Gene Watson Offers a Taste of Traditional Country
If you've never heard Gene Watson sing, you are missing out on one of country music's most expressive singers. He released 21 Top 10 hits starting in the late 1970s, such "Farewell Party," "Fourteen Carat Mind" and "Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy)." Yet he's still out there playing shows and making superb records. The latest one is A Taste of the Truth, released this week on the Shanachie label. There are a few fun tunes, but I always skip through those to get to the gut-wrenching ballads, like the gloriously remorseful "Till a Better Memory Comes Along" or the magnificently desperate "Use Me Again," which features Alison Krauss on harmony. In addition, Trace Adkins sings on "We've Got a Pulse," but I prefer "Staying Together" with Rhonda Vincent. Don't let the title fool you, though, because the lyrics pull no punches: "Staying together don't mean it ain't over." If you're miserable in your marriage, here's your song. I saw Watson perform for the first time earlier this year when he opened a concert for Brad Paisley near Memphis. I was surrounded by puzzled fans, but Paisley's endorsement goes a long way in my book. George Jones, Joe Nichols and Lee Ann Womack have all praised Watson as one of their favorite country singers, too. I agree completely.
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Leeann says:
I really like his In A Perfect World album, so need to grab this one and others of his too. Thanks for the reminder. I love the reason Brad Paisley invited Watson to do a show with him though, because the local paper had said that “Brad Paisley was no Gene Watson”. So, the next time he went back there, he brought the man himself.:) That’s a good sport.
June says:
I have the new CD now and I totally agree with this writer. I love those incredible heartbreak songs by the man they call the Fourteen Carat Voice. Gene’s Til A Better Memory and Staying Together are what country music is all about. Gene’s voice is so intense -I miss that on today’s radio. Use to get that when radio played Vince Gill regularly. So glad the master, Gene Watson, is still making impeccable music.
Grasscutter says:
What an outstanding review of THE BEST country singer out there. He will NEVER be beat by any other singer. Not only does Gene sing great, he treats his fans asif they are the only people that matter. I think this new CD is another example of that voice that still performs every time.
I don’t listen to any other singer but the GREAT GENE WATSON
Sue Lawhorn says:
My favorite country singer since the late 1970’s, the great GENE WATSON,is still making music like no one else can - they don’t even come close. He is the best there is. Why he hasn’t been recognized by the music industry and why radio refuses to play his songs is beyond me. I’ll continue to buy his new albums & go to his concerts when I get the chance. He is so warm & friendly to his fans. He is so sincere and down to earth. Love Gene! Love his 14 Caret Voice!
MorningStar says:
Thank you for a great review of the greatest singer there is. There is no one that can top that incredible voice. Love everything he sings!!
genewatsonsongs says:
If you are a true country music fan then Gene Watson should be top of your list, this man has been around a long time but is still considered by his peers and fans as the best pure country voice on the planet, he deserves the credit for his talent and attitude to his music, and to his many fans throughout the world.
This new release “A Taste Of The Truth” is exceptional and the inclusion of the major artists and musicians sum up the regard and respect within the industry in which Gene Watson performs
Mitzi12 says:
When you’re talking “Country Music” you’re talking GENE WATSON - Don’t give me those young hip swinging kids trying to sing what is called COUNTRY MUSIC- Gene Watson has the most genuine voice for country music-We,his fans will continue to support him at his concerts & continue purchasing his CDs - He can hold the whole audience in “awe”from the time he begins his concerts til the end-The emotions that he puts in the songs he sings is so genuine-Thank you Gene Watson for giving me the pleasure of listening to your GREAT VOICE-
Mitzi
Sean Brady says:
With the release of his new album ‘A Taste of the Truth’, Gene Watson has done it again. He, along with his impeccable producer Dirk Johnson, has produced an aural masterpiece that easily outshines his previous album.
Not that ‘In a Perfect World’ from 2007 should be considered inferior, it just that Gene continues to astound us with every album he takes the care to release.
And ‘A Taste of the Truth’ is easily the finest country music album to be released in 2009. Gene has selected his material with great care, the musicians he works with are those he admires most and he has given us an album that defines the true essence of what country music means to real people.
Try ‘A Taste of the Truth’ for yourself; you will not be disappointed with its mix of real, fun & heart-wrenching country music. Marvel at the mouthwatering guests Rhonda Vincent, Trace Adkins & Alison Krauss who add their expressive & distinctive vocals talents to the album.
I love Gene Watson & his music; as far as the real, traditional country music genre is concerned, Gene Watson is a guiding light.
Many artists (I won’t mention any names!) should listen immediately to ‘A Taste of the Truth’ & head back to the drawing board where their own music is concerned!
GARYGENEWATSON says:
Thanks CMT for the wonderful review on the greatest singer ever,and thank you Mr. Gene Watson for such an incredible cd.You really nailed it this time as you always seem to do everytime.Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. Judy
NAN says:
WOW! What a great CD! This is country music at its finest. Gene Watson has never put out a bad album, but this is one of his best, I believe. There is no one who puts more emotion into a song than Gene. If you have never been to a Gene Watson concert, GO,GO,GO! You will not be disappointed. Not only is he a great singer, he is a true gentleman. Thank you CMT and Mr. Shelburne for the nice review, and thank you, Gene, for staying true to country music.
ELPasoLady says:
Hi Craig, thanks for the great review of Gene Watson’s “A Taste Of the Truth” CD…
& Yes, I agree with everything you said about Gene’s latest release (same goes for ANY of his releases) Gene puts his heart & soul into those “gut-wrenching ballads” that he sings so beautifully, just have a listen to “Til A Better Memory Comes Along” & you’ll see what I mean!!…With Gene, his fans know what they’ll get from their “Hero” will be without fail 100% “Country” he has stayed true to that tradition over all these years & he knows exactly the type of songs his fans love to hear him sing & he has NEVER let us down & “A Taste Of the Truth” is another winner for him, thanks again Gene for another GREAT album.
Heather (Northern Ireland)
KEEP IT GENE WATSON & HIS FAREWELL PARTY BAND COUNTRY!!!
Redmaz says:
.A good effort by Gene Watson. His voice is no doubt up there in a league with Frizzell, Haggard, Jones, and Gosdin. Good to see he covered a Haggard and a Camp tune, so there is an element of Americana/Roots to it. My complaint is the production. In my opinion it’s overproduced to the point of taking something away from Gene’s vocals.. I would’ve liked it more if it were stripped down,, and played basically live as a band, more in the line of what Haggard,, Kristofferson, Helm, Earle, and Nelson are doing. Overall a good Country album.. To “Sue”, you asked why radio won’t play his music? I assume you mean Pop radio? There is a possibility that Roots radio will play it, but Pop Country radio cannot make any money off Gene Watson, and Pop Country fans don’t want to hear this type of music on their radio. This music is not marketable. Simple as that. No matter how good it is…
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Joann says:
Gene Watson.One of the best singers of all time.My husband
and I both really like listening to sing and have some of his CDs.To bad these young ones coming up don’t take a lesson from him.