Wagonmaster

Porter Wagoner | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: June 5, 2007
• Release Date: June 5, 2007
• Label: Anti/Epitaph
• Copyright: 2007 Anti
• Total Length: 52:52
• Genres:
• ASIN: B000X6VDKC
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,333 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wagonmaster's comin', August 12, 2007

By 

DanD - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Wagonmaster (Audio CD)

Note the key component of the the word Wagonmaster: "master." It implies someone who knows his/her craft better than anyone else. There are three masters present on this record, who contribute equally to its artistic creation.

On the surface, you have Porter Wagoner: a vertan of country music, both good and bad, who's seen just about all there is to see, and somehow lived to tell about it. He sings the songs, he writes most of the lyrics; they are haunting lyrics, deep and painful--even when they are upbeat, even on the gospel numbers, they are haunted by a sense of forboding. Make no mistake: this is not a happy album.

Behind the scenes, you have Marty Stuart, who picks on all the songs and produced the album. Stuart's production values have long been lauded (from personal experience, I can say he damn-near changed my life with his work on Billy Bob Thornton's debut record, PRIVATE RADIO), and here they earn every bit of praise they've been given. This is a traditional country record, with fiddle and steel on every track, with lyrics that are as honest as they are bitter. It is a cohesive effort that flows together like molasses...or Satan's river.

The culminative point on the album is the final, unlisted track: Stuart and Wagoner in the studio, discussing and singing Hank Williams. You don't think of it on your first listen; but when you get to that hidden track, you realize that this is, indeed, a Hank Williams record--hence the third master. The voice and poetry of Porter Wagoner, produced and played by the incomparable Marty Stuart, channeling the poetry of Hank Williams. If that doesn't equal a classic country record...then, damn it all, nothing does.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is what country music is about., September 2, 2007

By 

Tim Martin (South Bend, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wagonmaster (Audio CD)

In this album, Porter Wagoner sings of moments of clarity in lives filled with desperation and struggle. Loves lost and lost lives fill this album that is sure to bring further resurgence to an illustrious career. Here, set against a beautiful background of classic country accompaniment , Porter Wagoner brings us back to the era of classic country with its ballads that bring sadness and consolation. The song "Albert Ervin" is an incredible accomplishment.

No need for a long review. If you like country music, you must buy this album. If you want to see if you would like country, you must buy this album.

Another star is set in the firmament.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PORTER'S BEST ALBUM!!!!!!, June 5, 2007

By 

James S. Hunnicutt "www.myspace.com/jamesabilly" (Washington State USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wagonmaster (Audio CD)

I run Porter Wagoner's "Official" myspace page and was lucky enough to receive an advanced promo-copy of WAGONMASTER which is nothing short of amazing!!! The album features the track "Committed to Parkview" which was penned for Porter by The Late, Great Johnny Cash but as great as this song is the album has even better works written by Porter himself! 17 tracks in all ranging from Honky Tonk & Blue Grass to Macabre Ballads & Gospel Recitations. Porter does it all on this album! WAGONMASTER provides an eclectic mix of all Porter's Stylings in a way that no other album in his catalogue does! ...and to think that "The Thin Man From West Plains" will turn 80 this August while in the midst of celebrating his 50th (Yes, 50th!!!) year on The Grand Ole' Opry!!! Marty Stuart deserves great credit for allowing Porter to make the greatest album of his career! Buck Trent(Original Wagonmaster band member) even appears on electric banjo to help deliver that classic 60's honky tonk sound that Porter was & still is 2nd to none at doing!!! Ok, that's enough...

Just buy it!!! You'll be glad you did!!!!