Gene Watson Discography
'Reflections'
Capitol Records SW11805 (1978)
Gene Watson's 'Reflections' was released (in the USA) on the Capitol Records
label in 1978. The album was subsequently released in the UK & Ireland in
1979, to coincide with Gene Watson's first tour there in June/July (1979).
'Reflections' discography information is presented on this site
for educational purposes only & no infringement of copyright is intended.
About 'Reflections'...
Overview
Gene Watson's 'Reflections' was quite
a successful
album for the artist, yielding a number of hit
singles; 'One sided conversation’, 'Farewell party' & 'Pick the wildwood
flower' all reached the Top 10 of the American (Billboard) country music
charts in late 1978 & early 1979.
'Reflections' also gained a release in the United Kingdom & Ireland in June
1979. This release coincided with Gene Watson’s first tour there in
June-July of that year, during which he undertook an extensive eighteen-date
itinerary.
'Reflections' is a gentle collection of country music & features tracks that
had been selected with great care. Gene Watson has always had an enviable
knack of acquiring the most perfect material for his album releases & he
excelled himself with the release of 'Reflections'.
'Reflections' includes Gene's stellar rendition of 'Farewell party', a
highly emotional suicide saga of unrequited love. 'Farewell party' would
later become Gene’s signature tune & the name of his touring band of
musicians.
'Reflections' also includes the track ‘Pick the wildwood flower’. Although
written by songwriter Joe Allen, the song appears to be slightly
autobiographical in nature as it is the only song in Gene’s country music
repertoire that actually mentions his first name, which is Gary. This song
cleverly lets us into the private life of Gene Watson, at least for the
track's duration.
'Reflections' was produced by Russ Reeder
& was recorded at Jack Clement Studios, Nashville
(Recording Engineer:
Jim Williamson).
'Reflections' achieved a chart position of No.23
on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart in 1978.
'Reflections'
Capitol Records SW11805 (1978)
Track Listing
1 'One sided conversation'
Written by Joe Allen
Published by Joe Allen Music Inc. / BMI
2 'Take off them shoes' *
Written by Joe Dougherty & Tom Ghent
Published by Treaty of Ghent Publishing / ASCAP
3 'Farewell party'
••
¹
Written by Lawton Williams RIP
Published by Western Hills Music Inc. / BMI
4 'Let's give it up or get it on'
Written by Joe Allen
Published by Joe Allen Music Inc. / BMI
5 'For the memories'
Written by Joe Allen
Published by Tree Publishing Company Inc. / BMI
6 'I wonder how it is in Colorado'
* •
Written by Joe Allen
Published by Tree Publishing Company Inc. / BMI
7 'Pick the wildwood flower'
Written by Joe Allen
Published by Tree Publishing Company Inc. / BMI
8 'I know what it's like in her arms'
Written by Lola Jean Dillon
Published by Coal Miners Music Inc. / BMI
9 'Mama sold roses' *
Written by Dallas Harms
Published by Double Play Music / BMI
10 'I don't know how to tell her (she
don't love me anymore)' **
Written by B. Fischer and Sonny Throckmorton
Published by Starburst Music / Tree Publishing Company Inc. /
ASCAP / BMI
'Take off them shoes', 'I wonder how it is in Colorado' & 'Mama sold roses'
(tracks indicated thus *)
feature the Jordanaires (Louis Nunley, Gordon Stoker, Hoyt Hawkins & Neal
Matthews) on background vocals.
Louis Nunley & Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires graciously submitted a joint
quote for the 'Peers' section of the Gene Watson
Fan Site &
you can read their words about Gene Watson here.
'I don't know how to tell her (she don't love me anymore)' (track indicated
thus **) features the Nashville
Edition, with Janie Fricke on background vocals.
Janie Fricke graciously submitted a quote for the 'Peers'
section of the Gene Watson Fan Site on Monday 27 August 2007 & you can read
Janie's words
about Gene Watson here.
A re-recorded version of 'I wonder how it is in Colorado' (track indicated
thus •) can be found on 'Gene
Watson: Then & Now' (Koch Records Nashville, 2005).
Fellow country stars Alan Jackson &
Joe Nichols (both admirers of Gene
Watson) honoured Gene with their tasteful renditions of 'Farewell
party' (track indicated thus
••); Alan Jackson recorded the song (with Paul Franklin on steel)
& included the track on his
(country 'covers' album) 'Under the Influence' (Arista
Records, 1999), while
Joe Nichols included the
track on ‘Revelation’ (Universal South Records, 2004).
Joe Nichols also recorded Gene Watson's 'Should I come home (or should I go
crazy)' & included the track on 'Joe Nichols III' (Universal South Records,
2005).
When contacted by Sean Brady at the Gene Watson Fan Site for inclusion in
the 'Peers' section of the Gene Watson Fan Site, Joe
Nichols
graciously submitted a quote about Gene Watson on Wednesday 23 August 200
& you can read Joe's words about Gene Watson
here.
'Farewell
party' (track indicated
thus ¹) was recorded by Waylon
Jennings & included on 'Just to Satisfy You' (RCA Victor, 1969).
On Tuesday 27 January 2009, 'Reflections' (Capitol Records, 1978) was released by Hux Records (London, England) as a
special 2-on-1 CD, along with 'Should I Come Home' (Capitol Records, 1979).
'Reflections'
Capitol Records SW11805 (1978)
Musician Credits
Rhythm Guitar & Lead Guitar: Harold Bradley
Steel Guitar: Lloyd Green
Piano: Hargus 'Pig' Robbins
Drums: Kenneth Malone
Rhythm & Acoustic Guitar: David Kirby (RIP)
Bass: Joe Allen
Electric Guitar: Dale Sellers
Fiddle: Norman 'Buddy' Spicher & Tommy Williams
Electric Guitar & Lead Guitar: Jimmy Colvard
Background Vocals: 'The Nashville Edition' (Hurshel Wiginton, Wendellyn
Suits, Joseph Babcock & Dolores Edgin) & Janie Fricke