Little Darlin' Sessions (Koch, 2007)
Dale Watson
Reviewed by Ken Burke
That said, the 15-songs assembled showcase some of the best pedal steel laden country music this side of 1967. Singing in a higher voice than usual, Watson channels George Jones and Johnny Paycheck's sense of wailing disquiet and Ray Price's sense of romantic rumination ("Touch My Heart"). Recording with a bare bones '60's Nashville sound - fiddle, steel, piano, drums, bass - the singer's playlist includes hurtin' songs ("Everything You Touch Turns to Hurt"), alcohol-fueled shuffles galore ("If I'm Gonna Sink"), and the occasional tale of justifiable homicide ("He Thought He'd Die Laughing"). Further, classy renditions of a few classics (Bobby Austin's "Apartment #9," Paycheck's "Lovin' Machine") smartly demonstrates his diverse emotional range.
The Koch set seems like an unfinished, albeit worthwhile, entry in what is shaping up as a remarkably compelling body of work.
CDs by Dale Watson
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