I'm not much of a Country & Western fan. I like some of it, but outside of a few Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, George Strait, and Willie Nelson tunes, I can't think of too many songs that I consider "must have" music.

Dwight Yoakam is an exception here. I'm recommending this CD only because it does have D.Y.'s big 1980's hits, but I would caution readers that to really get a feel for how good this guy is, you need to check out the CD's from which these songs were taken ("Guitars, Cadillacs, etc", "Hillbilly Deluxe", "Buenos Noches from a Lonely Room", and more)...and more than likely, after listening to this, you'll do that anyhow [the songs here are THAT good]. Still, for those of us who are just tourists in the world of C & W, this is a superb selection of songs.

Like most of Dwight's material (before and after this hits CD), the songs make on wonder if perhaps one has misjudged C & W all together: I mean, Dwighty Yoakam isn't the only one doing great C & W, is he? Well at the time this CD came out, no he was not. Clint Black, George Strait and dozens of other new artists were doing great Country music. Some time after 1990, the music became formulaic and monotonous ("velveeta music" is how one Austin DJ described it: not just cheesy, but synthetic to boot!). Fortunately, it's finally stopped selling too, so perhaps there's hope for the innovators like Mr. Yoakam.

Best cuts here: Streets of Bakersfield, Guitars & Cadillacs, Please Baby Please, Honky Tonk Man, Little Sister, ... jeez they're all great. In fact, most artists would be lucky if their "greatest hits" packages included one song as good as anything here.

After this, you'll probably want more Dwight Yoakam, so check out his "greatest hits of the 1990's" CD next (unless you're alread a fan, in which case you already own all his CD's, more than likely.

Dwight Yoakam emerged on country radio in 1986 with a cover of Johnny Horton's "Honky Tonk Man," creating a sizable alt-country niche that continues in spite of increasingly reduced radio play over the years. This disc chronicles Yoakam's hits from his first three albums: Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. (1986), Hillbilly Deluxe (1987), and Buenos Nochas From A Lonely Room (1988). With Pete Anderson on board from the start as producer and guitarist extraordinaire, Yoakam's lonesome tenor connects nicely - and charts highly - with everything he touches during this period, be it the honkytonkin' "Honky Tonk Man," the tearjerker "I Sang Dixie," or the rockabilly Elvis fave "Little Sister." Through his chartopping, toetapping duet with Buck Owens on "Streets Of Bakersfield," Yoakam was also able to introduce some of his musical influences to young listeners.

The only omission of note from this early phase is his faithful remake of Lefty Frizzell's "Always Late With Your Kisses," with awesome, retro background vocals. On the plus side, we get the
stark, soulful "Sin City" duet with k.d. lang. This is the only place to get this awesome duet (the version on the Reprise Please Baby box set features Yoakam solo).

Dwight Yoakam is the best natural country singer since George Jones. He has a distinctive style and voice which set him apart from the rest of the pack. This compilation offers an excellent sampler of some of his best early work, and all the elements are there: good material, excellent production, and spirited performances. There is not a bad cut on the entire album, which will leave the listener eager for more. As long as Dwight Yoakam is around, country music has a bright future. Thanks, Dwight!

Dwight Yoakam is a truly unique singer, with a unique voice. No one else can sing like him. This CD is, in my opinion, his finest, as it showcases his best work: Honky Tonk Man; Guitars, Cadillacs; and my favorite, I Sang Dixie. I find myself listening to this CD over and over again. His music is addictive. I highly recommend this CD, you will not regret buying it. :-)

Out of my collection of over 300 CD's, about two-thirds of which are country, this has got to be my hands-down favorite, and the one I go back to over and over. Can't seem to get enough of that one-of-a-kind Dwight twang, and I may just have to replace this CD from over-use! If you like traditional country sound with an edge, you will love this CD. Best cut on it? "Guitars, Cadillacs", no doubt about it!