Gene Watson's 'Memories to Burn and Starting New Memories' (Hux Records, 2011)
'Memories to Burn and Starting New Memories'
Hux Records HUX124 (2011)
'Memories to Burn and Starting New Memories' (2-on-1) was released by Hux Records (in the UK and Ireland) on Monday 9 May 2011; the CD set was released worldwide on Tuesday 17 May 2011.
This special CD brings together two pivotal albums from Gene Watson's brief but extraordinary time with Epic Records; 'Memories to Burn' (Epic Records, 1985) and 'Starting New Memories' (Epic Records, 1986).
'Memories to Burn and Starting New Memories' (2-on-1) discography information is presented on the Gene Watson Fan Site for educational purposes only and no infringement of copyright is intended.
'Memories to Burn and Starting New Memories'
Hux Records HUX124 (2011)
Sleeve Notes
Alan Cackett of the UK's Maverick Country Magazine
'Gene Watson is one of country music's all-time finest singers and performers, right up there with George Jones, Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 - Tuesday 28 April 2009), Merle Haggard, Charley Pride, Alan Jackson and George Strait as a classic interpreter of traditional country music.
There was a time, some twenty-five years ago, when Gene was the lone torch carrier for solid traditional Texas honky-tonk music. While other artists were drowning the music in lavish strings and getting all dressed up like Urban Cowboys, he was quietly going about his business of performing the real thing.
Born in Palestine, Texas, on October 11, 1943, Gene is one of seven children of a sawmill worker and crop picker. He was raised in Paris, Texas in a musical family and played his first professional gig at the age of 13. He quit school in the 9th grade to help support his family and married his wife, Mattie Louise, at age 17.
In 1963, he moved to Houston where he found daytime employment in car engine and bodywork repairs. During the evenings, his vocal style, with its slight nasal sound in the best country tradition, made him a very popular honky-tonk singer around the local clubs.
He recorded for several small independent labels including Reeder (whose owner Russ Reeder went on to become his manager and producer), Wide World and Stoneway before joining the Resco label in 1974. This resulted in his first bona fide country hit with the steamy, 'Love In The Hot Afternoon', the following year.
When Capitol Records picked him up in 1975, he gained more nationwide attention with 'Where Love Begins' and 'You Could Know As Much About A Stranger'. But those Top 10 singles didn't fill the four hours per night he performed in clubs. He used a host of songs others made popular and put his own twist on them.
The strength and indeed the justification of an interpretative performer is twofold; firstly, can he impress upon or draw out a new range of meaning and possibilities from any given song; secondly, does he have a personality as an artist that runs through and transcends the chosen material. On both counts, Gene Watson has always succeeded supremely well, redefining the songs he selects. It's not something all singers are able to do.
'My singing comes from reaching down and doing it my way', Gene says. 'I sing a song because I love the song. I love the song so much I feel I need to let the audience enjoy it, but I still put the Gene Watson stamp on it'.
One of the most pleasing developments in country music in the mid-1970s was the appearance of traditional-sounding country singers who didn't feel bound to prove themselves by writing their own material. Three singers that emerged in this guise that always spring to mind for the care with which they chose their material and the individuality which they brought to it and the success of their achievements were Moe Bandy, Mel McDaniel (Sunday 6 September 1942 - Thursday 31 March 2011) and Gene Watson.
Once Gene had joined the major label merry-go-round, the honky-tonk inspired traditionalist proved to be a quiet, but consistent hit-maker. He scored top ten hits with such classics as 'Paper Rosie', 'I Don't Need A Thing At All', 'One Sided Conversation', 'Pick The Wildwood Flower' (a song he says is as biographical as any of his tunes gets), 'Nothing Sure Looked Good On You', 'Fourteen Carat Mind' (his 1982 chart topper) and a revival of 'Farewell Party' (his signature tune and the name of his road band).
It would be easy to take the man and his music for granted, but that is the kind of injustice this Texas balladeer has suffered throughout his career.
Every single he released in his heyday should have been a top ten hit, but in reality, such bona fide classics as 'Maybe I Should Have Been Listening', 'Bedroom Ballad', 'One Hell Of A Heartache', 'Carmen', 'Honky Tonk Crazy' and 'You Can't Take It With You When You Go', were shunned by country radio and were quite lowly chart entries. Throughout his career, his album sales have been steady, rather than spectacular. There are no gold or platinum discs sitting on the Watson mantelpiece, but plenty of glowing endorsements from press and fans alike.
