Can't find the right words to classify this twofer....!
Ronald Van Scherpenzeel | Madrid, Spain | 08/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When you like to find out some more about an artist whom you
casually heard a song of you liked very much, the next step is
to get a "greatest hits" compilation and see if the initial
impression is possitive indeed. When I bought the "Ultimate
Collection" of Gene Watson, I liked it so much that I gave it
5 stars (see one of the previous reviews). Since there were
more "greatest hits" compilations I kept on buying them and
every time I was more impressed with Gene's style of singing
and the selection of songs. Only 2 or 3 weeks ago I bought
his latest CD from 2005 (that means a gap of 16 years)and
again it was 5 stars worth because nothing had changed: a
beautiful way of singing great songs. Finally I decided to
purchase these two original LP's on one CD although I was a
little bit worried about its contents because when any artist
normally has some good songs on a LP or CD there are also
usually some minor songs. Wrong!!! To anyone who likes Gene
Watson or country music in general THIS IS A MUST! I can't
find the right words to describe these two complete LP's on
one CD. There's everything within the country music: rock,
blues, honky tonk, bluegrass even the incredible "jazzy" song
"The Old Man and His Horn" (one of the nicest songs ever
recorded on a country record) and most of all his beautiful
ballads. I have been collecting records for almost 50 years
now and never thouhgt a "new" discovered singer would replace
my preferences on the private list for the best artists around.
However this has happened and I'm glad it did. This guy is
givin' me hours of listening pleasure and I immediatley have
asked for his other double LP on CD released also by the HUX
label. These "packages" are beautifully remastered and the
sound quality is superb."
Two Great Albums on One CD
Paul W. Dennis | Winter Springs, FL USA | 11/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Gene Watson was at his peak during his tenure at Capitol and these are just two of several outstanding albums he issued for the label. BECAUSE YOU BELIEVED IN ME was Gene's second album with the title cut reaching the Top 20. BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY was (I think) his fourth album, and contains my all-time favorite Gene Watson single "The Old Man and His Horn" which has a definite New Orleans feel to it(including trumpet solos)and a terrific narrative story. Other singles drawn from this album include "I Don't Need A Thing At All", and "Cowboys Don't Get Lucky All The Time" (which appeared in the soundtrack of the movie 'Convoy'). Seven of the songs on this CD were penned either by Ray Griff or Dallas Harms. Great stuff
"
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1