Gene Watson’s
gone and done it again. While his contemporaries
struggle with the pop/country debate, he quietly and effortlessly demonstrates how to stay
in the running without compromising your country music integrity.Gene Watson: From The Heart
Gene Watson’s
gone and done it again. While his contemporaries
struggle with the pop/country debate, he quietly and effortlessly demonstrates how to stay
in the running without compromising your country music integrity.
Gene’s always had the uncanny ability of
being able to
balance his classic traditional country sound while recording an array of music styles from the
Latin flavored ‘Carmen’, pain-filled ballads
Farewell Party, the sultry Nothing Sure Looks Good On You and Love In The Hot
Afternoon and the pure honky tonk of Memories To Burn.
Although coming off of a rough couple of years, having been diagnosed and treated for cancer, and having, in fact, even recorded parts of the album while in the throws of chemotherapy treatments, Gene sounds as good, if not better than he ever has.
With a tally of no less
than five greatest hits albums in his career one can easily
surmise that Gene Watson knows how to select and deliver first-rate songs and his new project is
no exception.
Included in the roster of songs are contributions from some of industry’s finest songwriters, destined to be country music classics. The lead radio single from the project is the haunting, aching 'Next to Nothin', co-penned by RMG label mate, Steve Dean (Round About Way -George Strait, Walk On - Reba) along with Will Nance and Mac Vickery. and multi-talented songwriter Leslie Satcher’s talent continues to be demonstrated as she along with co-writer Max T. Barnes, contributes the superlative 'The Way I Look At You' to the project. The song seems tailor made for Gene as he proves once again that he is not only the epitome of a singer’s singer.
'The Circus That You Call A Rodeo' (Eddy Raven/Monty Holmes/Michael Huffman) is an up-tempo number that's sure to to be a dancehall favorite. Country music radio would do well by giving this one a serious chance.
Those who’ve had the good fortune to see Gene perform live will be thrilled to see the addition of two well known country classics. Gene puts claims on a Lefty Frizzell classic with a flawless version of 'I Never Go Around Mirrors'. The poignant lament of lost love, Gene unquestionably makes the song his, so much so that it's impossible to imagine anyone else singing it. The same could be said for 'Take Me As I Am', previously recorded by an eclectic mix of artists, ranging from Bob Dylan to Little Jimmy Dickens to Ray Price, Willie Nelson and George Jones.
When it's all said and
done, the legendary Texas balladeer's latest
project, 'From the Heart', is steeped with pure country fiddles and steel guitars,
with a solid touch of sophistication that only Gene Watson can carry off.
Laurie Joulie Take Country Back September 2001
You can purchase Gene's latest CD from CDNOW
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