Wagonmaster
Porter Wagoner · 2007
52 min · 17 tracks · country music
A reflective journey through traditional country sounds, steeped in storytelling and laced with nostalgia for simpler times.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Who Knows Right From Wrong — This track encapsulates the moral complexities of life with poignant lyrics that reflect Wagoner's wisdom and experience, making it a standout moment on the album.
-
→
Albert Erving — With its narrative style, this song showcases Wagoner's masterful storytelling ability and deep connection to the themes of loss and memory that permeate the album.
-
→
Satan’s River — This track illustrates Wagoner's skill in blending traditional country instrumentation with introspective lyrics, creating an evocative exploration of struggle and redemption.
-
→
Committed to Parkview — The emotional depth of this song reveals a rare vulnerability, highlighting Wagoner's ability to convey personal experiences through universal sentiments.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and traditional sounds but lacks a cohesive flow due to its length and varied pacing.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a two-part title track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a series of storytelling songs that explore themes of nostalgia and personal experience.
- Several tracks feature traditional instrumentation, including steel guitar and fiddle, which are prominent throughout the record.
- The pacing varies, with some tracks maintaining a steady mid-tempo while others slow down to emphasize lyrical content, particularly in the latter half.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo storytelling experience
- nostalgic reflections on life
- heartfelt melodies for quiet moments
- consistently engaging narrative flow
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced listening
- seek standalone hit tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on June 5, 2007, 'Wagonmaster' was Porter Wagoner's final studio album, showcasing his enduring legacy in country music as he neared the end of his career. This album came after a resurgence of interest in his music due to his collaborations with younger artists and marked a significant return to his roots in storytelling and classic country themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dolly Parton· Buck Owens· Merle Haggard
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Wagonmaster, Part 1 0:48
- 2 Be a Little Quieter 2:25
- 3 Who Knows Right From Wrong 3:17
- 4 Albert Erving 4:18
- 5 A Place to Hang My Hat 3:24
- 6 Eleven Cent Cotton 2:39
- 7 My Many Hurried Southern Trips 3:19
- 8 Committed to Parkview 3:40
- 9 The Agony of Waiting 3:36
- 10 Buck and the Boys 0:52
- 11 Fool Like Me 2:51
- 12 Late Love of Mine 3:11
- 13 Hotwired 3:35
- 14 Brother Harold Dee 4:23
- 15 Satan’s River 3:21
- 16 Wagonmaster, Part 2 1:08
- 17 Porter & Marty (Men With Broken Hearts/I Heard That Lonesome Whistle) 6:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.