Dale Watson is excited to announce the release of a new single, “She Was My Baby.” Listen here. It’s off of his forthcoming release Unwanted due April 24th via 40 Below Records, Pre-order here. Thus far, the two singles that have been released, “Willie Waylon And Whiskey” and ‘If You Really Love Me (Outlive Me)”, that have been embraced by the press – “Dale Watson is a living, breathing American roots-music legend,” declares Magnet; “A song that embodies Dale’s passion for true country music called ‘Willie Waylon and Whiskey.’ It can be confirmed — it’s a cooker,” raves Saving Country Music; “Whether it’s honky-tonk, outlaw country, western swing or rockabilly he’s playing, Watson’s signature ‘Ameripolitan’ sound has earned him the status of a genuine living legend and a rule-breaking traditionalist, blazing a trail for artists like Joshua Hedley, Brennen Leigh and Charley Crockett,” writes Holler; “Watson’s music sounds like a time capsule from another era… more rooted,” reflects Taste of Country; “‘Willie, Waylon and Whiskey’ brings alt-country, the Bakersfield sound and psychedelic surf rock together as only Watson could — driving, frenetic, and packed with outlaw spirit,” notes The Bluegrass Situation.
“She Was My Baby” tells the gritty tale of a man come undone. “I wrote “She Was My Baby” explains Dale, as an amalgamation of the women that make men really just lose their minds and common sense to where you don’t recognise yourself until it’s over and you can look back with more clarity. I’ve been in that mindset of a relationship , where you’re so “in love“ or “insane” that your judgement is out of character. I’ve been there and I’ve seen friends there. It’s hard to be talked out of it and hard to talk someone out of it. It usually has to run its course. As I say in the song , you can’t rope the wind and you’ll go insane trying to tame what you don’t understand. Was, is the operative word here.”
With his new album Unwanted, Watson delivers another unapologetic statement from the heart of American roots music. It’s a lean, hard-hitting blast of honky-tonk, outlaw country, western swing, and rockabilly — the sound he named Ameripolitan and has championed for more than 40 years. Entirely written and produced by Watson, the album is another defiant stand from one of American roots music’s true originals.
Backed by The Lonestars, Watson is joined by Celine Lee, The Memphians, Katie Shore (Asleep at the Wheel), and pianist Matt Hubbard. “Everybody on this record knows how to make the music breathe,” Watson says. “That’s the difference.”
