Disco de Waylon Jennings: “Never Say Die: Live”

I guess I had a very lucky day yesterday .... I got an advanced copy of the new Waylon Jennings album Never Say Die - Live!! With the Waylon singing up a storm and the Waymore Blues Band jamming away in the background, this album is destined to be a new classic!!

Once again Waylon delivers the goods! The rich and powerful vocals delivered by Waylon (with a little help from his Waymore Blues Band) on this album illustrate why he is one of the finest singers and most enduring performers of all time - in any music genre. The title track "Never Say Die" (a personal favorite) is a clear sign that Waylon has not lost his touch for a litte hard driving music .... 5 minutes of pure country ROCK!! Waylon's interpretation of the Dobie Gray classic, "Drift Away", is a refreshing rendition and brings this classic up to date. One of Waylon's newly penned songs "Nothing Catches Jesus by Surprise" offers a soulful and thought provoking tale of loves journey. Waylon's remake of "Never Been to Spain" sounds like another brand new song (another rocker), especially with the 11 member Waymore Blues Band thrown in the mix. The remainder of the album offers a well balanced mix of old and new material .... something for those that delight in the old Waylon standards .... and something for those looking to hear Waylon expand his repertoire. Mrs. Waylon Jennings (Jessi Colter) also gets in a few licks and shows off her great voice .... what a little angel!! Waylon still has that great voice that projects a soulful and rich emotion that is missing in much of todays music. He may not play the guitar like in the old days, but his voice is like a fine wine - it keeps getting better with age. The "new hats" could definitely learn a thing or two form this veteran of country music!!

The Waymore Blues Band is just outstanding!! A finer group of musicians has yet to be assembled, with hats off to Robby Turner (pedal steel) and Reggie Young (electric guitar) .... 2 of Nashville's finest pickers. And the rest are top notch players as well - a truly awesome group!! The vocals provided by Carter Robertson, Barney Robertson and Rance Wasson add a tremendous complimentary accompaniment to Waylon's lead vocal efforts. On several occasions, these folks take the lead .... and do so proudly!! For a "live" recording, the band brings a fantastic sound quality that would be hard to top in a studio effort!! I wasn't sure about the newest musical addition, however, I kind of like the fresh sound the horn section adds to the mix. I'll have to admit, I never really expected the outlaw Waylon Jennings to ever have a horn section in the band, but it does indeed add a nice touch. It also goes to show the creativity and expressiveness Waylon has towards his music .... he is not afraid to go out on a limb now and again (for the sake of good music)!

Well, enough said. Never Say Die - Live is another AWSOME Waylon Jennnings CD ..... definitely well worth the wait for this ol' boy!! And I will be trying my best to wear it out by playing it again and again and again!! I hope the sales go well so ol' WAYLON will be inspired to continue with his efforts to make more music and albums. Every home outta have at least one of them!!! The legendary outlaw still has a lot of music to bring to the world, let's hope he continues!!

Thanks

Chinook

p.s. Thank You Mr. Waylon Jennings and the Waymore Blues Band for the latest and greatest album!!!

Waylon Jennings was never very conventional and this is sure not conventional country. A heavy dose of brass and some screeching girl singers back him up. (Pardon me for thinking that at his age he needs all the help he can get.) I like most of the songs, but I don't think the "guest stars" add much of anything. Wife Jessie Colter, however, is excellent on her signature song, "I'm not Lisa" and they do a nice duet. Waylon does some heavy duty rocking on some tracks. My only real complaint with the CD is that too many of the songs are old, familiar rock and roll favorities. A more adventurous selection of songs would have made the music fresher. But, Waylon is still pretty good.

I don't take criticizing Waylon lightly. I own just about EVERY item he has recorded, literally. This CD is worth buying for the simple fact that it is his last and for that we are all very sad but if you are a hardcore Waylon fan, this is not the CD for you. If not for his incredible talent, this CD would be horible. Waylon comes full circle. After leaving Nashville and inventing his own sound, here at the end, he returns with a horn section? Travis Tritt? Recording Dobie Gray's Drift Away? Let's say its a long way from Waylon Live and The Restless Kid Live at JD's. The raw Austin sound is gone and the slick country of today invades. If you listen to his music and miss him daily like I do, this CD will not do the trick.

Waylon just gets better as time passes. After collecting his music for over 20 years, I keep finding surprises in his vocal interpretations in some of his better known hits and this album adds a couple more! The duet tracks are excellent! There's not one bad track on this CD!

Gave this as a gift to a relative who has enjoyed many, many hours of enjoyment from it. I am so happy to have purchased it and given it as a gift.