Waylon Jennings is one of the unspoken greats of 20th-century Country Music. As a singer and guitarist from the USA, he was an incredibly talented and gifted musician who reached his peak of success during the 1970s, although he had been making music for many years prior. Everything about the man, from his singing and guitar chops to his own unique Fender Telecaster, which Fender very recently issued a Fender Custom Shop model based on Waylon Jennings’s original Tele, was brilliant and fantastic. Although many audiences today care less for Country Music than they did before this century dawned, it would be foolish to ignore Waylon Jennings’s works. This album was a success upon its release, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Country Music charts and selling very well, becoming the first country LP to go platinum, with some critical acclaim as well. The album was produced by Chips Moman and was released on 1 April 1977 on RCA Victor Records. Waylon Jennings’s band consisted mainly of: Waylon Jennings (guitars and vocals); Ritchie Albright (drums), and Sherman Hayes (bass guitar), alongside many other guest musicians on this album. This included creative competitor Willie Nelson, who did backing vocals on the first track of the album, which was the lead single as well. Notably, this was not the last time that these two men joined forces, as they soon recorded an album together. In short, this album release is going to be a very important one to observe. It has 11 songs in total and runs for just over 35 minutes in length. Let’s take a listen to this chart-topping release with its iconic artwork, which is a nod to The Rolling Stones’s 1968 album, Beggar’s Banquet.

1. Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love) (feat. Willie Nelson) begins with lush, wah-wah guitar and some deep singing by Waylon Jennings. This sounds extraordinarily powerful and beautiful throughout. Waylon and Willie together sing a gorgeous song with a unique 1970s vibe about travelling to Luckenbach on a soul-searching mission with a lover. Pedal steel guitar is present here, and the whole thing sounds pretty, unique and amazing. This is genuinely natural and well-constructed Country Music that is easily lovable and powerful throughout, mentioning Country legends such as Hank Williams throughout. Willie Nelson sings some lead lines towards the end, and this tune is definitely a winner. A memorable and powerful Country Music statement. Fantastic, short and very sweet, fading out gently at the end.

2. If You See Me Getting Smaller begins with some neat piano, which sounds like a real grand piano and leads into a sweet and enjoyable tune dedicated to his friend Willie Nelson. This is a simple, gorgeous and excellently performed tune that is about pure friendship. A moving and sweet tune about magical moments in one’s life, this does sound like the sort of radio-ready Country Pop Rock that is emotionally moving. This is very lovable and listenable music. It is not the hillbilly sort of music trash that Kid Rock makes these days. In fact, it is a highly enjoyable listen with a sing-along chorus. Every single moment is precious, and the acoustic guitar playing towards the end, alongside the guitar soloing, is a sweet touch. Absolutely awesome to hear. It fades out beautifully, just like a sunset.

3. Lucille begins with a count-in, and some bass guitar and acoustic guitar. Waylon Jennings sings about a lady who was frustrated with her love life and who needs a hand. Waylon articulates this gorgeous yet sad story with a lively and energetic passion throughout. Some awesome singing is present, and this is like modern poetry about a disastrous relationship throughout which Waylon is a part. All in all, a really gorgeously fantastic and fine piece of music. Sadly, this sort of song craftsmanship is largely ignored in today’s postmodern world where AI run computer music and algorithms are taking over the world. There is a wah-wah Fender Telecaster solo present here as well, which is incredibly quacky and funky sounding. A brilliant effort musically, Waylon Jennings was certainly a master crafter of great-sounding songs. Very sweet to hear.

4. Sweet Caroline begins with some strangely tuned acoustic and other guitars, launching into a sweet and divine tune that sounds absolutely amazing and gorgeous. Waylon Jennings sings gorgeously and sweetly throughout. This is a small-town romance sort of tune with a charming and pleasant attitude about it all. Waylon Jennings proves that he has a sensibility and music passion that combines traditional Country Music with the Pop Music sensibilities of the 1970s. Absolutely sweet and beautiful, he does incredibly well on these songs. A top tune to listen to, this music is stunning, just like being head over heels in love with a person of your fancy. A very gorgeous and wonderful tune to listen to. This fades out nicely. Great effort.

