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From the Vault...
11/28/2021
#1806 |
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info
Waylon Jennings
"Music Man/
Black On Black"
© BMG/Camden Deluxe Records
Year of Release: 2003
Rating:
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track listing
Clyde
It's Alright
Theme From
The Dukes Of
Hazzard
(Good Ol' Boys)
Nashville Wimmin
Do It Again
Sweet Music Man
Storms Never Last
He Went To Paris
What About You
Waltz Across Texas
Women Do Know
How To Carry On
Honky Tonk Blues
Just To Satisfy You
We Made It As Lovers
(We Just Couldn't
Make It As Friends
Shine
Folsom Prison Blues
Gonna Write A Letter
May I Borrow Some
Sugar From You
Song For The Life
Get Naked With Me
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Waylon Jennings
"Music Man/Black On Black"
Waylon Jennings (finally) has made his debut, here on WSVNRadio.net. He is one of those artists (likewise Willie Nelson), where his "Best Of/Greatest Hits"
compilations are just not enough. Especially for those who had Waylon's 45 rpm records. It's obvious, that not only were the A-sides good, the B-sides were just as
exceptional. This is the case with Waylon's TV hit, "Theme From The Dukes Of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)" This hit was from his original album, Music Man.
It's flip-side, was "It's Alright." Now, on most best of/greatest hits compilations, both A and B sides would be included. This was not the case. "It's
Alright" was only from the original Music Man. So when the CD age came along, the Music Man album on CD would be part of a twofer of original
albums: Music Man (1980) and Black On Black (1982).
MUSIC MAN (1980):
Leading off the Music Man album is "Clyde," written by J.J. Cale. It's classic Waylon, and his classic sound. That good ol' Waylon sound
continues, on "Nashville Wimmin." Steely Dan's "Do It Again" is covered by Waylon, as he has this in his Country style, yet his vocals are rough.
Maybe not considered his best, but he gives it a good Country try.
Throughout his Country career, Waylon recorded many slow-driven tunes. And they are are classic Country. The next three tracks fit that easy/nice slow-driven
style, and they are all classic for Waylon: "Sweet Music Man," (written by Kenny Rogers), "Storms Never Last" (written by Jessi Colter, whom Waylon
was married to), and "He Went To Paris," (written by Jimmy Buffett).
"What About You" was co-written by Johnnie Wright, and if that name doesn't ring bells, his popular #1 Country hit may: "Hello Vietnam" (1965),
which was written by Tom T. Hall. (This song was also in the movie Full Metal Jacket.) "What About You" is an upbeat Country tune, as in "Clyde," Nashville
Wimmin," "The Dukes If Hazzard Theme", and "It's Alright." "Waltz Across Texas" was written by Ernest Tubb, and it's the Honky Tonk Waylon.
BLACK ON BLACK (1982):
"Women Do Know How To Carry On" is good upbeat Waylon. He puts his own style on the Hank Williams Sr. classic, "Honky Tonk Blues." "Just TO Satisfy
You" was a Waylon and Willie hit, and it seems that Willie is heard in this version (?), but Willie's voice doesn't stand out. (Willie was listed as a
singer on this album; also Jessi Colter). "We Made It As Lovers (We Just Couldn't Make It As Friends)" is a great Country title, and it's another good
ol' Waylon tune. "Shine" (written by Waylon), it fits the songs mentioned, along with "What About You."
Once again, waylon puts his own style on Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues." Waylon's version is unique, with his Country style, as compared to the
original by Johnny Cash. "Gonna Write A Letter" is a nice tune - other songs are better, but that doesn't make this particular song bad. It's Waylon.
And, much like the other nice and soft-driven tunes, "Can I Borrow Some Sugar From You." Likewise, the soft-driven "Song For The Life" written by
Rodney Crowell. Ending the album is another good Waylon track, "Get Naked With Me."
Another artist to mention, is Country songwriter/musician Bobby Emmons. He had written songs recorded by Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson and many others from
the 1950s onward. Four songs he wrote/co-wrote on Black On Black: "Women Do Know How To Carry On" (co-written with Waylon); other co-written:
"We Made It As Lovers (We Just Couldn't Make It As Friends)," "May I Borrow Some Sugar From You." "Get Naked With Me" was written by Emmons alone. Emmons
played guitar on Black On Black. And, he had co-written another huge hit that was recorded by Waylon - "Luckenbach Texas."
Both Music Man and Black On Black are great Waylon albums. Waylon's distinctive and unique Country blends throughout both albums. His Outlaw
sound is also heard throughout. Classic Waylon. Waylon wrote/co-wrote songs from both albums: "It's Alright," "Theme From Dukes Of Hazzard" (Music
Man; wrote), "Women Do Know How To Carry On" (co-wrote), "Shine" (wrote) (Black On Black).
Waylon Jennings passed away in 2002, at the age of 64. He was married four times, and had six children. One of them, Waylon Albright, from Jessi Colter.
He is better known as Shooter Jennings. He has released 10 studio albums (2005-2018). Waylon Jennings would probably have never been known, if he had been on
the plane, which crashed on February 3, 1959. This plane crash took the lives of Buddy Holly, J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper), Ritchie Valens, and the plane's
pilot, Roger Peterson. Waylon was Buddy's guitar player. Richardson had the flu, and took Waylon's seat on the plane. The tour bus was uncomfortable, which
Buddy did not want to take the bus, which was headed for the next tour location. Ritchie Valens' seat was determined from a coin toss, which he won, from Buddy
Holly's bandmember, Tommy Allsup. What is haunting, was the conversation that Buddy and Waylon had before they departed - Holly jokingly said, "Well, I hope your
ol' bus freezes up." Waylon, in response (jokingly), said, Well, I hope your ol' plane crashes." This response would haunt Waylon for the rest of his life.
We can only imagine what Buddy Holly would have done, if he was still alive, likewise the others - Ritchie Valaens and The Big Bopper. Maybe, if they both didn't
take the bus and the plane, maybe Buddy would have become another huge Country artist (?) - he could have been one of the "Outlaws" in Country, along with Waylon
and Willie (?) Oh, the "What Ifs..." Also to mention, another group that played that night with Buddy, J.P, and Ritchie, was Dion & The Belmonts. Dion couldn't
afford the plane fare, so he took the bus. As we all know, Dion would become another popular artist in the 1960s. Likewise, he would record Christian album, and
most recently, he has achived the #1 spot on Billboard's Blues Albums chart, with two albums.
Waylon left behind a great legacy of Country music. His music IS definitely Country. His unique voice, his unique sound. Outlaw Waylon. Music
Man and Black On Black was the start for Waylon's 1980s Country music output. He recorded albums from 1964 to 2000 (studio and live). Posthumously,
through 2012. He was clean shaven through the 1960s and early 1970s (imagine that). But he was best known for his long hair and bearded looks, and his Outlaw
country style, starting from 1973 onward.
Waylon was a Legend. And even though he's been gone for almost 20 years now, he is still a Country legend. His music will continue, for many decades to
follow. Music Man and Black On Black will keep continuing that legend legacy. Wayland (Waylon) Arnold Jennings : June 15, 1937 - February 13, 2002.
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Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
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BMG/Camden Deluxe Records
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