Welcome to another selection from Proper’s periodic trawls through the warehouse in search of forgotten classics.
The only criteria for inclusion is that the album concerned sold less than one copy in the last year and consequently rests quietly in a forgotten corner – on the Dusty Shelf. Could you provide a home and receive unconditional love and companionship in return? Ask us nicely and we’ll send you one……
Dale Watson “Blessed or Damned” (Hightone)
Let’s return to those lazy, hazy, crazy days of May 1996. Football was a month away from “coming home” and scowling scallies Oasis had replaced Satan’s spawn (aka Take That) at number one in the charts. Fortunately for the discerning UK listener there was some good news, in the form of a new album from Hightone honky-tonker, Dale Watson.
Featuring fourteen self-penned slabs of authentic blue collar country, tipping his Cowboy Lloyd Cross to Merle Haggard and Buck Owens, “Blessed” was in essence part two of the previous year’s “Cheatin’ Heart Attack” – Watson’s first fully-realised studio album.
Many similar themes re-emerged second time round, not least of which was an evident dissatisfaction with current country trends, manifesting itself this time round in “A Real Country Song” – a cousin of his previous “Nashville Rash.” Several more songs about Watson’s perennial favourite subject matter, trucking also appeared, and would ultimately lead to two volumes of songs about highway life.
However, the standout comes in the shape of “That’s What I Like About Texas”, when Dale shares microphone duties with Ray Price and Willie Nelson alumni, Johnny Bush. Alabama-born, Austin-inhabiting Watson unashamedly pays tribute to his adopted State, be it Bob Wills-referencing “twin fiddles, steel guitars” or those cold cabinet staples, “Shiner”, “Pearl” and “Lone Star”.
The up-tempo tunes rattle along thanks to the efforts of Texas guitar slinger, David LeRoy Biller. And had Jools Holland lassoed Watson in London for “Later”, he’d have had a field day interpreting some fine boogie woogie from Asleep at the Wheel pianist Floyd Domino.
Reviewing “Blessed” upon its release, “No Depression” called it “the real deal.” Almost a decade and a half later, it remains the perfect antidote to the airbrushed CMT generation. Like all good records, it encourages further investigation – not just into the rest of Watson’s back catalogue but also the heritage that he taps into and brings back to life. Conway Twitty lives!
Track Listing:
Truckin’ Man
Honkiest Tonkiest Beer Joint
Blessed Or Damned
Cowboy Lloyd Cross
A Real Country Song
Poor Baby
It’s Over Again
Fly Away
It’s All Behind Us Now
That’s What I Like About Texas
Everyone Knew But Me
Sweet Jessie Brown
Truckstop In La Grange
Shortcut To The Streets of Gold
I don’t know this guy’s music, so maybe it’s time to get acquainted- Purlease!
I have other Dale Watson CDs, stashed, on my dusty shelves, so if you sent me a copy I would have a DUST OFF DALE WATSON DAY and enjoy some fine music I have not listened to in awhile. It could be the start of a DUST OFF DAY every week to rediscover great music I have not heard for some time.
Dale Watson’s still gigging, still writing great songs and still got that great baritone. Thanks for putting this up
Could you please send me a copy?
That’s novel, having your music tattooed on your arm, but I think I’ll stick to sheet music and a music stand if you don’t mind. That aside, I haven’t heard of Dale Watson but I think I would like to and would give it a few plays on my late night show.
Dale’s CD can park in my Lincolnshire truckstop. I do remember a publicity blitz on this guy some years ago & Willie Nelson saying some good things about him. Enjoy all that Texan truckin’ stuff.
wouldn’t mind giving this a try
I’m surprised poor old Dale has been ignored for so long – he was a regular favourite on the late lamented Andy Kershaw’s radio shows during the 90s, and also visited the great Jumpin’ & Hot Club in Newcastle once or twice (at least I think so, or was he scheduled and then didn’t make it? Time takes its toll on the memory, you know!)
Anyway, please make an old man happy and send me a copy!
I’ll toast you with a cold Lone Star beer!
This would not remain dusty in my hands!
I saw Dale Watson perform shortly after this album emerged, and whilst not entirely sold on his critique of the genre of country music, I loved some of the blue-collar grttiness of some of his songs.
Hello Properganda
I’ve been a good boy regarding folk and country, I had another great weekend at the 2010 Cambridge Folk Festival, seeing great atristes you promote like The Burns Unit and I’ have just ordered Richard Thompson’s new CD, ‘Dream Attic’!
However, I’m also buying lots of Trojan reggae, delicious but abberant you’ll agree – and have only one Dale Watson CD!
So I’m sure you would want to get me back on the straight and narrow and enjoying some good ole’ truck drivin’ Dale output as soon as possible….!
So pretty please, I’d love the Dusty Shelf album..
Love and roots,
Paul Mortimer
hi yeah does sound like a goodie heard a couple of tracks over the years on bob harrs any id really like a copy of this give it a good home and put it in the vans cd player to get into those long drives to west counrty
paul
Looks like a winner , which missed. Love to have a spare copy for my collection.
Thanks
From the write up it looks like it would be a good album to add to my collectilon not least for the album cover which I am sure my daughter would love. Cut off denim shirt, tatttoos and an earing, the man has style. So his music cannot be bad.
I’d love to rehome this little beauty
Ange x