Over the years, Gene Watson has released the kind of classic country albums that put today's greats such as Alan Jackson and George Strait in the shade, and are easily the equal of anything George Jones and Merle Haggard have released. What he has always lacked has been the kind of aggressive management team to shake things up, along with his own laidback, quiet approach that hardly makes headline news.
But Gene has survived enough fads to know not to follow them. 'Oh, man, I've come through everything - the pop-country thing, the rhinestone cowboys, the Outlaw movement', he declares. 'But I never altered my style. I just sing good country music and try to give fans their money's worth'.
There are people who sing songs...and then there are singers' singers. Gene Watson is in that elite class. He not only possesses a potent set of pipes, but an unerring song sense. Songs that he originally recorded many years ago as album tracks have since resurfaced as hits for others, songs such as 'Cold Day In July' (1980), 'The Note' (1985) and 'The Great Divide' (1989).
In 1981, after moving from Capitol to MCA Records, his recording of 'Fourteen Carat Mind' gave him his first US country number 1. This was his most consistent period with a run of eight consecutive top ten hits, including such classic traditional country numbers as 'Speak Softly (You're Talking To My Heart)', 'You're Out Doing What I'm Here Doing Without' and 'What She Don't Know Won't Hurt Her'.
When his contract with MCA Records ran its course in 1985, Gene Watson moved over to Epic Records and with his second single, 'Memories To Burn', he was back in the top ten.
Now the first two albums he recorded for Epic, 'Memories to Burn' (1985) and 'Starting New Memories' (1986) have been made available on CD. Both were co-produced by Gene Watson and Larry Booth and feature his then current Farewell Party Band members augmented by top Nashville session players and backing vocalists.
Both albums are well within the mainstream of Nashville's music. But Watson has the ability to transcend that cloying sentimentality which so often seems to be endemic to country music.
The best known song to British country music fans on 'Memories to Burn' is without doubt 'Carmen', a hauntingly beautiful Mexican-flavoured tune with a sweeping, waltz-like rhythm and agile Spanish guitar strumming. Over the years, this song has become a staple for many of the country bands that tread the boards of the British country music clubs, but none of those versions come close to matching the Watson original.
At the last count, I had eight different versions of 'The Note', but the definitive one remains this one by Gene Watson. Hearing it again after all these years, it's an instant reminder of the depth, strength and power of his timeless voice - a stone country voice that does justice to the lyric as pain turns to resignation.
Canadian Dallas Harms, who provided Gene with 'Paper Rosie', 'The Old Man And His Horn' and 'Mama Sold Roses', contributed 'Get Along Little Doggie', a more light-hearted song, but it's the sad ballads of heartache, rejection and regret that are Gene Watson's forte and this collection is full of them.
Gene had long been a big fan of Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 - Wednesday 8 December 1982). Early in his career, he recorded a superb version of Marty's 'You Gave Me A Mountain' and the opening song of 'Starting New Memories' is 'Completely Out Of Love', a more recent Robbins song. The fact Gene was able to bring a new depth of meaning to this song speaks volumes about his talent.
Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 - Wednesday 8 December 1982) recorded 'You Gave Me A Mountain' and included the track on 'It's A Sin' (Columbia Records, 1969).
Even more impressive is 'Bottle Of Tears', possibly the most soulful and emotional performance I've ever heard by him. He effects a personal influence on the Joe Allen composition as he has done on previous albums.
Charlie Craig (1938 - Friday 1 July 2011) and Keith Stegall
In addition to the tunes mentioned, I could not pass by his lyrical and lilting interpretation of Keith Stegall and Charlie Craig's 'Atlanta Anymore', his gently moody version of 'Take It From Me' or the sensitive 'Everything I Used To Do'.
Gene Watson's sexy tenor remains one of country music's finest voices. Today's country music needs to embrace this. Why? Because - unlike Strait, McGraw, Jackson and Chesney - this is music of the soul, not the wallet. A true musician does not care about how much money they make, they want a gig and a guitar.
