[.ca] That's Why I Sing This Way

From Amazon.com:
Daryle Singletary's career has so far been an example of square peg traditionalist unfairly forced into the round hole of Nashville hackdom. His first recordings for Giant reflected the incongruity of a fine traditional singer shoved into the meat grinder of Nashville formulas, obscuring his real talent. Never imitating, his voice, in many ways an amalgam of all those he honors, glides through standards like Lefty Frizzell's "Long Black Veil," Merle Haggard's "Make Up and Faded Blue Jeans," and George Jones's "Walk Through This World with Me." He also presents some unexpected treats, reviving John Wesley Ryles's long-forgotten 1968 hit "Kay," Johnny Paycheck's "Old Violin," Conway Twitty's "I'd Love to Lay You Down," and the Loretta Lynn-Twitty duet "After the Fire Is Gone," sung with Rhonda Vincent. Dwight Yoakam, George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Johnny Paycheck all contribute cameos. A newly penned Max D. Barnes title track sums up this loving tribute, and Singletary's potential becomes abundantly clear. --Rich Kienzle

Just like old times!:
When I first dropped a laser on this disc my wife said it reminded her of the jukebox at the Labor Center in Leadville when she was bartending there so many, many years ago and that comment just about nails it. This is great stuff from a man with some incredible pipes. There is not a bad cut on the album and I'd be hard put to even choose a favorite. Perhaps, Johns Wesley Riles' Kay, Merle's Make Up and Faded Blue Jeans, or Singletary's sizzling duet with Rhonda Vincent on Conway and Loretta's chestnut, After the Fire is Gone. I hope this cd does well for Mr. Singletary and he leaves the pap of modern Nashville behind.

Good old-fashioned hard country honkytonk:
Nothing new here, but then again, that's pretty much the point. Singletary pays tribute to his honky-tonk heroes -- Buck Owens, Conway Twitty, Joe Maphis and others -- covering songs like "A-11," "Kay," "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke," and "Long Black Veil..." Ole Possum, George Jones, gets his very own tribute song, with Max D. Barnes's "That's Why I Sing This Way," wherein the singer relates how old Jones albums were used as instruments of corporal punishment ("My mama used to whup me with a George Jones album/That's why I sings this way...") It's a good old, rollicking hard country number, much in keeping with this new traditionalist's other work. If you're looking for evidence that real-live honkytonk music is still alive, this album may cheer you quite a bit.

Country Music is Alive & Kickin':
And Daryle Singletary knows it. He wants others to know it, too. That's why he sings this way. Although the disc is nearly all cover songs, they are presented here fresh and new. Daryle knows his roots and he celebrates them. Thank God he escaped from Gnashville's meat grinder, and thank God for Audium Records, who continue to bring us these great country artists who can't get anywhere with corporate-owned radio (who insist we really don't want to hear this kind of music) and Gnashville labels who want to dig up redneck roots and wipe themselves clean of any "hick" image. Most of all, thank God for artists like Daryle Singletary, who still sing this way. If you're hungry for real country and honky-tonk, help yourself to this album. You will love every second.

A classic country CD - a must buy:
Any fan of classic country music must have this CD. It is like a walk down memory lane. Daryle Singletary's deep and rich voice is extremely versatile. He is able to imitate the singing style of George, Conway and Johnny Paycheck and others without sounding at all unnatural. There's not a bad song on this CD. But I think the cover of Johnny Paycheck's "Old Violin" is particularly well done and moving. Johnny adds the spoken word recitation at the end of the song that brings more than just this CD to an end.

A New Favorite:
This is a terrific album. Every track is a winner. I don't remember many of these songs when they were originally released, but Daryle's cover versions are superb. My favorite is "Kaye"-what a great song. And dare I say, the duet of "After the Fire is Gone" with Rhonda Vincent is every bit as good as the original Twitty-Lynn version. This review could go on forever, because every track is worthy of praise. This CD is more than worth the price.

• Love's Gonna Live Here Again
• Walk Through This World With Me
• I'd Love To Lay You Down
• A-11
• Long Black Veil
• Kay
• That's Why I Sing This Way
• I Never Go Around Mirrors
• Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music)
• Make Up And Faded Blue Jeans
• After The Fire Is Gone (with Rhonda Vincent)
• Old Violin (with Johnny Paycheck)