Waylon Jennings Album: “The Ramblin' Man [Remaster]”

Description :

Personnel includes: Waylon Jennings (vocals, guitar); David Kirby, Bobby Thompson, Carl Gay, Fred Newell, Billy Ray Reynolds, Larry Whitmore, John "Bucky" Wilken, Randy Scruggs (guitar); Ralph Mooney (pedal steel guitar); Tommy Jackson (fiddle); Roger Crabtree (harmonica); Bunky Keels, Kyle Lehning (piano); Joe Allen, Duke Goff, Leon Rhodes (bass); D.J. Fontana, Richie Albright (drums). Producers: Waylon Jennings, Ray Pennington, Tompall Glaser. Reissue producer: Rob Santos. Recorded at RCA Studios and Glaser Sound Studios, Nashville, Tennessee in February & July 1974. Originally released on RCA (0734). Includes liner notes by Rich Kienzle. Digitally remastered by Elliott Federman (SAJE Sound, New York, New York). RAMBLIN' MAN is a product of the most creatively fertile period in Waylon Jennings' career. In the mid-'70s, Jennings' outlaw stance was still fresh and challenging, and the records he made with his Waylors were imbued with the same energy the group put into its countless performances of the period. Jennings' rock-friendly aesthetic is advanced here by a version of the Allman Brothers' "Midnight Rider" that fits his rough-and-ready image like a glove. "The Hunger" is a lyrically sophisticated ballad reminiscent of the more introspective work of Mickey Newbury or Danny O'Keefe. "I Can't Keep My Hands Off of You" is full of the kind of assured lustiness for which Jennings' husky voice is such an effective conduit. The occasional string section or vocal obbligato may crop up, but for the most part, the Waylors play it gritty and soulful throughout RAMBLIN' MAN, providing the perfect context for Waylon's outlaw manifestos. Three bonus tracks are added to this reissue, including the poignant but unsentimental "The Last Letter," previously available only in a live version.

"The Ramblin' Man," pre-"Dreaming My Dreams" and post-"This Time," is an album that shows Waylon in both rockin' (title track, "Rainy Day Woman," "Midnight Rider," "Memories Of You And I") and more tender modes ("The Hunger," "Amanda"). It's an album that was perhaps a sign of things to come -- "Dreaming My Dreams" -- with a few tender ballads mixed with more uptempo numbers. Waylon could rock with the best of them, but he was also as good with a ballad as anyone you could ever hope to find. Put simply, he was extremely versatile.

"The Ramblin' Man" has a number of outstanding cuts in the title track, "Rainy Day Woman," "The Hunger," "Memories Of You And I," "Amanda," and my personal favourite, "Midnight Rider." This album really doesn't have any "filler" -- just prime Waylon.

Musically, Waylon plays plenty of lead guitar. He really smokes on "Rainy Day Woman" and "Midnight Rider," and he plays very tastefully on "Cloudy Days" and "Amanda." This album contains some classic Waylon guitar moments -- things that the students of his guitar style can learn a great deal from. It also features what is, I believe, the first recorded evidencee of Waylon's use of the phase shifter, the guitar effect that would shape his guitar tone later on. Vocally Waylon is, of course, stunning on this album.

"The Ramblin' Man" is another essential album. It captures that unique "Waylon sound" that Waylon became so well-known for. On this album you'll hear that sound becoming more and more like the sound that would dominate his later albums. Maybe it's not considered on-par with "Honky Tonk Heroes" or "Dreaming My Dreams" by many, but it is still a damn fine example of Ol' Waylon's incredible musical talent, and it's better than the so-called "country" that is out there today.

Meaninful songs played and sung by a man who could make you feel them. 5 stars.

Heard this in 1974, while in the Navy. Waylon's voice was in good form and it made me feel good.

When it comes to an artist who bestows a song with emotion and believability, Waylon Jennings ranks with the likes of Sinatra, Billie Holliday, and Judy Garland. Just listen to 'Amanda' to understand how and why he deserves to be considered among such stellar company. Could-be and would-be country music performers should get their hands on this CD and listen to it over, and over, and over again. He's just that damn good. Waylon, you're truly missed.......