He compares himself to an old-fashioned doctor, who was always on call. He and his Farewell Party Band pack up and go without much notice. 'We work the year round, whenever people want us. We try to be there, unless I get too tired or too beat up', he says.
A somewhat quietly spoken Texan, he is not one to roll off a list of his achievements. He's never had ambitions to be a big superstar and he gets quite embarrassed when his fans or peers pay him compliments.
He is genuinely humbled that singers like Vince Gill, Mark Chesnutt, Alan Jackson and Lee Ann Womack all cite him as a major influence. 'It's a huge thing in my music career and to have someone touched so strongly my my music makes me feel awfully good', he says.
'I'm thrilled and flattered for all the compliments I get from everybody but I don't do compliments that well. But actually it's fun for me to sing and it's really not that much effort. I sing from my heart and what I do is invariably sing songs the way I feel them and hopefully the way they turn out is good and I'm grateful for all the accolades'.
'Memories to Burn and Starting New Memories'
Hux Records HUX124 (2011)
Sleeve Notes
Alan Cackett of the UK's Maverick Country Magazine
Hux thanks: Gene Watson, Sean Brady, Grant McLennan, Alan Cackett and Dave Barnes
This compilation © 2011 Hux Records Ltd
All tracks licensed courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited
Overview
'The albums are presented as a special 2-on-1 single CD set, complete with comprehensive liner notes, the original artwork from the vinyl releases and full track details.
The original 'Memories to Burn' album (Epic Records BFE 40076, 1985) was produced and mixed by Gene Watson and Larry Booth in 1985 at the Hilltop Studios in Nashville and the Recording Engineer was Randy Best.
The original 'Starting New Memories' album (Epic Records FE-40306, 1986) was produced and mixed by Gene Watson and Larry Booth in 1986 at the Hilltop Studio in Nashville and the Recording Engineer was Randy Best.
'Memories to Burn and Starting New Memories'
Hux Records HUX124 (2011)
1 'Memories To Burn'
Writers: Warren Robb and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 - Saturday 17 April 2004)
Publishers: BMI / ASCAP
Leona Williams recorded 'Memories To Burn' and included the track on 'Honorary Texan' (Heart of Texas Records, 2003).
Gene Watson re-recorded 'Memories To Burn' and included the track on 'Best of the Best: 25 Greatest Hits' (Fourteen Carat Music, 2012).
2 'The Note'
Writers: Buck Moore and Michelle Ray
Publishers: Sixteen Stars Music / BMI
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998) recorded 'The Note' and included the track on 'Next to You' (Epic Records, 1989).
Doug Supernaw recorded 'The Note' and included the track on 'You Still Got Me' (Giant Records, 1995).
Daryle Singletary recorded 'The Note' and included the track on 'Ain't it the Truth' (Giant Records, 1998).
3 'Cold Summer Day In Georgia'
Writers: D. Knutson and Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens
Publishers: BMI / ASCAP
'Cold Summer Day In Georgia' was included, for the first time on CD, on Gene Watson's 'Ultimate Collection' (Universal/Hip-O Records, 2001).
'Cold Summer Day In Georgia' features backing vocals from Leona Williams (Merle Haggard's ex-wife), along with exquisite guitar work from Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 - Saturday 17 April 2004).
Dave Kirby passed away on Saturday 17 April 2004 - he was 63 years old. Dave, a native of Brady in Texas, where he was born on Sunday 10 July 1938, was a masterful songwriter and had the privilege of having twenty four of his compositions recorded by Gene Watson.
4 'If I Painted A Picture'
Writers: L. Williams and C. Browder
Publishers: BMI / ASCAP
5 'I Want My Rib Back'
Writers: Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 - Tuesday 9 May 1989) and Fred Koller
Publishers: BMI
'I Want My Rib Back', which was co-written by Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 - Tuesday 9 May 1989) and Fred Koller, was recorded by Keith Whitley in the early 1980s. However, the track didn't see the light of day until after Keith Whitley's death, on Tuesday 9 May 1989. Keith Whitley's version of 'I Want My Rib Back' was included on 'Kentucky Bluebird' (RCA Records, 1991).
Kenny Chesney recorded 'I Want My Rib Back' and included the track on 'In My Wildest Dreams' (Capricorn Records, 1994).
Charlie Sizemore recorded 'I Want My Rib Back' and included the track on 'In My View' (Rebel Records, 1996).
