‘Reflections’
Capitol Records ST-11805 (1978)
Capitol Records SN-16304 (1978) (re-issue)
Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections’ was released, in the United States, by Capitol Records on Monday 14 August 1978; the album was subsequently released in the United Kingdom & Ireland in 1979, to coincide with Gene Watson’s first tour of England, Scotland and Ireland in June / July 1979.
Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections’ discography information is presented on the Gene Watson Fan Site for educational purposes only and no infringement of copyright is intended.
About Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections’…
Overview
‘Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections’ was quite a successful album for the artist, yielding a number of hit singles; ‘One Sided Conversationâ, ‘Farewell Party’ and ‘Pick The Wildwood Flower’ all reached the Billboard Top 10 country music singles chart in late 1978 and early 1979.
Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections’ also gained a release in England and Ireland in June 1979.
This release coincided with Gene Watsonâs first tour there in June & July of that year, during which he undertook an extensive eighteen-date itinerary.
Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections’ is a gentle collection of country music and 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 and he excelled himself with the release of ‘Reflections’.
Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections’ includes Gene Watson’s stellar rendition of ‘Farewell Party’, a highly emotional suicide saga of unrequited love.
‘Farewell Party’ would later become Gene Watsonâs signature tune and the name of his touring band of musicians.
Gene Watson’s ‘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 Geneâs country music repertoire that actually mentions his first name, which is Gary.
‘Pick The Wildwood Flower’ (written by Joe Allen) cleverly lets us into the private life of Gene Watson, at least for the track’s duration’.
Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections’ was produced by Russ Reeder and was recorded at ‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement (Sunday 5 April 1931 – Thursday 8 August 2013) Studios in Nashville (Recording Engineer: Jim Williamson).
Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections’ reached No.23 on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart in 1978, and No.14 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 1978.
‘Reflections’
Capitol Records ST-11805 (1978)
Capitol Records SN-16304 (1978) (re-issue)
1 ‘One Sided Conversation’
Writer: Joe Allen
Publishers: Joe Allen Music Inc. / BMI
Gene Watson re-recorded ‘One Sided Conversation’ (written by Joe Allen) and included the track on ‘Best of the Best: 25 Greatest Hits‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2012).
2 ‘Take Off Them Shoes’
Writers: Joe Dougherty and Tom Ghent
Publishers: Treaty of Ghent Publishing / ASCAP
‘Take Off Them Shoes’ (written by Joe Dougherty and Tom Ghent) featured The Jordanaires on background vocals
The Jordanaires
Louis Nunley (Thursday 15 October 1931 – Friday 26 October 2012)
Gordon Stoker (Sunday 3 August 1924 – Wednesday 27 March 2013)
Hoyt Hawkins (Thursday 31 March 1927 – 1982)
Neal Matthews (Saturday 26 October 1929 – Friday 21 April 2000)
3 ‘Farewell Party’
Writer: Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007)
Publishers: Western Hills Music Inc. / BMI
In 1960, Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007) recorded ‘Farewell Party’, as the ‘B’ side of ‘Mama Doll’ (written by Lawton Williams), for Fort Worth, Texas-based Le Bill Records.
Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015) recorded ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007) in 1961; the track, which was the ‘B’ side of Little Jimmy Dickens‘ ‘Talking To The Wall’ single on Columbia Records (catalogue number: 4-42013), with Walter Haynes on steel guitar, was recorded on Thursday 2 February 1961 at Bradley Film & Recording Studio in Nashville.
Little Jimmy Dickens‘ recording of ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007) was subsequently included on ‘Out Behind The Barn’ (Bear Family Records, 1998).
Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020) recorded ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), and included the track on ‘Sound of A Heartache’ (Stop Records, 1967).
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), and included the track on ‘Just To Satisfy You’ (RCA Victor Records, 1969).
Alan Jackson recorded ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), and included the track on ‘Under The Influence’ (Arista Records, 1999), his album of country music ‘covers’.
Joe Nichols recorded ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), and included the track on âRevelationâ (Universal South Records, 2004).
Heidi Hauge recorded ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), and included the track on ‘Country Jewels’ (Showtime Records, 2004).
Gene Watson re-recorded ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), and included the track on ‘Best of the Best: 25 Greatest Hits‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2012).
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out recorded ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), and included the track on ‘Timeless Hits From The Past Bluegrassed’ (Cracker Barrell, 2012).
Ike Jonson & Roadhouse Rangers recorded ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), and included the track on ‘Same Old Town’ (Roadhouse Records, 2015).
