Disco de The Highwaymen: “Highwaymen”

I generally try not to dis other reviewers, but sometimes (like now), there must be an exception. Let me just so so far as to say that I agree with those other normal folks who have reviewed this album (not the so-called critic).

He must have had a BAD day in order to hear only "precious little entertainment" from these guys. No purpose? I guess bringing together a couple of legends of the genre is not enough for him. Too damned bad.

These guys were great together in concert. The album works well, too. They obviously share much in common (maybe too much of it as wee might infer from the whimsical "Committed to Parkview"). The title cut, "Against the Wind", and "Desperados Waiting" are such good stuff. The intermingling of three very distinctive voices (sorry, but to my mind, Kris just is not quite in the same tax bracket) works very well throughout this album.

Good guys having a good time, making good music. Just what the Dcotor ordered, but not the critic. His loss.

When I think of cowboy music three things come to mind: "The Good,The Bad and The Ugly", "The Red Headed Stranger" and "The Highwaymen". I saw these outlaws in concert twice in the 80's and both times were heck of a shows. Hearing them on album, it's interesting how four country stars can sing together without getting from the listeners point of view the feeling, is it Johnny's turn? Willie? Another words, as singers you know they're individuals, but it's an album. The songwriting seems to emphasize that they're modern day cowboys maybe briefly escaping in some kind of dream or possibly living in a country town that lacks cable, where life is more simple and you can still ride a horse. Whatever it is, the songs are outstanding with good album continuity. Maybe some other music stars working together have equaled "The Highwaymen", but none have exceeded them. If I had one nit-pick complaint, it's the cd mix which lacks a midrange. The vocals are all there, but the music especially on the opening title track, seems so distant.

Waylon Jennings had already recorded one duet album with Johnny Cash and two with Willie Nelson, quite apart from various duets on other albums, so the teaming up of all three for this album was not a surprise, nor was the addition of Kris Kristofferson, since the other three had each recorded several of his songs. On this album (and the other two they later did), they mostly take turns at singing. If you're looking for harmony singing, you won't find much here.

As the title might suggest, the songs generally reflect on independent, free spirited people. They are mostly covers, drawn from a diverse selection of songwriters including Bob Seger (Against the wind), Woody Guthrie (Deportee), Steve Goodman and John Prine (The twentieth century is almost over), Paul Kennerley (Welfare line), Guy Clark (Desperadoes waiting for a train), Jimmy Webb (Highwaymen), Ed Bruce (Last cowboy song) and Cindy Walker (Jim I wore a tie today). There are also a couple of Johnny Cash oldies - Big river and Committed to Parkview.

Fans of any of the four singers need no prompting from me to buy this brilliant album, although UK buyers should note that it has been re-issued in Britain as part of a twofer with Highwaymen 2 titled Highwaymen collection, using the cover design of the American compilation, Super hits.

I have listened to the Highwaymen many a time and I have become very fond of thier music. I typically listen to Alternative rock, and classic rock...and I have found this foursome to be very entertaining in many aspects. Each song boasts a different perspective from each of the men. The fact that the voices dont "gel" together only enriches the songs. It is clear that the crtic above had already made up his mind about C & W music and did not afford this cd the time it deserves.

Like the protagonist in the title song, this music is timeless, and not confined by the standard genres and labels.

4 icons of late 20th century American music who did things their way, and who embraced the outlaw mindframe to the benefit of their listeners, got together to create one for the ages.

The Last Cowboy Song is my favorite track. The music is evocative of days gone by, music that you might hear in an old western movie. Another piece of America lost, indeed.