6 'Carmen'
Writer: Steve Spurgin
Publishers: BMI
Gene Watson re-recorded 'Carmen' and included the track on 'Best of the Best: 25 Greatest Hits' (Fourteen Carat Music, 2012).
7 'Stranger In Our House Tonight'
Writer: Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 - Saturday 17 April 2004)
Publishers: ASCAP
8 'The New York Times'
Writer: Obie Burnett McClinton (Thursday 25 April 1940 - Wednesday 25 September 1987)
Publishers: ASCA
Obie Burnett McClinton, who was born on Thursday 25 April 1940 in Senatobia, Mississippi was a black country music singer and songwriter, the second-youngest child born to Reverend G. A. McClinton, a clergyman and farmer who owned his own 700-acre ranch in Mississippi, not far from Memphis, Tennessee.
Obie listened to Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 - Thursday 1 January 1953) as a child thus sparking his initial interest in country music and subconsciously shaping his singing style. After high school, he ran away from home and headed for San Francisco. However, he only reached Memphis; while there, in a Beale Street shop, he bought his first guitar.
With his travel money gone, Obie returned home; he won a choir scholarship to Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi where he sang in the acappella choir. He graduated in 1966 after four years of study. Soon after, he was drafted into the Army, but as this didn't please him, he volunteered for the Air Force during December 1966.
While in the Armed Forces, Obie McClinton began winning service talent shows and, as a result, he spent a lot of time entertaining and writing rhythm and blues songs; this led to a writing contract from Fame Publishing Company in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Obie remained in the services for four years and after discharge, his original rhythm and blues songs became popular.
James Carr recorded 'Baby You Got Your Mind Messed Up' and 'A Man Needs A Woman', Clarence Carter released 'Why You Can't Measure' and the great Otis Reading cut 'Keep Your Arms Around Me'. Although Obie tried to be an rhythm and blues singer, he was not successful.
While he was in the Air Force, a friend had introduced him to a Charley Pride album and this encouraged him to further his career. He wrote some country songs and then made a demo tape. One day in a hotel, he met an ex-deejay friend of his named Al Bell, who had since become a top executive for Stax Records and Obie played him his demo tape of country songs.
The result of this chance meeting was a recording contract which was signed on Tuesday 12 January 1971 and Obie became the first country music artist on the Stax Country record label, Enterprise Records.
Obie McClinton achieved seven Billboard chart hits on the label between 1972 and 1975, of which the most successful were 'Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You' (which reached the Billboard Top 40 in 1972) and 'My Whole World Is Falling Down' (which reached the Billboard Top 40 in 1973).
After Stax Records went out of business in 1975, Obie McClinton moved over to Mercury Records in 1976 and enjoyed a chart single with 'It's So Good Lovin' You'. For a number of years, Obie relied on his live work and in 1978 Epic Records signed him and released 'Hello, This Is Anna' and 'Natural Love', both of which achieved low chart positions.
In 1979, the song 'Soap' reached the Billboard Top 60. In 1980, Obie moved to Sunbird Records and had a moderate hit with 'Not exactly free', on which he was credited as 'The Chocolate Cowboy'.
George Jones recorded Obie McClinton's 'Ol' George Stopped Drinkin' Today' and included the track on 'Shine On' (Epic Records, 1983).
'Not Exactly Free' was Obie McClinton's last chart record until 1984, when he had a Billboard Top 70 single, 'Honky Tonk Tan', which appeared on the Moon Shine label.
In 1986, Obie McClinton became ill as a result of abdominal cancer; members of the country music community including Ricky Skaggs, Reba McEntire, Exile, Tom T. Hall, Ronnie McDowell, Buddy Killen, Ralph Emery, Billy Deaton, Kathy Mattea, Gatlin Brothers and Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 - Wednesday 13 February 2002) rallied around and put on a star-studded benefit concert to help to defray his medical expenses.
'The Chocolate Cowboy', as he styled himself, was on an upward swing and he had just released a new TV marketed album called 'The Only One' (Epic Records, 1987), which Obie considered his best album.
In 1987, Obie McClinton was once more back on Epic Records with a hit single, 'Turn The Music On', a track from his highly acclaimed 'The Only One' album (Epic Records, 1987), which is considered by many to be his finest release.
