Comments on: Album Review: Gene Watson – In a Perfect World

By: Roger

Roger — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 15:57:23 +0000

while i was familiar with the 3 true classics on this album (great versions) i found the rest of the songs a refreshing change of pace from the rehashed 70’s rock and roll that is current country radio…album of the year? of course not…it has no drum loops or songs about dying children or songs that pander to patriotism for an easy hit….whoever does not like this song that claims to like country music is probably a rascall flatts fan.

By: Paul W Dennis

Paul W Dennis — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 01:33:23 +0000

I finally got a copy of the CD while up in South Carolina (I couldn’t find a copy anywhere in Orlando) and it turns out my original assessment was correct – 4.5 stars with the lack of any uptempo numbers keeping it from being a 5 star effort. No one sings ballads as well as Gene Watson except possibly Ray Price. The album isn’t innovative, merely excellent

By: Hollerin' Ben

Hollerin' Ben — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 08:17:49 +0000

very strong points Paul

By: Paul W Dennis

Paul W Dennis — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 10:38:03 +0000

I think that artistry needs to be appreciated in and of itself. Too many seem to overrate the value of innovation, thinking of it as a goal rather than a means. The concept of innovation is “value-neutral” as innovation can be very bad (think: Hitler, Stalin, Vlad the Impaler) as well as good.

This CD is a clear triumph of the singer’s art. I have WAGONMASTER and it too is good, but this disc will find its way into my changer far more often than the Wagoner disc (and yes I am a Porter Wagoner fan – I have 35 of his vinyl LPs)

By: Brady Vercher

Brady Vercher — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 03:53:56 +0000

“Few country singers should dare take on such chestnuts as Merle Haggard’s “Today I Started Loving You Again,” Wynn Stewart’s “Let Me Be the First to Go” or Buck Owens’ “Together Again,” but Watson gives them all a sweet, late-night reading that stands out…”

It seems like “Today I Started Loving You Again” and “Together Again” have been covered by just about everyone. I only listened to a few tracks on the album so far, but Watson’s interpretation of “Together Again” definitely sounds like the stand out track on the album.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 03:22:51 +0000

Chris makes a good point about the producer. Marty Stuart turned out to be Porter’s “Rick Rubin” for “Wagonmaster.” While a very good producer, Brent Rowan isn’t gonna be confused with ‘out of the mainstream’ (for country) producers.

As for this record, it’s done remarkably well but I can see where someone would call it the best of 2007 and some, like Matt, wouldn’t be trilled by it.

By: Chris N.

Chris N. — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:02:40 +0000

Matt: You are correct, although he would also likely need a patron like Porter had in Marty Stuart. I doubt that, left entirely to his own devices, Porter would have made “Wagonmaster.”

By: Ivana

Ivana — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:21:20 +0000

Matt -Today, I saw it in CountryMusicPeople where it’s the CD of the Month. The critic there wrote “Probably the best album I have heard in 2007″. I’ll have to try to research where else I saw that written but I found this Associated Press critic’s comment (I read it in the San Francisco Chronicle)”Few country singers should dare take on such chestnuts as Merle Haggard’s “Today I Started Loving You Again,” Wynn Stewart’s “Let Me Be the First to Go” or Buck Owens’ “Together Again,” but Watson gives them all a sweet, late-night reading that stands out….(new) gems like “What Was I Thinking?” and “She’s Already Gone” prove Watson can make contemporary songs sound like timeless classics. He’s never sounded better, which is saying something.” Maybe not the best album of 2007 per se, but decidedly a nicer review than your statement of “it’s not worth the money” for which I vehemently disagree with you.
Bottom line: I really appreciate real country music and Gene Watson has delivered just that. I respectfully disagree with your review of the album.

By: Matt C

Matt C — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 22:44:24 +0000

Ivana: where do I have my facts wrong? I’ve read several other reviews of this album and while most of them are more positive than my own, none that I’ve read call it one of the best albums of the year.

Chris: I didn’t like the David Ball and Confederate Railroad albums either. It’s a business model with absolutely no artistry. I’m also not sure that a persistent Gene Watson couldn’t record a more original record, though it may mean pulling a Porter Wagoner and getting far away from the Nashville establishment.

By: Chris N.

Chris N. — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:27:17 +0000

Watson’s label (which has recently released similar albums by David Ball and Confederate Railroad) appears to have established a financial model based on releasing albums of readily recognizable songs performed by readily recognizable — but otherwise unsigned — acts. The sad, sorry fact is that our choice is probably either A.) Gene Watson singing overly familiar covers or B.) Gene Watson not getting to make a record at all.