On Friday 26 April 2019, Erin Enderlin saw the release of ‘Chapter One: I Don’t Give A Damn’ (Black Crow Productions / Blaster Records, 2019), a 3-track extended play (EP) disc; one of the included tracks was ‘Tonight I Don’t Give A Damn’, which referenced Gene Watson‘s ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007) / Gene Watson‘s recording of ‘Farewell Party’ reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979, and No.9 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1979
Erin Enderlin‘s ‘Tonight I Don’t Give A Damn’ was subsequently included on Erin Enderlin‘s ‘Faulkner County’ (Black Crow Productions, 2019).
4 ‘Let’s Give It Up Or Get It On’
Writer: Joe Allen
Publishers: Joe Allen Music Inc. / BMI
5 ‘For The Memories’
Writer: Joe Allen
Publishers: Tree Publishing Company Inc. / BMI
Paddy O’Brien recorded ‘For The Memories’ (written by Joe Allen) and included the track on ‘Golden Moments’ (A-One Music, 1995).
6 ‘I Wonder How It Is In Colorado’
Writer: Joe Allen
Publishers: Tree Publishing Company Inc. / BMI
‘I Wonder How It Is In Colorado’ (written by Joe Allen) featured The Jordanaires on background vocals.
The Jordanaires
Louis Nunley (Thursday 15 October 1931 – Friday 26 October 2012)
Gordon Stoker (Sunday 3 August 1924 – Wednesday 27 March 2013)
Hoyt Hawkins (Thursday 31 March 1927 – 1982)
Neal Matthews (Saturday 26 October 1929 – Friday 21 April 2000)
Gene Watson re-recorded ‘I Wonder How It Is In Colorado’ (written by Joe Allen) and included the track on ‘Gene Watson: Then & Now‘ (Koch Records Nashville, 2005).
7 ‘Pick The Wildwood Flower’
Writer: Joe Allen
Publishers: Tree Publishing Company Inc. / BMI
Gene Watson re-recorded ‘Pick The Wildwood Flower’ (written by Joe Allen) and included the track on ‘Best of the Best: 25 Greatest Hits‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2012).
8 ‘I Know What It’s Like In Her Arms’
Writer: Lola Jean Dillon
Publishers: Coal Miners Music Inc. / BMI
Lola Jean Dillon recorded ‘I Know What It’s Like In Her Arms’ (as ‘I Know What It’s Like In His Arms’) (written by Lola Jean Dillon) and included the track on ‘Lola Jean Dillon Sings Songs She Wrote’ (Cabin Records, 1974).
9 ‘Mama Sold Roses’
Writer: Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019)
Publishers: Double Play Music / BMI
‘Mama Sold Roses’ featured The Jordanaires on background vocals
The Jordanaires
Louis Nunley (Thursday 15 October 1931 – Friday 26 October 2012)
Gordon Stoker (Sunday 3 August 1924 – Wednesday 27 March 2013)
Hoyt Hawkins (Thursday 31 March 1927 – 1982)
Neal Matthews (Saturday 26 October 1929 – Friday 21 April 2000)
10 ‘I Don’t Know How To Tell Her (She Don’t Love Me Anymore)’
Writers: Bobby Fischer and Sonny Throckmorton
Publishers: Starburst Music / Tree Publishing Company Inc. / ASCAP / BMI
‘I Don’t Know How To Tell Her (She Don’t Love Me Anymore)’ (written by Bobby Fischer and Sonny Throckmorton) featured Nashville Edition, with Janie Fricke on background vocals.
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded ‘I Don’t Know How To Tell Her (She Don’t Love Me Anymore)’ (written by Bobby Fischer and Sonny Throckmorton) and included the track on ‘Free & Easy’ (MCA Records, 1980).
Tony Booth recorded ‘I Don’t Know How To Tell Her (She Don’t Love Me Anymore)’ (written by Bobby Fischer and Sonny Throckmorton) and included the track on ‘The Other Side of Love’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2010).
On Tuesday 27 January 2009, England’s Hux Records released Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978), along with Gene Watson’s ‘Should I Come Home‘ (Capitol Records, 1979), as a special 2-for-1 CD set.
‘Reflections’
Capitol Records ST-11805 (1978)
Capitol Records SN-16304 (re-issue)
Personnel involved in the recording of Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections’ (Capitol Records, 1978) included the following:
Harold Bradley (Saturday 2 January 1926 – Thursday 31 January 2019) (rhythm guitar, lead guitar)
Lloyd Green (Sho-Bud LDG steel guitar)
Hargus âPigâ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano)
Kenneth Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (drums)
Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) (rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar)
Joe Allen (bass)
Dale Sellers (electric guitar)
Buddy Spicher and Tommy Williams (fiddle)
Jimmie Colvard (1943 – 1977) (electric guitar, lead guitar)
‘The Nashville Edition’: Hurshel Wayne Wiginton (Saturday 29 January 1938 – Monday 6 March 2017), Wendellyn Suits, Joseph Babcock and Dolores Edgin, and Janie Fricke (background vocals)