Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc. (Rhino, 2006)

The typical reissue is often a couple of unreleased rarities alongside the original album. Some are double-disc releases. Rarely though will you see essentially a three-disc reissue of one album. But it's rare you'll come across an artist like Dwight Yoakam. The album that basically started it all is a gem on its own. Yet here we have disc 1 featuring demos from 1981 beginning with the rambling "This Drinkin' Will Kill Me" that instantly brings to mind the late Buck Owens. The traditional honky tonk Yoakam came to prominence with is also heard on "It Won't Hurt."

The demos also contain some tunes that never made the cut, including the toe-tapping, mid-tempo nugget "Floyd County" and the tender "You're The One," found later on "Buenos Noches From A Lonely Room" and "If There Was A Way," respectively. Other favorites are the fantastic "Miner's Prayer" and "Twenty Years." The album speaks for itself, although the demos sound stronger than the original album, which is highlighted by the title track, "I'll Be Gone" and "Heartaches By The Number.'

The second disc contains a live 1986 performance at The Roxy at the cusp of Yoakam's stardom. The 12 tracks shine with a verve that is apparent from the opening notes of "Can't You Hear Me Calling." Although much of the album is performed live, some notable highlights include a blazing "Rocky Road Blues," "I'll Be Gone" and the country swinging "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It."