The King of Ameripolitan is alive and well.
The term legend is an overused description, but in Dale Watson’s case, it’s a perfect fit. Originally cutting his teeth on Houston’s honky tonk circuit and releasing his debut album Cheatin’ Heart Attack in 1995, he’s become an icon of outlaw country music and one of its hardest-working stars. 300 shows a year are not uncommon, along with an average of an album every 12 months. At age 63, Unwanted is his latest release and long-time fans will not be disappointed.
Things kick off with the rollicking Willie Waylon and Whiskey a tribute to two of his biggest influences which even manages to slip in a riff from Nelson’s On The Road Again Backed by the Lonestars with contributions from his wife Celine Lee, who shares vocals on You’ve Got My Heart, Asleep at the Wheel’s Katie Shore, and celebrated pianist Matt Hubbard, this is as good as Watson has sounded on disc. Ameripolitan is the word he invented to describe his mix of honky tonk, outlaw country, western swing and rockabilly, which sits way outside of the Nashville norm. Don’t Let the Honky Tonks Go is classic Watson swinging along to a shuffle beat, a recipe followed by Never Mend the Broken Spoke, which features some classic honky tonk piano. A Watson album wouldn’t be complete without a few heartfelt ballads; If You Really Love Me (Outlive Me) and the contemplative Life is Like a Song are two of many highlights.
You might criticise Dale Watson for sticking to the same pattern, but that would be churlish when he does everything so well. As he says on Whatever Happened To The Cadillac, an anthem to nostalgia, “It may be new, but it’s not improved from my point of view.” As long as there’s a Dale Watson, Ameripolitan is in safe hands.
