Dwight’s new single, “Who’ll Stop the Rain,” a cover of the CCR song, is the first off of a new album due out later this year. In a day when country radio is mainly a hodge-podge, a song like this will unlikely garner much airplay in the mainstream.
Part of me wants to say that if we’re going to get a cover song, there’s a lot of great classic country songs out there that Dwight could’ve covered. Another part says that Dwight has put out more than a fair share of pure covers albums, and as good as they are, having waited two years for new music from him, I’d really love to hear something new and original. Still, another part of me knows that if an artist can take a classic rock song from CCR and make it sound authentically country, then I’m perfectly fine with that. And if one were to put together a list of artists who can do something like that, Dwight Yoakam would be sure to be near the top of such a list.
Dwight Yoakam not only manages to make this song sound authentically country, he does it in his own trademark style and makes it sound as honky-tonk as almost any other song he’s put out over a thirty-year career.
Dwight’s voice is as distinguishable and unique as you’ll find, and he makes his version of this song his own. Still, I’m more than ready for his new album with new original music.