Dwight Yoakam may have perfected his sound in California, but he’s going back to his Kentucky roots for his new album. On Sept. 23, Dwight will release Swimmin’ 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 Prince’s “Purple Rain.”
Dwight, who has a vast and varied cadre of musical influences—from Buck Owens and Merle Haggard to the Beach Boys and the Byrds—shared his sentiments of Prince on Twitter when the superstar passed away earlier this year.
Shockingly sad news… RIP Prince… as “Doves Cry” Dwight
— Dwight Yoakam (@DwightYoakam) April 21, 2016
With his cover of “Purple Rain,” 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 “Whiskey Lullaby”) 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 Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars.
“What I Don’t Know”
“Free to Go”
“Sad, Sad Music”
“These Arms”
“I Wouldn’t Put It Past Me”
“Listen”
“Two Doors Down”
“Guitars, Cadillacs”
“Home for Sale”
“Please, Please Baby”
“Gone (That’ll Be Me)”
“Purple Rain”
