Dwight Yoakam - A Long Way Home

In the vein of 1995's Gone, Dwight Yoakam continues to argue for an alternative-country future. Expanding his retro Bakersfield sound with significant flourishes of more contemporary and not-so-contemporary pop, rock, and soul, A Long Way Home is an aurally stunning and eclectic recording. "These Arms" begins as a Ray Price shuffle, then seamlessly morphs into a dramatic pop gem, while the thrilling "Yet to Succeed" and "I'll Just Take These" are modern countrypolitan. And mixed among the country pop are roadhouse rockers and bluegrassy hollers, all with some of the more arresting lyrics of Yoakam's career. His last three releases--collections of live tracks, quirky covers and Christmas songs--have been distressingly subpar, but A Long Way Home finds Yoakam not as far from home as we'd feared. --David Cantwell Amazon.com

I'm a fan

A Long Way Home I pretty much like everything Dwight does, so this is a somewhat biased review. If you are also a fan, you will enjoy this CD. I would not recommend this CD, however, if you are looking to purchase your first Dwight Yoakam CD. For a great Dwight introduction, I would suggest "If There Was a Way," "Just Looking for a Hit," or "This Time." March 21, 2008

Dwight does it again

Starting in the late 80s thru now, Dwight never disappoints fans. Each cd release gets better and better. His cds are cheap and well worth the asking price. Things Change is probably one of the best country songs of the last 10 years and the rest of the cd is amazing. Highly recommended. November 27, 2005

An Outstanding Album

Typical Dwight....brilliant. This album doesn't have the popularity of "This Time" or "Guitars, Cadillacs, etc..." which is a real shame. This album is nothing but pure traditional country music with a little rockabilly thrown in for good measure. Persoanlly, I find the best tracks to be "Same Fool" (return to Bakersfield sound for the staring number), "Things Change" (this one sounds like it belongs on "This Time"), "These Arms" (Perhaps the best track", and of course, "Traveler's Lantern" (absolutely stupendous Kentucky Bluegrass). Dwight has a habit of throwing the occasional curve ball, and he closes out this album with a bravado-filled remake of "Only Want You More" titled "Maybe you Like it, Maybe you Dont". Always good to hear an artist having fun.....especially one who has consistently put out the finest Country Music in decades. You owe it to yourself to buy this one. October 5, 2005

solid Dwight

A lot of critics would flog this album because they say it's not evolutionary or unique. Let me tell those pokes something. This *is* country music. This is his most consistent and enjoyable album since This Time. I listen to this without hitting the 'next' button on the CD player. And that is rare, even when you consider that it's packed with 13 well merited songs for your dollars.
"These Arms" and the title track are classic sounding Bakersfield Dwight Yoakam . "Traveler's Lantern" is about as close to quality bluegrass (an homage to his Kentucky roots?) as you will hear with contemporary Country (not to mention with a wonderful lyrical landscape). "That's Okay", "Curse", and "Things Change" will have you singing along unapologetically. And what would a Dwight project be without a weeper such as "I'll Just Take These" and a rocker like "Only You Want More"?

I can't believe how overlooked this album is in his catalog. Dwight and Pete Anderson get all due respect from me whenever they put someting on platter. Great job, guys! October 17, 2003

An outstanding collection of original songs

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. August 25, 2003

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