Gene Watson has been singing professionally since the late 1950s and has been a country music album recording artist since the late 1960s.
Gene Watson’s contribution to the country music genre is immeasurable.
It is here where you have an opportunity to read a review of Gene Watson’s ‘In Other Words‘ (Canada: Mercury Records / Polygram Records, 1992 / United States: Broadland International Records, 1992), as published in the January 1993 issue of Country Music People.
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Country Music People have long ago nailed its colours to the mast where Gene Watson is concerned.
CMP has rigorously championed Gene Watson’s cause down through the years and have published a number of reviews of his album releases.
All reviews have been reproduced with the kind permission of Country Music People.
‘In Other Words‘ (Canada: Mercury Records / Polygram Records, 1992 / United States: Broadland International Records, 1992)
Country Music People, January 1993
This review of Gene Watson’s ‘In Other Words‘ (Canada: Mercury Records / Polygram Records, 1992 / United States: Broadland International Records, 1992) by Craig Baguley was published in the January 1993 issue of Country Music People, and is reproduced here with the kind permission of the publishers.
Album Review by Craig Baguley
(******* out of 10)
‘A new release from one of my very favourite singers.
Although Gene Watson attempted a major label comeback on Warner Bros. two or three years ago (thanks to signing with Lib Hatcher for management), it was not to be, and the star’s relationship with his then benefactor got caught up in icy words and law suits.
Now, Canadian Gary Buck (Thursday 21 March 1940 – Tuesday 14 October 2003) takes Watson on board and produces an album that, while better than his Warner Brothers releases, still falls short of Gene Watson at his best.
There are some good tracks, notably the delectable Buddy Cannon / John Northrup ballad ‘One & One & One’, but the fact that I prefer the former cut on this song by Shane Barmby (Monday 1 February 1954 – Thursday 27 October 2022) (even though Barmby isn’t half the singer Watson is) may be a pointer to my slight dissatisfaction with this release.
Where Barmby (Monday 1 February 1954 – Thursday 27 October 2022) enjoyed a zestful production, Buck’s is workmanlike rather than spirited; similarly, with the musical backup, which has a limited budget feel despite the presence of great session players like Rob Hajacos, Buddy Emmons (Wednesday 27 January 1937 – Wednesday 29 July 2015), Weldon Wyrick (Monday 10 April 1939 – Monday 2 June 2014) and Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022).
As for Watson’s voice, it’s still marvellous even if it’s lost a little of the old edge, and he remains one of the finest honky tonk balladeers around.
Other prime cuts are Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Dennis Knutson‘s mid-stepper ‘I Don’t Think She’d Really Mind At All’ (with its oh-so-country opening line, ‘I’ve got her right where I don’t want her’) – Dennis Knutson (Tuesday 3 November 1942 – Monday 27 August 2018) – and ‘Winds of Change’, an effective song on the old wife-finds-better-love-outside-home theme.
So, a must for Gene Watson fans, though some-ways from his classic cuts of old’.
Craig Baguley
Country Music People
January 1993
