EL RANCHO AZUL

This project by Dale Watson is classic Honky Tonk! There are witty lyrics, great hooks, shuffles, waltzes, walking bass lines, and deep, deep grooves that keep these songs in the pocket. Track 1 is a classic - check out Dale performing this song on Letterman; take note of his guitar chops! Dale may not be as well known as the "commercial" country artists, but he's a genuine talent and an authentic troubadour. He doesn't have to answer to stock holders! Congratulations to Mr. Watson for a great CD.

I'm primarily a rock or alternative genre person but after visiting Texas a few years back, I started to get into Texas Honky Tonk, which is very different than Nashville Country. I was under the mistaken impression that Texas Honky Tonk belonged to a past generation but Dale Watson's ElRanchoAzul brings it right back to the future. It contains some blue grass instrumentation with country's lamenting storied lyrics to become the perfect updated Western Country music. I loved it on the first listening and can't get 'Quick Quick Slow Slow' out of my head.

Heeee's baaaack!!! After a fallow period (starting in 2007 with FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE and continuing through 2010's CARRYIN' ON), Dale Watson is back in the game, delivering his strongest album since 2004's DREAMLAND. And the best news? EL RANCHO AZUL is no fluke....it comes hot on the heels of 2011's THE SUN SESSIONS, an album that showcased a re-energized Watson. (I'm also anxious to hear it's sequel, the soon-to-be-released import DALEVIS). What makes EL RANCHO AZUL so special is it's electricity, it's vitality...it's SPARK! Since getting into Watson with 2001's EVERY SONG I WRITE IS FOR YOU, it would be impossible to say he's ever made a BAD album, but there was that period mentioned above when he just seemed to be spinning his wheels That's all changed with these last two releases. The joy in Watson's voice is back, along with a killer new growl. Sharp instrumentation and clever storytelling all come together here, resulting in a stand out disc, certainly one of Watson's best to date. Things kick off with the rollicking "I Lie When I Drink." Graced with crisp instrumentation and a boisterous lead vocal, the song's true stars are it's vivid lyrics. Lines like "I walk in/The bartender rolls his eyes/At the same time the waitress, she just smiles/He's heard the truth about you/And she's heard it too/But slightly skewed" just jump out at you. VERY nice! "Where Do You Want It" is one of the disc's weaker tracks, but only because everything else is so strong. The cut features an energetic arrangement (special shout out to Danny Levin and his amazing fiddle!), but many of the lyrics get lost in the mix. O.K....just not great. "I Drink To Remember" has a nice, easy-going swing vibe to it. Every instrument just shines here (though I LOVE Levin's piano runs and fills!), and the doo-wop backing vocals are insanely catchy, but it's the overall ease in Watson's vocal that really nabs your attention. Definitely one of the disc's high points! Up next are a pair of songs that are enjoyable, albeit a tad bit slight. "Cowboy Boots" has a relaxed, almost sultry, groove to it, with a lead vocal that is equal parts sugar and spice, sexy and sly. Add some more great piano from Levin and you have a nice enough track. Coming from the thrice-divorced Watson, I'm not quite sure if "We're Gonna Get Married" is tongue-in-cheek or not. The arrangement is a hair bit frantic, though the instrumentation is snappy, while Watson's vocal nimbly skates over the lyrics. Definite filler, but in the best way possible. There's a delicate honesty to "Daughter's Wedding Song" that touches the listener to their very core. It's all about the vocal (unadorned and organic) and lyrics (sincere and from the heart) here. When Watson sings "You know, it's hard to let go/Of that little girl/Whose whole body/Would sleep on my chest/That lady's my baby/And I hope he knows/She deserves only the best"....Wow!!! There's a nice bookend quality to "Quick Quick Slow Slow" and "Slow Quick Quick"...this could be the same story, told from different points of view, or two different stories with similarities. Whatever the case, there's a sweetness to these twin tales of love found on the dance floor (the first to a lively two-step beat, the second to a romantic waltz vibe) that is undeniable. Once again, very nice! Up next is my favorite cut off of EL RANCHO AZUL, the spirited "Give Me More Kisses." Anchored by an almost rockabilly groove, the arrangement just dances out of the speakers, thanks in large part to the instrumentation, which is flawless. And then there's Watson's lead vocal...he spits, he smirks, he growls, he swoops, he soars.....PERFECTION! This is infectious with a capital "I!" "Drink Drink Drink" lopes along at a nice pace, buoyed by an assured lead vocal and spot-on instrumentation. (Special kudoes for the fiddling and steel guitar playing!). Sweet. There's a hint of danger to "I Can't Be Satisfied", but there's also a pinch of sadness. This tale of a troubadour who's only really at home on the road is upbeat and lively, but there's also a darkness flowing underneath. Nice contrasts. "I Hate To Drink Alone" has a cool, classic vibe to it.....if you didn't know better, you would swear it was a cover of a 50-year-old gem. Lively arrangement, smooth instrumentation, killer vocal....yep, a definite classic! "Smokey Old Bar" works for the most part (I love the line "Now, I sit here drinkin'/Pickin' at my label"), but there's something about the arrangement that just seems a bit...schizo. We'll call this one a draw. Things wrap up with the wink-and-a-nudge of "Thanks To Tequila." Nothing special here, but it does put a smile on your face. A great album closer? No. Fun? Most definitely! And that's what EL RANCHO AZUL is.....a whole lot of fun! I'm SO glad I hung in there....THIS is the Dale Watson I discovered over a decade ago, only better. With that new growl in his voice and a renewed humor and spirit, I can't wait to see what he does next! (As with all my reviews, I'm docking the disc half a star for not including the lyrics).

