December 22, 2024

Skylight Webzine

Online since 2000

Country Renegade DALE WATSON Joins Swiss Rockabilly Heroes THE HILLBILLY MOON EXPLOSION For A Heel Kickin’ Version Of BUCK OWENS/BEATLES Classic “ACT NATURALLY!”

Hot on the boot spurred heels of Dale Watson’s incredible duet with Nashville royalty Lorrie Morgan on a new version of the Merle Haggard classic “I’ve Always Been Crazy,” Watson today unleashes another superb duet from his upcoming Jukebox Fury album, this time featuring the rockabilly stylings of the Zurich-based outfit The Hillbilly Moon Explosion. This international, cross-cultural collaboration has resulted in a scintillating new version of the all-time favorite “Act Naturally,” originally released in 1963 by Buck Owens and later famously covered by The Beatles on their 1965 album Help!.

Watson’s rendition adheres faithfully to the original’s feel but producer Danny B. Harvey amps up the energy with his slinky Telecaster that walks up and down the fret board enhancing Watson’s vocals. But the magic really kicks in when Hillbilly vocalist Emanuela Hutter takes over the second verse and then harmonizes effortlessly with Watson on the song’s chorus. It’s a true highlight that both Owens and The Beatles could not help but appreciate.

As Harvey puts it, “In the same way Dale Watson has painstaking stayed true to his outlaw country / traditional roots and helped kept that music alive around the world, The Hillbilly Moon Explosion has kept Rockabilly / Psychobilly / Rock’nRoll fresh and exciting for a few decades now. This is my second opportunity to produce Emanuela Hutter, who needs no production by the way, and as before the performances she and Oliver Baroni delivered on this record are amazing. Dale Watson & The Hillbilly Moon Explosion, is a match made in heaven on The Lonesome Highway to Hell.”

Stream the single:https://orcd.co/dale_watson_hme_act_naturally

Jukebox Fury includes several more memorable performances of classic songs like Bob Seger’s “Turn The Page,” Willie Nelson’s “Always On My Mind,” and Kenny Rogers “The Gambler.” Featured guests include Stax legend Steve Cropper, Johnny Cash & Gram Parson’s pianist Earl Poole Ball, Linda Gail Lewis and others! The album will be available for sale everywhere April 22 on all formats including limited edition GOLD vinyl.

Pre-order the CD/vinyl:https://cleorecs.com/store/?s=Dale+Watson+Jukebox+Fury&post_type=product
Pre-save the digital:https://orcd.co/dale_watson_jukebox_fury

TRACK LIST:
1. Turn The Page
2. Sundown
3. Always On My Mind feat. Linda Gail Lewis
4. Polk Salad Annie
5. For What It’s Worth
6. Treat Her Right feat. Steve Cropper
7. I’ve Always Been Crazy feat. Lorrie Morgan
8. Have You Ever Seen The Rain?
9. Bluer Than Blue
10. The Gambler
11. A Horse With No Name
12. Act Naturally feat. The Hillbilly Moon Explosion