Porter Wagoner - 1927-2007

I just watched videos of him and Dolly last night.

RIP

There's a great picture thread around here that is mostly Porter Wagoner LP covers.

rip for sure, but updated death pool results plz, jaymc.

I hope this will bring a ray of sunshine at this solemn moment.

The recent Omni compilation of really odd Porter Wagoner tracks (28 or so) from his period of peak creativity shows what a compelling songwriter and oddball he could be. It's called "Rubber Room" and is highly recommended both as great country music and truly mind-boggling material. RIP, Porter.

his duets w/dolly are some of the best country ever, fond memories of their TV variety show and commercials. for all his stoic poker-faced demeanor he sang about the wild side of life as well as anyone. a true honky tonk great, and nobody wore those suits like he did. RIP

For some reason I never saw that TV program: lovebug ,where did you grow up? I have to admit the first time I became aware of him was when I saw Alex Chilton cover "The Rubber Room."

And here is a link to the picture thread I was talking about.

The Porter Wagoner Show must have been regional, we got it in Cincinnati during the early 70s. Porter and Dolly did some amazing commercials for Breeze detergent, with a free towel (!) in every box. This performance clip from 1973 is pretty corny but the band is hot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqmyfQDN6ik

Maybe it was regional, the Best of Johnny Cash DVD makes much of the fact that it was a national show originating from Nashville.

I seem to remember Porter being on this thread, but I couldn't find him.

Google tells me that he brought James Brown to the Opry.

It was syndicated nationwide, it just wasn't on any of the big 3 networks.

I really don't remember it being on up here in NYC, unless I just thought it was part of Hee Haw. Anyway, I don't want to go all gabnebb on you, so I'll let the matter drop.

I wonder if it's kosher to discuss the rumors about him and James Brown...

Please don't go there, wherever that is.

maybe the greatest record jacket ever...

http://www.morethings.com/music/porter_wagoner/cold_hard_facts_of_life.jpg

Great cover, that. (The smug look on that asshole's face)

more like pwner wagoner right there

The smug PART on the SIDE of his face, more like!

So I picked up The Rubber Room based on deedeedeextrovert's recommendation upthread -- an absolutely correct assessment, both great and crazy. "Fairchild" just did my head in with the final verse.

I'm glad you're happy with my assessment, Ned. It's a great record - supposedly another similar collection is in the works, though I'm not sure it's on the same label. But it will be even more far out, supposedly.

I only know the song 'The Rubber Room' - is the album of the same title as DAMN FINE as that track, then? (I am, to be fair, already assuming from the rampant positivity on this thread that the answer will be yes.)

There was an original vinyl album called "The Rubber Room" - probably great, but I've never heard it. Then there is the CD by the same title (on Omni Records.) It sounds great, has a generous number of tracks and dips from PW's catalog from around the time of the original "The Rubber Room" album, and is as already noted, very fine indeed. So yes.

Porter Wagoner tribute on WKCR now! Right this instant Porter and Dolly singing "Just Someone I Used To Know."

10-4, over and out

She thinks she's made a fool of me
By loving someone else
She should see me make a fool
Of myself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7tTGYNxAG0&feature=related

"The first Mrs. Jones"

Her real first name was Betty but I'd rather just forget it
So I'll call her the First Mrs Jones
We were married in September and it lasted till November
Then one day she just took out on her own
I followed her to Savannah New Orleans and then Atlanta
Every day I begged her to come home
Pretty soon I started drinking tryin' hard to keep from thinking
Just how much I loved the First Mrs Jones
It was cold and dark one morning just before the day was dawning
When I staggered from a tavern to a phone
When she picked up her receiver I said you're gonna come back or either
They're gonna be calling you the Late Mrs Jones
I put a pistol in my jacket stumbled out and hailed a taxi
I told taxidriver to take me to her home
I remember walkin' proudly everybody said I yelled out loudly
Come on out or I'm gonna come in Mrs Jones
Then next thing I recall was walking to the forest
Lookin' for a place to hide her bones
I dug and dug for hours and then I planted flowers
Right on the top of the First Mrs Jones
Did my little story scare you oh I can see cause I'm so near you
Little beads of persperation dot your clothes
Aren't you sorry now that you left me
Really now doesn't you wanna come go with me
After all you are the Second Mrs Jones

this guy has the most disturbing song catalog in country music