Old school country, think Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings. But I like Dale better!! He uses humor, listen to "Thanks to Tequila", a sweet song in "Today I'm giving my daughter away", two step dance songs country waltz and swing! Has energy in every song. This is the second CD I have bought of his, and I love them both. He is a consummate musician. Wonderful baritone voice, Cd has a nice mix of up tempo and slower songs, and NO covers! All original material. I hope you love this CD as much as I do!

Dale does it again with his own brand of country music. Dale's voice is just as good and smooth as always. The songs are a true delight and striped down no fancy strings etc. He fills the cd with two steppers, ballads and solid honk tonkers. As he does the songs were written by him.

You can't go wrong with Dale Watson. He's the deal, real. I particularly like his wordplay and his twists of phrase, and the voice and the band are sterling, like a great belt buckle carved by a master who knows when to keep his pants up and when to let them down. I've known Dale's work for many years, and my admiration has never diminished. If you like your honky tonk with plenty of unpretentious smarts, you go to Dale. If you like sharp humor as much as sharp heartache, you go to Dale. If you want the whole human thing done steeped in traditional brew and spiced up with some hot chili, you go to Dale. Go here, my friend.

Another fantastic album by Dale Watson. I Lie When I Drink is an instantly fun and memorable tune. Quick Quick Slow Slow is the perfect way to learn to 2-step. And Daughter's Wedding Song is pure beauty. Everything is classic Dale, which means it's excellent!

I absolutely LOVE this CD! After seeing Dale on Austin City Limits and really digging the hell out of his set, I picked this up-even bought one for my ex-wife-this is Country Music as it's intended to be! Can't say enough about the new-found respect I have gor this man and his music! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Dale Watson égal à lui-même. Moins Merle Haggard qu'à l'habitude (ce n'est pas une injure!!), plein de trouvailles. J'ai beaucoup aimé cet album comme les précédents. Surtout égal en studio à ses prestations scéniques. Très recommandable.

I purchased this CD after hearing him on Austin City Limits and then late night TV - Dale is the real deal! Love "I Lie When I Drink" and "The Daughter's Wedding Song" -- have been listening to his other music --- and love him and his sound. Dale and Ray Benson have teamed up and have cut a CD --- love the song about Merle Haggard -- great tribute. Hope someday to see and hear him live.

Adoro DW, soprattutto per "Truckin Session" , "I Hate These Songs" e il bellissimo "Every Song I Write is for You", quest'ultimo lavoro non raggiunge i suddetti capolavori, ma è comunque piacevole da ascoltare. Se vi capita andate ad un concerto del Watson: MERAVIGLIOSO!

Dale Watsons just keeps on getting better and better and this cd is clear proof. New Country? NO! Dale is one of the originals still in creative mode. Buy it.

Die Stimme von Dale Watson (ähnlich wie die von Merle Haggard) sticht schon mal aus dem Countrymusic-Einheitsbrei hervor! Dazu kommt,das er Jenseits jeglichen Nashville-trend sein Ding durch zieht! Bei "EL RANCHO AZUL" kommt dabei ein old fashioned Country Album heraus mit Honky Tonk,Waltzes,,,ebend old School,als hätte sich die Countrymusic niemals weiter entwickelt.Das soll jetzt nicht negativ sein - im Gegenteil! Ehrliche Countrymusic,statt Chartplatzierung. So ist er nun mal,der DALE WATSON: Love it or leave it.