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 'Little
by Little' (MCA Records, 1984), as published in the
March 1984
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.
'Little by Little' (MCA Records, 1984)
This review by Bob Powell, which was published in the March 1984 issue of
Country Music People, is reproduced here with the kind permission of the
publishers.
Album Review by Bob Powell
(**** out of 5)
'When Gene Watson hit the country charts way back in 1975 he was singing
honky tonk song, and now nearly nine years later he is doing exactly the
same thing, and achieving great success with it. He once told me that if he
couldn't perform the sort of music he liked, he would go back to repairing
cars, and I believe him.
At time of writing, Gene's only single from this LP, 'Drinking my way back
home', is a top ten hit, and a real raunchy tune it is too, the unusual
thing about it though, in these days of four minute hits, it is barely two
minutes long. There are plenty of potential hits here, but my favourite is
the title track, a great tune, but a sad song, about a family breaking up,
'Little by little'. It is composed by Danny Morrison and Larry Keith.
The better known pair of Warren Robb and Dave Kirby (both formerly on major
labels as singers) have a fine treatment done on their song 'Forever again',
while another of my favourites is Ronny Scafe and Jerry Hays' 'The
Chesapeake Bay'. The straight down the line production is by Watson, and
the man who has been with him throughout, Russ Reeder, and the basic backing
is by Gene's own Farewell Party Band that now includes former hit-parade
singer Tony Booth and his brother Larry. A good, if unexciting, honky tonk
album this'.
Bob Powel
Country Music People
March 1984
