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 CMP review of Gene Watson's
'Memories to Burn' (MCA Records, 1985), as published in the
July 1983
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.
'Memories to Burn' (Epic Records, 1985)
This review by Bob Powell, which was published in the October 1985 issue of
Country Music People, is reproduced here with the kind permission of the
publishers.
Album Review by Bob Powell
(***** out of 5)
'Gene Watson once said to me that if he was forced to record material he
didn't like, he would refuse, and go back to repairing cars in Texas. Well
the body shops in Texas haven't got a new worker yet, but I bet Gene is just
a little bit nervous after his last single on MCA, reaching only number 43,
and more importantly, his first for Epic, achieving a very poor high of 24.
Sad because this is a very fine album, and the song in question 'Cold summer
day in Georgia' is a very good song. Maybe it should have been truer to
life and called 'Cold summer day in Britain'. Gene and his long-time band
leader Larry Booth produced this album, and among the pickers, and another
band member Larry's brother Tony Booth, once a rising star on Capitol
Records.
As so often seems to be the case lately, Dave Kirby is here represented as a
picker, and a writer with the title track no less, and 'Stranger in our
house tonight', a nice if sad ballad. Canadian
Dallas Harms wrote Gene's
initial biggie 'Paper Rosie', and he is represented here on 'Get along
little doggie', a rather clever song that incorporates the old cowboy
ballad.
My two favourite songs though, are the ballad 'The note' about a 'Dear John'
letter, a sad song that is greatly complimented by another long-time member
of the Farewell Party Band, Tiny Olson, on steel.
The other highlight to me is a much faster number composed by O.B. McClinton
who I never rated as a vocalist, but he wrote a hell of a good song in 'The
New York Times' about a recurring theme in Gene Watson songs, a departed
lady. Gene's got an excellent voice, the production is good and country,
and the songs are of a very high quality. All we need now is a hit'.
Bob Powel
Country Music People
October 1985
