Front cover

Back cover

Catalog Number(s):
LT-1062 (Stereo LP)

Released: February 9, 1981
Peaked: #5 Billboard country chart & #126 on Billboard pop chart

Recorded June 13, 14, July 2 and September 23, 1980 at Creative Workshop, Berry Hill, TN
Producer: Brent Maher and Randy Goodrum
Engineered: Brent Maher
Mixed by: Brent Maher and Randy Goodrum
Mastered: Ken Perry at Capitol Studios/L.A.

Musicians:
Kenny Malone — Drums and Percussion
Jack Williams and Bob Wray — Bass
Randy Goodrum — Acoustic Piano
Shane Keister and Randy Goodrum — Rhodes Electric Piano and Synthesizers
Jon Goin and Bruce Dees — Guitars
John Goin — Guitar Solos
Terry McMillann — Harmonica
Sheri Kramer, Donna McElroy, Bergen White and Randy Goodrum — Background Vocals
Sheldon Kurland String Section — Strings

Art Direction: Bill Burks
Photographer: Harry Langdon
Logo: Mike Manoogian
Make-Up: Wayne Massarelli

Special Thanks:
Thanks again to My Producers, Brent and Randy, for writing special songs for me and helping me to express my innermost feelings.

Thanks to Michael Brokaw & Ken Kragen, my dedicated Personal Managers. Thanks for believing in me and believing this to be my best music ever.

To Al Mifflin my business manager who really does take care of business.

To Al Winters my tour manager for keeping me and my Wild West Band on tour, on time, in tune and altogether.

Thanks to Jim Mazza, your continued belief in me is an unequaled inspiration, thanks for the special interest.

Thanks to Mark, Suzan and my newest nephew Heath Levinson for being such good friends.

Thanks to Don Grierson for caring so much.

Thanks to Bill Burks, for capturing the real me this time.

Thanks to Jerry Seabolt for taking my records to all the radio stations in the country.

Thanks to Guy Thomas, my publicist, for always pressing the press in your own magical way.

To Becky Blevins my personal secretary, for being a great help and a close friend through everything.

My love to Dale for giving me a hand and to Kerry for lending an ear.

Thanks to Bob Mackie: The designer who creates clothes that make women feel beautiful.

Thanks to my special singing partner Kenny Rogers for his magic touch on “What Are We Doing In Love”..

Singles Released From Album:
1392 Are You Happy Baby? / Right Or Wrong – 01-12-80
1404 What Are We Doin’ In Love / Choosin’ Means Losin’ – 03-81
A-1419 Put You Back On The Rock / Sorry Seems To Be The Hardes Word – 06-81

Side One

  • 1. Make Us A Plan (Brent Maher – Randy Goodrum)
  • 2. Are You Happy Baby (Bob Stone)
  • 3. What Are We Doin’ In Love (Randy Goodrum)
  • 4. Right Or Wrong (Brent Maher – Randy Goodrum)
  • 5. Choosin’ Means Losin’ (Brent Maher – Randy Goodrum)

Side Two

  • 6. Goodbye (Larry Butler – Buddy Killen)
  • 7. (I’m Gonna) Put You Back On The Rack (Brent Maher – Randy Goodrum)
  • 8. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (Elton John – Bernie Taupin)
  • 9. Please Remember Me (D. Loggins – B. Woodley)
  • 10. Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again (Don Cook – Curley Putman – Rafe Vanhoy)

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Reviews

One of her best efforts yet, Dottie West’s latest album is full of potential crossover material, as well as top country songs. Producers Brent Maher and Randy Goodrum have pulled just the right sound from West, forging a diverse mixture of material on the album, including six songs from Goodrum and/or Maher, an offering from Elton John and Bernie Taupin and material from other top writers. Though all numbers are top notch, particularly note her duet with Kenny Rogers, “What Are We Doin’ In Love,” “Goodbye” and her current single, “Are You Happy Baby.”
The Dottie West situation makes pretty good sense. Or does it? She has turned her career around just like Hank, Jr. And she has kept the chart toppers coming, with or without Kenny Rogers. There ought to be a way to learn something about stability and success from a lady like that.

A large part of it, I’m sure, is the now familiar Dottie West beat. That is composed of a tight mix of keyboards and percussion, coming together like musical handclaps. The new style clicked, generating Number One records and a bigger name for Dottie.

Wild West opens with “Make a Plan,” about a relationship that is out of balance and badly in need of reconciliation. The bottom line is stated in an early verse: “We’ve got one wheel on the shoulder and we’re about to lose control.” She loses the guy on “Are You Happy Baby,“ and tries to push the unhappiness off on him by saying nobody could love him better than she can.
She gets him back on “What Are We Doing In Love?,” a duet with Kenny Rogers revealing, that this couple goes together like “satin and cinders, paper and matches, roses and switches.”

Sin is not the issue on this new version of “Right Or Wrong.” It ends with the same couple still trying to figure each other out. Then on “Choosin’ Means Losin’“ the truth comes out. The woman is trying to keep two guys on a string. She admits it to one of them, ending one side of the record with the sadly worded conclusion, “Baby I just don’t know.”

Parting becomes inevitable on side two, with titles like “Goodbye,“ “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word,“ and “Please Remember Me.” After scattering blame and hurt all over the place, the mixed up pair finally had the sense to call it off. But at the very end, the lady comes on with “I Wish That 1 Could Hurt That Way Again.” Oh well. Songs aren’t supposed to be logical. Love isn’t supposed to be logical. Women aren’t supposed to be logical. The only thing that makes sense is all the Number One records for Dottie West. (Country Style Magazine )
Classy material crosses several styles here, including country, pop, and even R&B, as West delivers an LP not limited to country formats. Best cuts are her current single “Are You Happy Baby,” a duet with Kenny Rogers on “What Are We Doin’ In Love,” a cover of Elton John’s tender “Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word,” and a compelling version of the great “I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again”.
The name Dottie West has been onymous with country music for nearly two decades. No one can sing the old heartbreak lyrics the way she can. Her latest album is a slick country/pop offering with most of the songs written by producers Randy Goodrum and Brent Maher. Leading the way in the pop quarter are “Are You Happy Baby?,” “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word” and “(I’m ‘gonna) Put You Back on the Rack.” She mixes these tunes with the quick, pounding rhythms of “Make a Plan,” “Right or Wrong” and “Please Remember Me.” Her country side contributes ‘`Choosin* Means Losin’ ” and “I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again.” both fine efforts that showcase the singer’s strong, evocative style. The presence of West’s latest hit with sometimes partner Kenny Rogers, “What Are We Doin’ in Love?” should boost sales. Although an enjoyable album, this is not Dottie West at her best. She would do well to remain with the country standards and the work of her own pen.
Dottie keeps turning out chart toppers with or without Kenny Rogers. This album keeps the lady in line for razor sharp tunes finding the perfect balance for an earful of good listening. “Wild West” finds Dottie keeping her voice under control with “Make A Plan,” “Are You Happy, Baby?” “What Are We Doing In Love?” with Kenny Rogers, “Right Or Wrong,” “Choosin’ Means Losing” and “I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again.” West is clicking on all music scenes, and most of her songs are heading in the right direction.
Previous album
1979 | Special Delivery