Obie Burnett McClinton passed away on Wednesday 25 September 1987 after a year-long battle with abdominal cancer; his death was announced on (the Nashville Network) TNN's 'Nashville Now' show by Ralph Emery.
9 'Speak Of The Devil'
Writer: J. Ewtah
Publishers: ASCAP
10 'Get Along Little Doggie'
Writers: Mark La Forme and Dallas Harms
Publishers: CAPAC/PRO-CAN
11 'Completely Out Of Love'
Writer: Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 - Wednesday 8 December 1982)
Publishers: BMI
12 'Almost Like Having You Here'
Writers: Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 - Saturday 17 April 2004) and Warren Robb
Publishers: ASCAP / BMI
13 'Take It From Me'
Writer: 'Doc James' Shapiro
Publishers: BMI
14 'Sittin' On A Gold Mine'
Writer: B. Moore
Publishers: BMI
15 'Bottle Of Tears'
Writers: Joe Allen, Jimmy Pasquale and D. Lay
Publishers: BMI / ASCAP
16 'Atlanta Anymore'
Writers: Charlie Craig (1938 - Friday 1 July 2011) and Keith Stegall
Publishers: BMI
17 'Starting New Memories Today'
Writers: Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 - Saturday 17 April 2004) and Warren Robb
Publishers: ASCAP / BMI
18 'Everything I Used To Do'
Writer: Ernie Rowell
Publishers: ASCAP
'Everything I Used To Do' was included on Gene Watson's 'Ultimate Collection' (Universal/Hip-O Records, 2001); this was the first time that 'Everything I Used To Do' was released on CD.
19 'I Saved Your Place'
Writer: Steve Spurgin
Publishers: BMI
20 'Rollin' Home'
Writers: Keith Stegall and Brent Mason
Publishers: BMI / ASCAP
Read a CMP Review of 'Memories to Burn and Starting New Memories'
The review, which was written by Duncan Warwick, was published in the June 2011 issue of the United Kingdom monthly publication Country Music People.
'Memories to Burn and Starting New Memories'
Hux Records HUX124 (2011)
Musician Credits on the original 'Memories to Burn' (Epic Records, BFE 40076, 1985)
Gene Watson's Farewell Party Band
Bass: Tony Booth
Steel Guitar: Chris 'Tiny' Olson
Lead Guitar: Daniel T. Rainwater
Lead and Rhythm Guitar: Norm Kastner
Rhythm Guitar: Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 - Saturday 17 April 2004)
Piano: Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 - Friday 14 August 2009)
Drums: Doug Boggs
Fiddle: Hubert 'Hoots' Hester
Background Vocals: Beckie Foster, Joy Gardner and Leona Williams
Musician Credits on the original 'Starting New Memories' (Epic Records, FE-40306, 1986)
Gene Watson's Farewell Party Band
Bass: Tony Booth
Steel Guitar: Chris 'Tiny' Olson
Lead Guitar: Danny Rainwater
Lead and Rhythm Guitar: Norm Kastner
Piano: Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 - Friday 14 August 2009)
Drums: Doug Boggs
Fiddle: Hubert 'Hoot' Hester
Background Vocals: Beckie Foster, Joy Gardner, Ron Drake and Al Henson
Guitar: Dale Sellers, Jimmy Colvard, Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 - Saturday 17 April 2004) and Harold Bradley
Steel: Lloyd Green
Bass: Joe Allen
Drums: Buddy Harman and Kenny Malone
Piano: Hargus 'Pig' Robbins
Fiddle: Buddy Spicher and Tommy Williams
Vocals: Nashville Edition (Joe Babcock, Hurshel Wiginton, Dolores Edgin and Wendy Suits)
On Tuesday 3 December 2002, Hux Records in England released 'Love in the Hot Afternoon' (Capitol Records, 1975), as a special 2-on-1 CD set, along with 'Paper Rosie' (Capitol Records, 1977).
On Monday 26 September 2005, Hux Records in England released 'Because You Believed in Me' (Capitol Records, 1976), as a special 2-on-1 CD set, along with 'Beautiful Country' (Capitol Records, 1978).
On Monday 27 January 2009, Hux Records in England released 'Reflections' (Capitol Records, 1978), as a special 2-on-1 CD set, along with 'Should I Come Home' (Capitol Records, 1979).