Aaron Watson - The Honky Tonk Kid

Country music reviews, In an attempt to bring you the very best in Country Music reviews, Rikks Revues has gathered the best Independent and signed, or Major and smaller label country acts and has gathered them in one place for your viewing and listening pleasure. So take your time, and when you get done with one review, go back (click the arrow after the review) to the main Country reviews page, and check and see what other star, or star in the making you might have missed. If a single artist has more than one review, they will all be listed on the artists main page, newest reviews always nearer the top. Enjoy the Review of Aaron Watson's "The Honky Tonk Kid", then head back to the main country music reviews page and check out any other artists you may have missed, or would like to read about.

Click on Aaron's CD Cover to go check out his website. Read the review of Aaron Watson, then buy the music, price comparisons after the review. The earlier CD review of Aaron Watson's Shut Up An Dance is below the latest review...... Listen to Aaron Watson music clips in Windows Media streaming format following the review of "The Honky Tonk Kid". 

     Aaron Watson - The Honky Tonk Kid

Aaron Watson - The Honky Tonk Kid

It was about this same time last year when I first got introduced to the music of Aaron Watson for the first time. It was the same time I first introduced you to his music too with Shut Up And Dance (review farther down). Well, then I said it was a near perfect CD, and a lot of you agreed too, well what about the Honky Tonk Kid, I am always interested to see how artists will follow up a great album. So when I get this CD in the mail I have it opened and in the player in 2 seconds flat as anticipation is really killing me, and this is what I found after multiple listens to this CD.

Aaron Watson doesn't disappoint, this is more of an extension of Shut Up And Dance, more solid songwriting, a great mix of up-tempo and mellow tunes. Texas boy Aaron Watson shows me again what country music is supposed to sound like with this mix of traditional country, honky tonk, rockin country, and texas swing. On this journey though we get some added bonuses along the way. Aaron Watson is an independent artist, you wouldn't know it by simply reading the cover though, as he brings us some distinguished guests as well. For instance the title track "The Honky Tonk Kid" about an aging barroom singer/ performer, is a duet with none other than Willie Nelson, now that is impressive. We all know Willie loves Texas and loves music, so it is impressive, but not surprising he would want to be on a killer CD. 

Aaron Watson brings his writing and performing to the next level, blending his upbeat style with a real sense of humor at times, and filled with passion for his craft. Bringing us some tender moments, some fun tunes that will become barroom favorites. One such bar favorite is the track Aaron wrote with Neal Lowry and Jason Roberts "Let's Go Honky Tonkin' " is really just a simple fun song recorded with guests Asleep At The Wheel. Aaron also does a duet with Dale Watson on the roaring "Diesel Drivin' Daddy". As good as the guests are, these are not the best tunes on the CD, they are good, especially "The Honky Tonk Kid", but there are better here......

Someone asked me just a short time ago where was the "true" country music, I said you're looking in the wrong place, you gotta go to Texas, that's where the real country music is today, it's elsewhere to, but Texas remains true. Aaron Watson is true and honest country, through and through. From the tender songs such as "Let's Lose Some Sleep Tonight" (Yeah, I grinned when I read that title too), and "Next To Heaven" to the rollicking energy and drive of the single "Reckless" (Top 5 at point of writing this review on Texas Music Chart), and "The Right Place" which is a wonderful song that was certainly written to open live shows. Aaron Watson impresses the hell out of me folks, this is prime Grade-A country music that won't disappoint even the most finicky fans of country music. You just can't get much better than this. Superb!

   ( 5.5 Stars out of 6 )

   Stream "Reckless";

    Stream "Let's Lose Some Sleep Tonight"

Play clips, click on the play button or song name, you must have Windows Media Player to get it click will also stream with the latest Real Player™

- Buy from Amazon.com $14.99 (USD)

- Buy from Amazon.ca $ 23.99 (CDN)

     Buy From Tower Records for $15.99 (USD)

Aaron Watson - Shut Up And Dance

Aaron Watson – Shut Up and Dance

This is more what I’ve been waiting for from the indie movement. A CD filled from beginning to end with Great original country songs that have a complete identity of their own and their Artist's originality shines through. This 14 song journey starts with the upbeat “I Don’t Want You To Go (But I Need You To Leave)” if this is an indication of what’s to come, I’m there! A fun rollicking song that is as good instrumentally as it is vocally and plain FUN!

The rest of the CD from Aaron doesn’t disappoint me either, the very next tune “The Notel Motel” is just as good. A song I could here being played out of car speakers and Jukeboxes everywhere “There’s a vacancy at home, not Tonight at the Notel Motel, In a room full of lies , where love’s stolen, or put up for sale” This CD is the BEST underground country CD I have heard in a long time, Aaron Watson is going to be coming to your home stereo very, very soon. This one is a keeper from the get go.

The Louisiana sound of “Heaven Help The Heart” to the Texas Swing of “Something With A Swing To It”, this CD has got most everything country needs today. Next we’ve got the country waltz of the title cut “Shut Up and Dance” talks of makin’ enough money and keepin’ up with the Jones’, it all doesn’t matter when the man and woman “Shut Up and Dance”. “Stayin’ at home for a night on the town, So turn the music up, we’ll dim the lights down, Let those old records keep spinnin’ around, Replace all your worries with some romance, Tell me you love me, Then We’ll Shut Up and Dance……”, If that don’t say country, nothing does. All songs were at least co-written by Watson here, with partner Neal Lowry these are new country classics.

With titles like “Stuck Between A Rock And A Heartache”, “Lonely Lubbock Nights” and the very amusing “Wrangler Butts” this is a winner. Forget what Mommy and Daddy taught you about Country music, this is the New Country Explosion in full gear. After you purchase this album (and you will) tell your friends about Aaron Watson he is on his way to the big time, I suggest you get behind him now so you can say “I remember him when….”. I’m gonna Shut Up now so I can go listen to “Shut Up And Dance” by Aaron Watson in peace. A damn good example of the “indie” country movement.

  (5 Stars out of 6)

2002 Sonnet Publishing

Aaron's website 

The title track for this CD is also on Rikks Pikks Volume 1 compilation CD Click Here to hear and Buy it.......