AMG Review of Legends of the Grand Ole Opry

Al Campbell
All Music Guide

As part of Time Life's Legends of the Grand Ole Opry series, this overview of traditional country artist (and ~Grand Ole Opry member since 1957) Porter Wagoner features 14 songs recorded between 1963 and 1967 at ~the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. During this time, Wagoner had been making a comeback via his enormously popular syndicated television show. His success was based on equal parts music and the singer's genuine demeanor: that of a congenial host welcoming you into his home, hopin' that you'll stay a while. His mixture of honky tonk, gospel, and bluegrass and his unique approach to storytelling are preserved beautifully on this set, with songs split equally between hits of the '50s like "Satisfied Mind" "Company's Comin'," and "What Would You Do? (If Jesus Came to Your House)" and newer tracks "Green, Green Grass of Home," "I've Enjoyed as Much of This as I Can Stand," and "Skid Row Joe," which would soon become hits. Oddly enough, his duet partner of the time, fellow ~Opry member Norma Jean (who was replaced by Dolly Parton in 1967), is absent on these performances. Since Porter Wagoner's live albums can be hard to come by, this CD is a welcome addition to his discography.