My Heroes Have Always Been Country

Gene Watson’s voice is equal parts whiskey and honey, worthy of the best tunes country music has to offer. After nearly 40 years of album-making, he remains on top of his game. His latest release pays tribute to some of Nashville’s finest artists and songwriters as he mixes and matches songs from the past half-century. Watson’s voice is warm and full-bodied, more than equal to the sumptuous melodies of songs like Dottie West’s “Here Comes My Baby Back Again” and Hank Cochran’s “Make the World Go Away.” He’s equally comfortable with the wry sexiness of “Slide off of Your Satin Sheets” (a 1977 Johnny Paycheck hit) and the haunting poignancy of “Long Black Veil” (made famous by Lefty Frizzell and The Band). A master of honky tonk balladry, Watson does especially well with Merle Haggard’s mournful “I Forget You Every Day.” “Hello Trouble” (a Buck Owens signature tune) wraps up the album on an upbeat note. Producer Dick Johnson goes for a classic country sound throughout, keeping Watson’s vocals in the spotlight amid bluesy piano lines and keening pedal steel guitar work.