It is also helpful with "Brother Harold Dee." This is one of those old fashioned recitation numbers, a classic Porter Wagoner specialty. He's really good with these dramatic little morality plays, and this story of a freaky long haired son rejected by his upstanding middle class family is an excellent example. This kind of thing just naturally sounds more credible from an old man's mouth.
There's maybe just one place, though, where age works distinctly against him as a performer. "Hotwired" was written by Shawn Camp, with whose work I'm not otherwise familiar. This may be the best one song on the album. I might describe it as rockabilly, though that might be more a general spiritual comparison rather than a specific musical style. In any case, it's an outstanding song working from a particularly good metaphor about an electrifying gal who just can't seem to stop hotwiring everything in site - including the narrator's heart, naturally. It's an outstanding song and a perfectly good arrangement, but there's just no way 79 year old Porter can vocally do justice to the electrical sexual sentiments of the song. I'd really like to hear the Kings of Leon take a swing at this. The purveyors of "Holy Roller Novacaine" could really sell this bad boy.
Overall, this is an excellent album. Now, if you don't have any Porter Wagoner records - well, first of all you're missing out. You should hunt down a hits album first before this, naturally. But after that, and if you're any kind of Porter fan, you definitely should hear this fine album.
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
In fairness to Porter, Johnny Cash's voice sounded a bit weathered in his latter years too. But to me that always added character to the songs, and gravity to the experience conveyed in the lyrics -- even though in Cash's case the lyrics weren't always his own. There was just the sense of so much life having been lived with the way Cash interpeted the songs he sang.
I haven't actually heard this record, but I'm sure thats equally true with Porter. Based on this review, I sure intend to find out.
-Glen
2 - Al Barger
Glen, I'm sure you'll dig this the most. Also, anyone who digs real country music - not this Garth Brooks/Dixie Chicks crap - will likely be well pleased with this.
I'll note that this would also be a really good gift item for an old country music loving grandpa or a crazy old uncle.
The deterioration of Porter or Johnny's voice with age works almost as much for as against them. They lose some technically, but like you said, get a new artistic effect from it.
3 - JC Mosquito
If Marty Stuart produced it, you can bet it's authentic & done out a sense of reverence. Marty & his band the Fabulous Superlatives are the last of the true hillbilly cats left - they can play bluegrass as well as they play the twang thang.