Gene Watson

Best of The Best Reviews

“Just when I think country music is a lost art form, something by Gene Watson catches my ear, and I can breathe again.”  Rodney Crowell

“If you’ve never heard of Gene Watson, you are missing out on a master class in how to make a perfect country record, how to pick a great country song, just how it ought to be delivered and should put this album at the top of your shopping list.”   Country Music People   CD of the Month  (5 Stars out of 5)

“Among Nashville’s most notable singers of both past and present.” Turnstyled Junkpiled

“The first thing that jumps out about this collection is Gene’s voice. It is in fine shape and sounds as smooth as ever.”   GAC

“If you don’t have anything by Gene Watson, this is a great place to start. If there are holes in your collection, this will fill some of them. If like me, you have everything Gene has recorded, you’ll still want this album as the sound on this album is terrific.”     My Kind of Country

“The title (of the CD) sums it up perfectly.  The polish and painstaking perfection of this recording has to be admired. There’s not a rough edge in sight, and everything about it is finely crafted and a definite triumph for (Gene) Watson and producer, Dirk Johnson.”      5 out of 5 Stars                    Maverick

 

Other Reviews

Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn: As a singer in a beer joint band, I survived many late night Texas & Oklahoma honky tonks by hosing the rowdies down with a late night Gene Watson song. He’s one of the all time great classic country singers. ‘Got No Reason Now For Going Home’ has a permanent place on my playlist. To this day he is known as a singer’s singer in Nashville. Gene is a special artist. The trail that he forged made it possible for a lot of us to be where we are today. ”

George Jones: “Gene Watson is one of my all-time favorite ballad singers…the way he belts out a ballad, it just doesn’t get any better than that.”

Chris Hillman (The Byrds, Flying Burrito Bros., Desert Rose Band): “Gene Watson’s voice is right up there in the major leagues with George Jones, Vern Gosdin and Lefty Frizzell for pure country Soul. “Gene’s recording of ‘Farewell Party’ is a roadmap for all aspiring singers.”

Lee Ann Womack: “In my dad’s eyes, I hadn’t really made it in the music business until now. I’ve sung with Gene Watson.”

“Gene Watson: One of country’s finest, and most underrated singers.”
USA Today.com

“Like a well-aged whiskey, Gene Watson has gained smoothness yet maintained his visceral bite.” “…gems like 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.”
Associated Press

“On this new collection, (Gene Watson) proves he’s still got it in spades.
Billboard.com

“(Gene Watson)still has the pipes to deliver a subtle honky tonk lament. Never a pretty boy crooner, his voice still has a chipped metallic edge as hard as the cars he used to work on.”
Ken Tucker, NPR’s Fresh Air Radio

“Gene Watson truly belongs on a select list of superb country vocalists, a fabulous stylist whose technical prowess never undermines his earthiness or honesty… Gene Watson’s anguished tone, stark delivery and piercing sound represents the best in pure country vocalizing.” American Songwriter

“In A Perfect World is a stunning reminder of why the Texan is considered one of country’s all-time great balladeers. This is classic hard country, and so is Watson’s understated, straight-to-the-heart singing. Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Joe Nichols, Mark Chesnutt and Connie Smith are on hand to harmonize, but they rightly take a backseat to a master who’s at the top of his game.”
Philadelphia Inquirer

“In A Perfect World, probably the best album I have heard in 2007.”
John Philbert, Country Music People (Five Stars and CD of the Month)

“Whenever country music aficionados discuss the genre’s best traditional male vocalist, Gene Watson’s name is among those that surface. He should be in the Country Music Hall of Fame.”
Maverick Magazine

“What can you say about the most burnished and sensitive male voice on the planet except ‘Listen’? “ (Top Ten Best of 2007)
Edward Morris, CMT.com

“I am drawn to music where the voice is simply another instrument, rather than the one and only thing you’re supposed to notice…An unsung traditionalist gets his due from famous friends on standards and new songs. In a perfect world, the title track would be a classic, too. Can’t beat the harmonies here.” (Top Ten Best of 2007)
Craig Shelburne, CMT.com

GENE WATSON/I Buried Our Love
Magical. The haunting, minor-key melody swirls with atmosphere. By the time this master vocalist swung into the chorus, I was completely enthralled. One of the greatest country songs of the year is in the throat of a man that every country vocalist in this city should bow to. And most of them do.
Robert K. Oermann, Music Row Magazine