11/01/2007
Remembering Porter Wagoner
Country music legend Porter Wagoner passed away Sunday, October 28 of lung cancer at the age of 80. Known for his flesh-colored rhinestone suits, his blonde pompadour, and his syndicated country/gospel 1960s The Porter Wagoner Show, this Grand Ole Opry star known as the "thin man from the West Plains" also introduced the world to Dolly Parton. There is an amazing YouTube video of Porter and Dolly performing "You Better Move It On Home" but the user who posted the video disabled the embedding. Arrrrg. This performance of "Run That By Me One More Time" is cool too:
Keepin' it country in purple and sequins
In 1974, when Dolly parted ways with Porter it was not without major beef. Porter sued his duet partner for $3 million dollars over money owed to him and they reconciled out of court. Dolly then dedicated the tune "I Will Always Love You" to Porter from her 1974 album of the same name. The JAM from this record is "Jolene." Perfectly constructed in every way, this is Dolly Parton at her songwriting best. From the lyrical point of view, to the minor key, the melody, and the delivery there is no other song like this!
The White Stripes version of "Jolene" is both good and bad. On one hand they introduce the song to an audience who probably would not have known it, but on the other, Jack White can't sing it to save his life.
This past July, Wagoner played a show at Madison Square Garden with Grinderman (Nick Cave's side project) and the White Stripes at Madison Square Garden. Although reviews of the show cite low attendance during Porter's set, his performance was musically flawless, sincere, and nothing short of charming.
Amazon has most of Porter Wagoner's catalog. I recommend the "Cold Hard Facts of Life," and "The Best of Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton.
Posted by Emily on 11/01/2007 10:43 AM in YouTube, Country, Editorial
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