|
Singer, songwriter, entertainer and
producer can all be attributed to Porter Wagoner, so
Versatile is perfect for the title of his most recent
recording on Gusto Records.
Flamboyantly dressed in rhinestone
studded cowboy suits designed by the famed Nudie Cohen,
Porter Wagoner was a highly popular country music
entertainer in the 1960's and 70's. The Porter Wagoner TV
show was first introduced in 1960 and was one of the most
widely syndicated programs on American television,
sponsored by the Chattanooga Medicine Company.
Along with his band The Wagonmasters
one of the show's main attractions were the duets between
Porter and his female singing partners. The sweet voiced
Norma Jean was duet partner with Wagoner untill 1967 when
Dolly Parton replaced her and stayed with the show untill
1974. In 1957 Porter joined the Grand Ole Opry and can
still be seen on their weekend shows today. Currently
singer Pam Gadd joins Porter on stage at the Opry and
likewise duets with Porter here on three cuts. Pam's voice
sits perfectly with that of the master craftsman, offering
a stylish vocal presentation on "Old
Log Cabin For Sale", "Bury
Me Beneath The Willow" and a song  based
on a true story, "Mary of The
Wild Moor". Another awe-inspiring duet can
be found with John Anderson and Porter opening this collection
with a haunting story-type song about America's own indigenous
people…"Indian Creek"
written by Porter Wagoner.
Porter has written eight of the fourteen
songs here on The Versatile Porter
Wagoner. The descriptive story songs have always
been a well-loved part of country music and Porter certainly
knows how to create in your mind the circumstances of
life twists and turns. One such event sees an innocent
man sitting in his jail cell as the money he is supposed
to have stolen is recovered from murky depths of the Big
Sandy River when the "Divers
Are Out Tonight". Further on we find the western
styled "Cookeville Kid"
who meets his demise during a game of cards.
Porter knows perfectly how to draw
out the emotions and "Have I
Told You Lately (That I Love You)"
effortlessly pulls at the heartstrings with a slow
rendition backed by a solitary piano and gentle
sympathetic strings. The whole album has the feel and
charisma of an old friend singing his songs personally to
the individual listener!!!
|
