Dale Watson - Dreamland

Dale Watson is, in my mind, the reigning King of Country Music. With his thundering, emotion-laden baritone and wicked guitar chops, skilled pen and ability to fuse words and melody, he is today's Merle Haggard, the most eloquent and extraordinary honky-tonk singer you'll find.

Don't call him retro. His music is fresh, crisp, brand-new. He sings honky-tonk music the way it should sound. Watson calls Dreamland 'the best honky-tonk record I've ever made.' Easily. May be one of the best honky-tonk records anyone has ever made.

Dale Watson's music is the heart, the soul, and the power of country music; this album is what honky-tonk is all about. With the amazingly skilled Ray Benson holding the producer's reins (along with guitar and background vocals), this album is outstanding.

As a writer, Dale wrote 11 of the tracks, co-writing California Wine with Larry Dean and Way Down Texas Way with Gene Kurtz. He adds a spot-on cover of Tony Hazzard's Fox on the Run, which was a hit for Tom T. Hall. I have run out of adjectives to describe how good this album is; you'll have to judge for yourselves. ~ About.com

• Honky Tonkers Don't Cry
• Ain't A Cow In Texas
• Love At First Sight
• I Wish You'd Come Around
• California Wine
• Never Ever
• Dreamland
• Fox On The Run
• Way Down Texas Way
• She Don't Care
• I Don't Rock No Cradle
• Pretty Girls