Gene Watson has been singing professionally since the late 1950s and has been a country music album recording artist since the late 1960s.

Gene Watson's contribution to the country music genre is immeasurable.

It is here where you have an opportunity to read a review of Gene Watson's 'Old Loves Never Die' (MCA Records, 1981), as published in the December 1981 issue of Country Music People.







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Country Music People have long ago nailed its colours to the mast where Gene Watson is concerned.

CMP has rigorously championed Gene Watson's cause down through the years and have published a number of reviews of his album releases.

All reviews have been reproduced with the kind permission of Country Music People.





'Old Loves Never Die' (MCA Records, 1981)
Country Music People, December 1981



This review of 'Old Loves Never Die' (MCA Records, 1981) by Alan Cackett was published in the December 1981 issue of Country Music People, and is reproduced here with the kind permission of the publishers.

Album Review by Alan Cackett
(**** out of 5)
'Watson re-affirms his reputation as one of the finest country singers with this album containing a wide variety of songs.  He tackles them with a straight-forward interpretation and innocence that leaves nothing to the imagination.

The title tune sets the mood for the album; slow, moody, soulful.  That track also establishes the basic musical pattern of the album; acoustic guitars dominating with the electric instruments lending colour and occasionally coming forward to take the lead as they do quite effectively on 'Speak Softly (You're Talking to My Heart)'.

On 'Til Melinda Comes Around', a Glenn Ray (1938 - Thursday 11 June 2020) song about a man's temptation with a former lover, and Buzz Rabin's 'Roads & Other Reasons', Watson proves he can handle soft and sensuous ballads as well as the hard country songs that initially established him.

His singing throughout is superb, brilliantly recorded and in perfect unison with the backing sounds.  All in all, soft and pleasant fine country music'.

Alan Cackett
Country Music People
December 1981