Notes
The highest possible rating for this project reflects it's brilliance as a grand statement about country & western music, especially the incredible loyalty it's artists have toward historic figures in the genre. In this case, the giant being saluted is Ernest Tubb, a colossus who had such vast influence on country music that they probably had to barricade the studio doors just to keep all the performers in Nashville from trying to get in and pay their respects. In terms of an Ernest Tubb record, this is a very, very good one, although one certainly could argue that albums he cut in his prime with the finest versions of his bands should stand as the high points in his career. Yet again, the power of this album extends beyond the Tubb career and includes performances by many big names in country music, all done on the sly. At the center of it all is guitarist and producer Pete Drake, another country music giant who really loved Tubb. He got his idol to record a bunch of his old songs in the late '70s, during a period when the aging Texan was beginning to think his career was about over. Figuring it to be a solo project (which ended up being 'The Last Sessions' album), Tubb about went through the roof with excitement when he heard the finished mixes. Suddenly there was Willie Nelson, singing the second verse of 'Waltz Across Texas.' Then there was the surprising presence of Loretta Lynn, Tubb's singing partner from years back. As the playbacks rolled on, each song revealed an exciting guest shot, including performances by Johnny Cash, Johnny Paycheck, and many others. The listener who has never heard a bit of country & western except for whatever got through the radio scan can be directed to this album as an example of the genre's great qualities. It is all here, from the stellar instrumental playing done in a confident yet relaxed manner to the many different vocal styles, each soaked through and through with personality. The production itself achieves it's various glories through a rare combination of traditional musical approaches and relationships and the modern studio art of overdubbing, which allows artists who weren't even in the same room together at one time the chance to sing a duet.
