By Ken Paulson – It wasn’t until about the fourth track on Dee White’s new album Southern Gentleman that I realized that something special was going on.
“Crazy Man” is a highly melodic song about redemption and a revived relationship, and is representative of the sound that works so well on this new release. Produced by Dan Auerbach and David Ferguson, the collection melds Countrypolitan with pop sensibilities circa 1968-72.
“Bucket of Bolts” is a good song about a bad car and great memories, while “Oh No” explores the opposite territory: the sheer despair of knowing that the person you love coming back. Yet even that has its earworms.
Sitting in are Ashley McBryde on “Road That Goes Both Ways” and Molly Tuttle on “Weary Blues From Waitin’.”
This could easily have been my favorite country album in 1970, but it sure sounds fresh in 2019.