Dwight Yoakam may have perfected his sound in California, but heâs going back to his Kentucky roots for his new album. On Sept. 23, Dwight will release Swimminâ Pools, Movie Stars, an 11-track album that will feature bluegrass versions of songs from his past catalogue, as well as a bonus track bluegrass cover of Princeâs âPurple Rain.â
Dwight, who has a vast and varied cadre of musical influencesâfrom Buck Owens and Merle Haggard to the Beach Boys and the Byrdsâshared his sentiments of Prince on Twitter when the superstar passed away earlier this year.
Shockingly sad news⊠RIP Prince⊠as âDoves Cryâ Dwight
â Dwight Yoakam (@DwightYoakam) April 21, 2016
With his cover of âPurple Rain,â it appears Dwight is paying homage to the music icon on his new album that reflects the love for bluegrass that Dwight developed at an early age in Kentucky. Nash Country Daily got an advance listen to the new album, and for all the Dwight fans out there, you are in for a real treat.
The project was produced by nine-time Grammy winner Gary Paczosa (Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton), Jon Randall (songwriter of âWhiskey Lullabyâ) and Dwight. It was recorded at both Southern Ground Studio in Nashville and the legendary Capitol Records Studio B in Los Angeles and mixed by Chris Lord Alge.
Dwight assembled a team of bluegrass luminaries for the instrumentation, including Grammy winner and nine-time international Bluegrass Music Association Guitar Player of the Year Bryan Sutton on guitar, Grammy winner Stuart Duncan on fiddle and banjo, 14-time Grammy winner Barry Bales on bass, Adam Steffey on mandolin (Alison Krauss) and Scott Vestal on banjo (Sam Bush).
The LP also features harmony vocals by Jonathan Clark, Brian Whelan, Davey Faragher and newcomer Bryan Joyce.
Check out the track listing to Swimminâ Pools, Movie Stars.
âWhat I Donât Knowâ
âFree to Goâ
âSad, Sad Musicâ
âThese Armsâ
âI Wouldnât Put It Past Meâ
âListenâ
âTwo Doors Downâ
âGuitars, Cadillacsâ
âHome for Saleâ
âPlease, Please Babyâ
âGone (Thatâll Be Me)â
âPurple Rainâ