Wagonmaster (CD - 2007)

Personnel: Kenny Vaughan (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, arch guitar); Mike Johnson , Fred Newell (steel guitar); Mote, Eric Fritsch, Gordon Mote (piano); Marty Stuart (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals); Stuart Duncan (acoustic guitar, fiddle); Buck Trent (banjo, electric banjo); Brian Glenn (upright bass); Harry Stinson (drums); Carl Jackson (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Joey Turner .

Recording information: MCS Studios, Branson, MO; Omni Sound Studios, Nashville, TN; PWE Studio, Nashville, TN.

Author: Porter Wagoner.

Photographers: Marty Stuart; Adam Smith.

Named in deference to his old band, Porter Wagoner's album WAGONMASTER (2007) is filled with surprises despite coming quite late in the legend's long career. The most pleasant surprise is that while WAGONMASTER reads from the outset like a comeback record, it's not an attempt to be Rick Rubinized--à la Johnny Cash--nor does it opt for the back-to-bluegrass blueprint of Dolly Parton (Wagner's former protégé). Instead, the listener gets what Wagoner has offered at various peaks during his long career: top-notch countrypolitan delivered with an easy baritone and ace musicianship.

Porter plays WAGONMASTER very light on its feet. There is grit in the vocals and the hard-won wisdom of age in the stories, but Wagoner never lets the gravitas overtake his desire to entertain with some good ol' country songs. Despite the hard-luck feel of "Late Love of Mine" and "Committed to Parkview," most of the selections are upbeat and feature incredible fiddle and peddle-steel exhibitions displayed just so by Marty Stuart's fantastic natural production. Indeed, much of the album evokes the finest moments of the Ryman--surely the arena where Wagoner has always felt most comfortable. WAGONMASTER ultimately reveals that in the twilight Wagoner will play to his strengths: great mainstream Nashville country circa 1969. minimize