In this day and age where posthumus releases are as plentiful as well, releases of artists that are still alive, we have seen a mixed bag of good and bad, well done and hastily produced. With the recent release of Waylon Forever (Vagrant), we see the late and legendary Waylon Jennings’ teaming up with his son Shooter, as well as Shooter’s band, The 357′s to craft what will easily be one of the years best rockin’ country efforts. Shooter has thankfully finished what he and his father started not long before the elder Jennings’ passing in February of 2002.
It has been noted that this disc plays out as if Waylon Jennings is fronting a rock band to great effect. 100% true. Classics such as “Lonesome, Onry & Mean” and even the more subdued “Waymore’s Blues”, (sounding like track that would’ve been at home on a Allman Bros. live album) are given an urgency that ups the swagger of even the originals, thanks in large part to the electric guitar work. “White Room” is covered and covered well, again resuscitating a classic with new breath and attitude. Jennings’ timeless bellow at beginning of the track and serves as notice that this song is now his alone…sorry Cream.
Reviving the voice of a legend that has passed on is and will continue to be a tricky endeavor. Having said that, it is clearly a much safer proposition when the person digging up the grave is the son of the spirit in question. Shooter has done his papa proud, and as a result, we get to sit in on perhaps the most rocking family reunion ever.
One Response
sounds wicked awesome! almost as awesome as obama being elected leader of the free world after only two years in the senate!!