It won’t take you long to figure out that Dale Watson‘s album El Rancho Azul is keeping it real. Sit right down, pop a top off a Lone Star and give it a listen, or simply peruse the song titles to get an initial idea: “I Lie When I Drink,” “Quick Quick Slow Slow,” “Cowboy Boots”…”I Hate To Drink Alone.” For crying out loud, if you know anything about nightlife, it’s clear that these tunes are true tales from the country-western dance halls.
El Rancho Azul brings to life every kind of interesting character you can imagine out on the dance floor or hunched over by the bar down at the local honky-tonk. These are portraits of all the rogues, rebels, broken hearts and babbling fools Watson has encountered at gigs he’s done throughout the years. He likes writing about these real-life situations. It truly is the best way to capture the two-steppin’, beer-drenched honky-tonk spirit.
No doubt you’ll get to hear some of these gems at Dale Watson’s show tonight at The Continental Club, 1315 S. Congress Ave. The music starts at 10 p.m. Worth staying up late for. Dale is the best. Recommended.