Search - Jerry Jeff Walker :: Gypsy Songman: A Life in Song

Tried and True Music

Greg Dickens | Huntsville, Texas | 12/30/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I cut my teeth on Jerry Jeff's music, and loved the way his songs could get me all pumped up and ready to romp. Then, about 15 years ago, I went to see him at a little place named Fitzgerald's in Houston. I was all excited and fired up, and seeing a lone stool and microphone on stage, knew that we were in for a boring warm-up act. A few minutes later, Jerry Jeff stepped up on the stage, sat on the stool, hooked his right heel on a rung of the stool, and asked "how y'all doin'?" I was mad because he didn't even have a band! Then he started playing and singing. It took two songs to come down and start listening. Then I just sat there mesmerized, still except for my breathing, for over three hours as I learned what music was really about. I learned that music was about communicating, educating, and sharing life's experiences.This CD took me right back to that night. With so many "polished acts" out there today, Jerry Jeff uses this CD to remind each of us what life is about... living, learning, and sharing what we know with others. If you want a "catchy chorus" with no meaning that sticks in your head and nothing else, move on. If you want music that is real, honest, and sincere enough to stir your appetite for life... this one is a "MUST HAVE"!"

Excellent new (1999) recordings of career favorites

Carey Driscoll | Spring Valley (San Diego), CA | 04/22/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The reviewer who ripped this CD is wrong on virtualy every count. First, the point of the recording was a CD of Jerry Jeff's favorite songs from his career to accompany the release of his autobiography. The songs chosen were all done live in the studio, and the playing and recording quality is excellent --clean and crisp, with the cohesiveness found on live (studio) recordings of a band that had been together for as long as these guys had.Of particular appeal is what, to me, is the definitive version of Mr. Bojangles -- done in a bouncy, jazzy, scatty arrangement that is perfect for the story told in the song, that of a tap dancing cell mate encountered in a New Orleans drunk tank.Top-notch versions of other career highlights, mostly from the more acoustic side of Jerry Jeff, include: Morning Song To Sally; Woman In Texas; She Knows Her Daddy Sings; and Little Man. This is a 60 year old man who has lived a fast and hard life (and survived it!) who is now clean, sober, and seemingly happy. Contrary to the accusation of the other reviewer that he's ripping off his fans by cramming the same songs down their throats again, what he's really doing is celebrating -- in and with song -- that survival, and recalling and paying tribute to the people and places his life has brought to him.Songwise, it ranges from very good to excellent; performance-wise, it's terrific -- very down-home and comfortable; recording quality-wise, it's as good a sounding album as you could ask for -- clean and crisp (especially appealing due to the fact that it is dominanted by acoustic guitars)."

Vintage JJW [without the alcohol (supply your own)]

DantzBachs | Atlanta, GA | 12/30/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having listened to Jerry Jeff through the years in various conditions, (both he and I,) I must say the new one sounds particularly good. Crisp, clean pickin', and the old magic is still in evidence. It'll all mean more to you if you read the book "The Gypsy Songman" first. Congrats, Scamp. Another one over the heart of the plate at 95+."