Collectors Choice's 2009 two-fer combines Waylon and Singer of Sad Songs, two Jennings LPs from 1970, onto one CD. Both albums find Waylon pushing somewhat at the restraints of Nashville's studio system, as he starts to rock a little bit harder -- the former contains Chuck Berry's "Brown Eyed Handsome Man," the latter the Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Woman" -- and finds risky, ambitious material to sing, including Tom Rush's "No Regrets" and Tim Hardin's "If I Were a Carpenter," while picking unconventional tunes from Merle ...
Read More
Collectors Choice's 2009 two-fer combines Waylon and Singer of Sad Songs, two Jennings LPs from 1970, onto one CD. Both albums find Waylon pushing somewhat at the restraints of Nashville's studio system, as he starts to rock a little bit harder -- the former contains Chuck Berry's "Brown Eyed Handsome Man," the latter the Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Woman" -- and finds risky, ambitious material to sing, including Tom Rush's "No Regrets" and Tim Hardin's "If I Were a Carpenter," while picking unconventional tunes from Merle Haggard ("All of Me Belongs to You") to sing. Both records are moodier than those on Love of the Common People/Hangin' On, and are tougher, too, all without departing from the lush tapestry of stringed instruments and harmonies that distinguish Jennings' RCA works. Again, it's possible to hear where Waylon wanted to go -- to hear the roots of Honky Tonk Heroes -- but there is considerable appeal in the friction between his increasing rebellion and Nashville's conservative ways, an appeal that's plainly evident on both of these strong LPs. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
Read Less
Portions of content provided by Rovi Corporation. © 2024 Rovi Corporation.