Ol' Waylon

by Waylon Jennings

Overview

Ol' Waylon was released when Waylon Jennings had become a superstar. Outlaw was still popular, perhaps at its peak, but it was no longer the movement that it had been just a few short years before. As if offering proof, Waylon cut his most formulaic album since the early '60s, a record that satisfied the demands of outlaw without ever stretching them. Since this was recorded at a near-peak of not only his popularity but his power, there are some great moments on Ol' Waylon, particularly on the lead single "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)," a wonderful reminiscence of times back, "If You See Me Getting Smaller," and "I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself." The rest of the record is a little formulaic and reliant on covers, sometimes enjoyably (including a version of Kenny Rogers' "Lucille"), sometimes not as much ("Sweet Caroline" was never suited for Waylon's style). Overall, Ol' Waylon is pretty enjoyable, but it winds up feeling a little hollow, as if Jennings was trying to give the audience what it wanted. There are enough good moments to make it worthwhile, not just to the dedicated but for some casual fans enamored of the outlaw years, but it's still an album that gets by more on its style than substance. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	12/01/2009
Label:	Bmg / Bmg / Sony Music / Sony Music Entertainment
UPC:	0886974986621
Rank:	41106

Tracks

1. Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)
2. If You See Me Getting Smaller
3. Lucille
4. Sweet Caroline
5. I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself
6. Belle of the Ball
7. Medley of Elvis Hits; That's All Right\My Baby Left Me
8. Till I Gain Control Again
9. Brand New Goodbye Song
10. Satin Sheets
11. This Is Getting Funny (But There Ain't Nobody Laughing)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Waylon Jennings   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Rhythm)
Willie Nelson   Guest Artist
Carter Robertson   Vocals (Background),Vocals
Reggie Young   Guitar
Toni Wine   Vocals (Background)
Gordon Payne   Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Harrison Calloway, Jr.   Horn
Clifford Robertson   Keyboards
Steve Pippin   Vocals (Background)
Charles Rose   Horn
Johnny Christopher   Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Rhythm)
Rance Wasson   Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Ralph Mooney   Guitar,Guitar (Steel)
Jessi Colter   Vocals (Background)
Ritchie Albright   Drums,Guitar
Ronnie Eades   Horn
Larry Keith   Vocals (Background)
Harvey Thompson   Horn
Sherman Hayes   Bass

Technical Credits

Rich Kienzle   Liner Notes
Neil Diamond   Composer
Reggie Young   Composer
Harrison Calloway, Jr.   Horn Arrangements
Marshall Fallwell   Photography
Marcia McGovern   Pre-Production Director
Herb Burnette   Artwork,Concept,Graphic Design
Roberta Ballard   Production Manager
Jodi Cohen   Typesetting
Melinda Wickman   Cover Photo,Photography
Steve Hoffman   Mastering
Jimmy Webb   Composer
Jeremy Holiday   Production Assistant
Gretchen Brennison   Production Assistant
Charles Rose   Horn Arrangements
Waylon Jennings   Composer
Roger Bowling   Composer
Rob Santos   Reissue Producer
Rodney Crowell   Composer
Neil Wilburn   Engineer
Bernie Taupin   Composer
Muscle Shoals Horns   Horn Arrangements
Micheal Smotherman   Composer
Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup   Composer
Buddy Knox   Composer
Hal Bynum   Composer
Willis Alan Ramsey   Composer
Bobby Emmons   Composer
Chips Moman   Composer,Producer
Don Cobb   Engineer
Elton John   Composer
Vic Anesini   Mastering
John Volinkaty   Composer
Harvey Thompson   Horn Arrangements