Dwight Yoakam's album Under the Covers is in effect a direct parallel with Anne Lennox's album Medussa. Of course, Dwight has a Country background, so that's the spin he puts on this collection of these favorites from the past. Dwight really goes "out of his box" by trying, and succeeding in doing his interpretations of these oldy-goldies.

The song Tired Of Waiting For You, written by Ray Davies, actually comes off as a very hip Frank Sinatra-style big-band rendition, complete with a full horn section! Dwight also creates masterful, melodic versions of Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues, Wichita Lineman, Here Comes The Night, and Things We Said Today, which have no Country sounds in them. For the Country-sounding selections, Claudette by Roy Orbison, sounds like came right off of Dwight's Guitars, Cadillacs album! Playboy is rich with country fiddles and a great dance beat, as does The Last Time.

The song Baby Don't Go, written by Sonny Bono, is a duet with Sheryl Crow is a masterful version of a sing-along classic. This is my favorite song on the entire album! Dwight appropriately wraps-up the project with the song North To Alaska, which is different from all the others.

Even though it is different than all of the others on THIS album, it comes off sounding as if Dwight wrote the song, and incorporates a tremendous amount of things within a song that make it sound like many other Dwight songs!

If you are looking for a "traditional" Dwight Yoakam country album, this is not the one to get. However, if you want to discover just how varied and wide Dwight's talents are, this one is a MUST. I play this one when friends come over to visit, and it amazes everyone who actually listens to it!

Dwight Yoakam's 1997 album of cover songs, cleverly titled UNDER THE COVERS, is often harped on, but if you give it a few listens it will truly grow on you. Dwight takes each song and makes it his own, distinct, yet not taking away the original beauty or intent of the originals. COVERS features his take on songs by the likes of Roy Orbison, the Beatles, Ray Davies, Rolling Stones, The Clash, Johnny Horton and more. Quite the diverse list there. One definate highlight is the duet with Sheryl Crow on "Baby Don't Go". Other highlights include "Train in Vain", "Claudette", "Playboy", "Witchita Lineman", "Things We Said Today" and "North To Alaska". Overall an interesting collection, definately a grower, takes a few listens to sink in. Fans and admirers alike should be pleased.

Dwight Yoakum is an artist. George Straight is a singer. And there is a difference. Dwight took a chance on this record - and it did not really come together. Big deal. It is this creativity that inspired him to do a record of unexpected cover songs that also allows him to write all of the wonderful traditional country songs he creates. I like this record simpy because Dwight Yoakum could have churned out the same old record and everyone would have bought it. But he did not do that. He did something challenging and interesting musically - and you have to appreciate that because Dwight has some clue, some vision of what he wants to do musically...he's not just wandering into a studio and singing whatever they put in front of him.

This is, by far, Dwight's worst album. But Dwight Yoakum's worst album is still better than 90% of what most other people do.

He's diverse alright. Dwight Yoakum sings, plays and acts.He's been one of the constants in the world of modern country with a rock solid catalogue that is usually fairly traditional but often contains suprises.Recently,in a true subversion of justice, he was denied an Oscar for his superb performance in last year's "Slingblade". Such are the politics of Hollywood. But not one to dwell on failures, Yoakum has been back in the studio doing what he does best. This time, the result is "Under the Covers", a tour de force of covers that's sure to please. Can you picture a bluegrass version of the Clash's "Train in Vain" featuring Ralph Stanley on Banjo?Believe it folks, and it really rocks! There's a lounge lizard take on the old Kinks' tune "Tired of waiting with hip/schlocky horns and a twangy cover of Sonny and Cher's "Baby Don't Go" with Sheryl Crow. His band is one of the tightest units recording today and seem comfortable playing in any genre. Pete Anderson's guitar solo in "Witchita Lineman" makes this my favorite version of a song I did'nt really care for when Glen Campbell recorded it in the sixties. As always, Scott Joss fiddles to a fare thee well throughout the album. The one cut that doesn't come across well here is "Here Comes the Night" (the old Them hit) with a rather annoying slip beat. But it's quickly followed with a hillbilly version of the Stone's "The Last Time" and the Beatles "Things We Said Today"done here somewhat like the theme from an old spy movie and featuring another great guitar solo. Other highlights include Roy Orbison's "Claudette", Danny O'Keefe's "Goodtime Charlie's Got The Blues", and a take on "North to Alaska" that gives Johnny Horton a run for his money. And to throw in a little mystery, the disc ends with a cover of Jimmie Rodgers' "T For Texas" that appears neither in the booklet or on the jewel box. All in all, a very enjoyable release that suffers only from the aforementioned "Here Comes the Night" and it's short legnth,an unfortunate practice widely used in the industry today.

The other reviewers are right when they point out that this isn't Dwight Yoakam's best or most original work. The album does have its flaws, it is, as has been mentioned, 'uneven', but serious fans will want it anyway, if only for the chance to hear Yoakam sing the music of those who most influenced him. Everyone knows he grew up listening to Owens and Haggard, but how many artists today can claim to have been inspired by Johnny Horton, Roy Orbison and the Beatles? It's clear that Dwight Yoakam's unique sound comes at least in part from the many and varied influences represented here. This is one to listen to with that frame of mind, not looking for originality or creativity, at least not primarily so.

One other bit of info: there is a hidden track at the end of the CD. This last cover is of Jimmie Rodgers' "T for Texas". Dwight does the song well, with a sparse, rhythmic arrangement and some added verses. Dwight's cover version is also available on a recent Rodgers tribute album that also contains contributions from Willie Nelson, Iris Dement and Jerry Garcia (Garcia's last recorded performance before his death).