Yoakam's eleventh album was his first of all new material in nearly three years. A Christmas set and a mediocre album of cover tunes were released in the meantime, while he

concentrated on acting in films like Sling Blade and The Newton Boys. Just when it seemed that Yoakam might never give music his full attention again, he delightfully surprised us with his

most consistent and personal effort to date.

Yoakam composed all of the thirteen tracks on A Long Way Home without collaboration. The overwhelming theme of these acoustically-driven numbers is romance and its inevitably

The one thematic detour is the mountain ode "Traveler's Lantern," featuring bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley on banjo and backup vocals. Its message of illuminating the path one

The first thing that struck me about this fabulous work of Dwight's is that you feel comfortable from the first listen. Often reviewers indicate they weren't in love with a CD on the first play, 'it grew on them'. This one grabs you from the git-go and never lets go. Don't let that statement make you believe this is old material and therefore not worth your interest. 'A Long Way Home' is full of surprises and excellent exhibits of what makes Dwight all that he is. Dwight did indeed 'come home'.

'The Curse' will stir remembrances of the heydays of Johnny Cash. The influence of Buck Owens is, as always, a welcome presence in 'I Wouldn't Put It Past Me'. Still these offerings manage to sound new and fresh.

Newcomers to Bluegrass who fell in love with Ralph Stanley (O Death) on the S/T to 'Oh Brother, Where Art Thou' will instantly recognize his supreme distinct voice and be glad to hear it singing backup on 'Traveler's Lantern' as Dwight travels into the Bluegrass genre.

Dwight's sense of humor and mimicking ability shine in the Elvis Homage introduction and version of the cut 'I Only Want You More'.

No one in music today writes lyrics like Dwight. If you question that statement, listen to 'That's Okay' This song is the perfect example of Dwight's writing ability. Who else in country music could develop the following lyrics then set them 'to tune' and make the result sweet to the ear? 'Voices about us softly mumbling words that trip my heart a stumbling' or 'I embrace small shards of silence to avoid a loss this violent'. Folks, remember this is country music we're talking here! A field built on beers/years, cry/die, and you/and anything that rhymes with it, etc. Dwight writes with the sophistication of a natural modern poet and marries the work with the ultimate 'country sound'.

'Things Change' and 'I'll Just Take These' are pure Dwight and sweet country and should put to rest any belief this is not a 'country' endeavor. It it country at its best.

My first introduction to Dwight Yoakam was his 'This Time' CD and it has always been my favorite. But 'Long Way Home' is tied for second, along with nearly all the others. In my repeated efforts to review his music, I have become repetitive and redundant (see?), and still haven't come even remotely close to describing his tremendous talent. So, instead of sitting there mumbling under your breath about my irritating efforts to describe the indescribable, get busy and obtain yourself a copy of this CD and prepare to listen and listen because you won't want to stop.

Dwight Yoakam has been called a very private person when not performing; but when you listen to his music, particularly music as compelling and introspective as what is found in "A Long Way Home," it becomes painfully obvious that he bares his heart and soul, repeatedly, in every song he writes. The searing pain in his music and lyrics--and not the angst-ridden pseudo-soul of teen death ballads or beat-the-puppy country--reaches down one's throat to grip the heart and pull it, bleeding, to the air with a raw intensity that very few writers/performers achieve. Dwight Yoakam doesn't appeal to everyone because some people don't understand that--but if you open your ears, and listen with your whole soul, "you might find yourself somewhere." Doesn't matter if you consider him country, alternative country, rock, soul, or what--he is Dwight, and this is him.

This album is a little more "rockin'" or "jammin" country than Dwight's previous releases, more in the direction of previous hits like "Little Sister" or "Suspicious Minds". Like those, these showcase Dwight's admiration for Elvis. However, only Dwight could write and perform songs that are different but still country, and he does so here with more style and feeling than many of today's other big name country superstars. If you're in the mood for something a little bit different, play Dwight's "A Long Way Home." It stands among his best.

Starting in the late 80s thru now, Dwight never disappoints fans. Each cd release gets better and better. His cds are cheap and well worth the asking price. Things Change is probably one of the best country songs of the last 10 years and the rest of the cd is amazing. Highly recommended.