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 'In
Other Words' (Broadland records/Mercury Canada, 1992), as published in the
January 1993
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.
'In Other Words' (Broadland Records/Mercury Canada, 1992)
This CMP review by Craig Baguley, which was published in the January 1993 issue
of Country Music People, is reproduced here with the kind permission of the
publishers.
Album Review by Craig Baguley
(••••••• out of 10)
'A new release from one of my very favourite singers. Although Gene Watson
attempted a major label comeback on Warner Bros. two or three years ago
(thanks to signing with Lib Hatcher for management), it was not to be, and
the star's relationship with his then benefactor got caught up in icy words
and law suits.
Now, Canadian Gary Buck takes Watson on board and produces an album that,
while better than his Warner Brothers releases, still falls short of Gene
Watson at his best. There are some good tracks, notably the delectable
Buddy Cannon/John Northrup ballad 'One and one and one', but the fact that I
prefer the former cut on this song by
Shane Barmby
(even though Barmby isn't
half the singer Watson is) may be a pointer to my slight dissatisfaction
with this release.
Where Barmby enjoyed a zestful production, Buck's is workmanlike rather than
spirited; similarly, with the musical backup, which has a limited budget
feel despite the presence of great session players like Rob Hajacos,
Buddy
Emmons, Weldon Wyrick and Pig Robbins. As for Watson's voice, it's still
marvellous even if it's lost a little of the old edge, and he remains one of
the finest honky tonk balladeers around.
Other prime cuts are Doodle Owens and Dennis Knutson's mid-stepper 'I don't
think she'd really mind at all' (with its oh-so-country opening line, 'I've
got her right where I don't want her'), and 'Winds of change', an effective
song on the old wife-finds-better-love-outside-home theme. So, a must for
Gene Watson fans, though some-ways from his classic cuts of old'.
Craig Baguley
Country Music People
January 1993
