Now here's an oddity if there ever was one, but it also proves that
Vern Gosdin is capable of anything if he sets his mind to it.
There Is a Season is a direct quote from
the Byrds' version of
Pete Seeger's
"Turn, Turn, Turn," which is also the first track on the album. In addition, there is a familiar 12-string and vocal on the set that belongs to none other than
Roger McGuinn. Issued on the short-lived
Compleat [sic] label, which was distributed by
Polygram, the set dates from 1984, when
country music was looking for itself again after the fade of the outlaws and just before
Dwight Yoakam changed everything again with his return to
Bakersfield honky tonk. This is a curiosity in
Gosdin's catalog in that it openly reveals his restlessness in seeking a new direction.
Gosdin seemed to be revisiting many of the moments in his past rambling days from California to Chicago to Nash Vegas to Texas, from street to
honky tonk to concert hall and recording studio. He is accompanied by
Emmylou Harris in a very prominent backing-vocalist role.
Gosdin takes
"Turn, Turn, Turn" and transforms it into a song that looks forward; it doesn't sit in the present tense, a reflection on the changing nature of the times. But in tracks like
"How Can I Believe You (When You'll Be Leavin' Me)," Jim Rushing's
"Slow Healing Heart," and
Hank Cochran and
Dean Dillon's
"What Would Your Memories Do," Gosdin reaches deep into that golden throat of his to pull out every conflicting emotion that presents itself in the lyrics. Whether it is a
ballad or a
honky tonk waltz or a
pop song,
Gosdin holds them all in equanimity and delivers them as if they are the only songs in the world. In addition to his literally stunning performances here,
Gosdin co-wrote over half of the record, making it one of his most inspired efforts. ~ Thom Jurek
![The Best of the Best of Merle Haggard [Capitol]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0077779125425_p0_v2_s90x140.jpg "The Best of the Best of Merle Haggard [Capitol]")
