Gene Watson: CMP Album Reviews
Gene Watson has been singing professionally since the late 1950s & has been
a country music (album) recording artist since the late 1960s.
Gene Watson steps into a recording studio and, like a great chef, uses the
perfect ingredients to create an aural feast. When Gene Watson takes a step
behind the microphone, magic happens.
Gene Watson's contribution to the country music genre is immeasurable and it
is here that you have an opportunity to read a review of Gene Watson's 'The
Good Ole Days' (Step One Records, 1996), as published in the
January 1997
issue of Country Music People.
Country Music People is the United Kingdom's No. 1 Award Winning Country
Music Magazine, and was the recipient of the Country Music Association's
2003 Wesley Rose International Achievement Award.
Country Music People was first published in 1970 and protects its integrity
fiercely. The magazine has always brought its readers detailed, honest
record reviews untainted by advertising considerations, as well as genuine
interviews with country stars that are not faked from interview discs sent
out by publicists and record labels.
Country Music People have
long ago nailed its colours to the mast where Gene Watson is concerned.
The magazine has rigorously championed Gene's cause down through the years
and have published a number of reviews of his album releases.
All reviews have been reproduced with the kind permission
of Country Music People.
'The Good Ole Days' (Step One Records, 1996)
This CMP review by Craig Baguley, which was published in the January 1997 issue
of Country Music People, is reproduced here with the kind permission of the
publishers.
Album Review by Craig Baguley
(9 out of 10)
'Gene Watson's second album for Step One proves yet again that the wider
country music world is missing out on one of the greatest artists of the
genre. On one hand, I'd love to see the impossible happen with Watson on a
major label and back high in the charts; on the other, I've always loved Ray
Pennington's productions, and this blend of straight country and fine
western swing is no exception.
What also impresses me about Pennington is his ability as a songwriter. Of
course, the fact that so many Pennington compositions appear on Step One
recordings has not a little to do with the fact that he's head man at the
label. With other producers, this would customarily lead to mundanity, but
not so with Ray. He's one of the good ol' boys from way back who knows what
a country song's all about, and when his writing is combined with the
artistry of a singer like Gene Watson, magic happens.
Take the three swing numbers, 'The good ole days are right now', 'You pushed
me to the limit' and 'Where I'm concerned' - excellent band arrangements and
spot-on vocals from Gene make for an irresistible formula. I suspect the
musicians had a ball, too, particularly
Buddy Emmons
on steel, because
western swing of this calibre is being cut nowhere else in Nashville these
days.
On ballads, too, Watson is a killer, up there with
Jones
and Gosdin, and his
vocal attack on 'Change her mind' proves he's still in magnificent form. As
a bonus for yours truly, he's also re-cut probably my favourite Gene Watson
track ever, the inimitable Joe Allen ballad, 'I don't need a thing at all',
though memory suggests his original cut had the slight edge.
Gene's also re-recorded his big hits from 1975 and 1982 respectively, the
steamy 'Love in the hot afternoon' (together now, in your best low voice,
'Filet, Gumbo') and 'Speak softly (you're talking to my heart)', though I
would have preferred two more originals rather than a replay of these
so-well-known tunes.
It's good to see the name of Tommy Collins up there in the co-writer credits
on 'The man that broke your heart', a mid-tempo mover about a guy thankful
to the title's protagonist for walking out on his lady so he could walk in
('if I met him, what the heck, well, I'd hug his old red neck'). Gene also
offers a fine version of the old Ray Price slow shuffle, 'Getting over you
again', with
Buddy Emmons
adding a lovely steel backup.
If only we could have a new Gene Watson album every six months...'
Craig Baguley
Country Music People
January 1996
