Search - Waylon Jennings :: Ramblin Man / This Time / Dreaming My

Perfect introduction to Waylon and acquire these albums

Thomas Aikin | San Diego, CA | 07/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a slow convert to a country fan. I bought my first Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline record probably six years ago. I only came around to the Outlaw stuff recently. My loss. These Waylon Jennings albums aren't so different from some of the more country leaning rock albums of the time. Waylon had an amazing voice and was a great interpreter of songs, he also is one of the few country stars who should be heard on an album to album basis, rather than singles. Here are three of finest from the classic Outlaw period bundled together for a good price. This Time is probably the mellowest of three, and features several great takes on Willie Nelson songs. Its an indisputable classic. Dreaming My Dreams is equally revered and perhaps Jennings' most avowedly Outlaw leaning album. Finally, Ramblin' Man is the most outwardly rockingly and grandiose. It doesn't tend to get quite the accolades of the other two but to me is every bit as good. On it as polar opposites is one the finest uptempo Country songs (Rainy Day Woman) and the most heartbreaking ballad (Amanda). Its also important that this "boxed set" is merely a package of the three albums as they're not haphazardly thrown on two CDs, brekaing up the flow. Finally, the bonus tracks scattered across the albums gives one an idea of just how diverse of music Waylong was putting out during this period. If you're going to become a Waylon you're going to need all of thse albums eventually. This is the most efficient way to do it. Essential."

Waylon from 1973 to 1975

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 04/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This double-CD is made up of three original albums, plus some tracks that were recorded but never released, most of which were Buddy Holly covers. Some of these eventually appeared in a medley on another Waylon album, I've always been crazy.The first album, This time, shows a strong Willie Nelson influence. Willie wrote four of the songs (Pick up the tempo, Heaven or hell, It's not supposed to be that way and Walkin'), while he has also recorded at least two of the others (Slow moving outlaw and If you could touch her at all). The title track provided Waylon with his first number one country hit.The second album, Rambling man, contains some interesting songs, especially Midnight rider (a cover of a Gregg Allman songs) and Amanda (first recorded by Don Williams), a song that eventually became a country number one when it was released as a single several years later in 1979. In 1974, I'm a rambling man was Waylon's second country number one, while Rainy day women (written by Waylon himself) just missed out, peaking at number two. Other notable songs such as Oklahoma sunshine, Cloudy days, It'll be her and The hunger make this one of Waylon's finest albums ever.The third album, Dreaming my dreams, is another high-quality album. You might even prefer it to Rambling man, but in any case, there's not much to choose between them for quality. Although the title track was a top ten country hit, the album's most famous songs are the two odes to past legends - Are you sure Hank done it this way (a country number one) and Bob Wills is still the king. Also worthy of mention are I recall a gypsy woman (originally a British top 20 pop hit for Don Williams, but not released as a single in America), The door is always open (a country number one for Dave and Sugar) and Let's turn back the years (an obscure Hank Williams song).So, this collection brings together three of Waylon's finest albums and several previously unreleased tracks. If you are unfamiliar with Waylon's music, you might be better to buy RCA country legends, a double-CD containing all his big hits, but for those wanting to buy his original albums, it doesn't get any better than this."

Triple shot of prime Waylon

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 10/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"BMG U.K.'s 2-disc set pulls together three prime Jennings LPs: 1974's "This Time" and "The Ramblin' Man" and 1975's "Dreaming My Dreams." Though he'd recorded fine albums before, and would record more in following years, this triple-shot represents the core of Jennings time as an outlaw country artist, and an unmatched trifecta. "This Time" has a slightly muted energy, almost as if Jennings was taking a breath between the outburst of "Honky Tonk Heroes" and the pair of albums that would follow. This is the most soulful and introspective mood Jennings ever got down on record, and the presence of Willie Nelson (as writer of four songs, co-producer and electric guitarist) is strongly felt throughout.



"The Ramblin' Man" expands on the unruly outlaw spark of "Honky Tonk Heroes," and the follow-on "Dreaming My Dreams" combines the best aspects of its predecessors - both irascible and soulful. This third LP is the most eclectic of the lot, ranging from Jennings' hardcore country anthems ("Are You Sure Hank Done it This Way?" "Bob Wills is Still the King") to the Jack Clement scored strings of the title tune. Ralph Mooney's fine steel playing is heard throughout all three albums, each of which is filled with hits and equally worthy album sides.



This double-CD also includes most of the bonus tracks that appeared on BMG's U.S. reissues, including the five tracks recorded in 1973 with Jerry Allison and Sonny Curtis of the Crickets. Completists might opt for the individual CDs (specifically to get two more bonus tracks: "All Around Cowboy" and "Ride Me Down Easy"), but you'd be hard to beat this collection's triple-shot of prime Jennings, complete with detailed liner notes and credits and several choice photos. [©2005 hyperbolium dot com]"