Said Today, which have no Country sounds in them. For the Country-sounding selections, Claudette by Roy Orbison, sounds like came right off of Dwight's Guitars, Cadillacs album! Playboy is rich with country fiddles and a great dance beat, as does The Last Time.The song Baby Don't Go, written by Sonny Bono, is a duet with Sheryl Crow is a masterful version of a sing-along classic. This is my favorite song on the entire album! Dwight appropriately wraps-up the project with the song North To Alaska, which is different from all the others.Even though it is different than all of the others on THIS album, it comes off sounding as if Dwight wrote the song, and incorporates a tremendous amount of things within a song that make it sound like many other Dwight songs! If you are looking for a "traditional" Dwight Yoakam country album, this is not the one to get. However, if you want to discover just how varied and wide Dwight's talents are, this one is a MUST. I play this one when friends come over to visit, and it amazes everyone who actually listens to it!"

Nice Set, Interesting

gemini_j | Canada | 05/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dwight Yoakam's 1997 album of cover songs, cleverly titled UNDER THE COVERS, is often harped on, but if you give it a few listens it will truly grow on you. Dwight takes each song and makes it his own, distinct, yet not taking away the original beauty or intent of the originals. COVERS features his take on songs by the likes of Roy Orbison, the Beatles, Ray Davies, Rolling Stones, The Clash, Johnny Horton and more. Quite the diverse list there. One definate highlight is the duet with Sheryl Crow on "Baby Don't Go". Other highlights include "Train in Vain", "Claudette", "Playboy", "Witchita Lineman", "Things We Said Today" and "North To Alaska". Overall an interesting collection, definately a grower, takes a few listens to sink in. Fans and admirers alike should be pleased."