Gene Watson reviewed
Gene Watson
In A Perfect World
(Shanachie)
Country veteran Gene Watson has emerged from his gospel era intact, entering a new relationship with Shanachie Records as a back-to-basics man.
While Watson has brought some friends along (Connie Smith, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack), the strength of In A Perfect World is where it has always been with Watson: his steady croon. The 11 tracks bear virtually no surprises, but that’s what works for his deliberate style (and consistent with the fact he’s more successful going slow than fast). “Let Me Be The First To Go” and “This Side Of The Door” are the tentposts of this pure country comeback and prove while Watson may have been gone, he certainly hasn’t lost his way.
— Steve Forstneger