5. I Think I’m Gonna Kill Myself is a proto-Nine Inch Nails song title, if you think about it. It has some very traditional and Blues Music styled guitar work. This is an odd addition to this album, and has Waylon Jennings singing about suicide. Unlike Trent Reznor’s works, this does not make you emotionally wrapped up enough to want to do so, fortunately. Instead, it makes one raise an eyebrow at this rather odd mixture of suicidal lyrics and upbeat Country Music sounds. The pedal steel slide guitar solo is glorious, as are the horns to match. Still, this is a genuinely good listen. It is the most optimistic song about suicide you will ever hear. The nimble bass guitar work throughout is very cool as well.

6. Belle of the Ball is a reference to a Disney story. It emerges with strummed acoustic guitars and Waylon Jennings singing in a blue sort of way, along with pedal steel guitar and excellent performances by all. A sweet, lovely and melancholy tune with Waylon at his best. In fact, Waylon Jennings sings like the 1970s Country version of Eric Clapton, although Clapton played Blues Rock whilst Waylon does a raw, soulful Country Music role. In any case, this is certainly a magical listening throughout, even though it is tinged with regret. Nonetheless, a very sweet listening experience about a love that won’t wash away or die. This is yet another awesome tune to hear. A very good listen, and emotionally powerful to this very day. It fades out sweetly.

7. Medley: That’s All Right Mama/My Baby Left Me is a joint Elvis Presley medley piece. It begins with some wah-wah flanger Fender Telecaster. One can clearly hear the influence of Elvis Presley throughout, and Waylon Jennings showcases the pure and rocking influence of Elvis, the Rock and Roll music legend himself. The Fender Telecaster throughout is a joy to hear, and the music is pure and powerful. The medley fits this album perfectly, and it all sounds really cool and insanely good. This is all in a sub-three-minute-long song that The Beatles would be impressed to hear if they were heavily into Country Music. A gorgeous tune, upbeat and very well played throughout.

8. ‘Till I Gain Control Again begins with some sweet slide guitar work, acoustic guitars strumming, and has Waylon Jennings singing gloriously throughout. This music is gentle, lovable and sweet, just sounding prettier than love itself or an orchid of fresh flowers. Waylon Jennings sounds deeply romantic and musically bang on in this song. A fantastically moving and powerful tune that has some beauty within it all, this album is genuine proof that some of the so-called golden oldies of the past (we are talking albums here) should never be ignored. If The Beatles are still mentioned regularly in music circles today, so should be albums such as this one. This is undeniably gorgeous as a song, and Waylon Jennings sounds very heartfelt on this particular tune. The mixture of strummed acoustic guitars, pedal steel slide guitar, female backing vocals and Waylon’s presence is absolutely awesome. It has a lovely extended outro that sounds deep and meaningful. Superb, all the way through from start to finish.

9. Brand New Goodbye Song is a wacky listen from the start lyrically. It is a really cool ode to the guitar, in fact. It sounds musical, magical and awesome throughout. This short and super sweet number is really awesome. Waylon Jennings mixes lust and energy throughout this song. An absolutely passionate and tuneful piece of music. This isn’t the most musical revolutionary album, but for its obviously mainstream Country Music nature, it makes up for the sheer consistency of all the songs on this album. In any case, Waylon Jennings sings his heart out to his lady, mixing his Fender Telecaster playing and chops into it all very nicely. A golden oldie.

10. Satin Sheets begins with pounding piano work that sounds joyous and upbeat. Drums enter, and Waylon Jennings sings about having enough money to begin a Rock and Roll career and womanising to the nth degree. An awesome listen, this has a fine passion to it all, with some female backing vocals that sound great. One cannot help but feel that Waylon himself was thinking about the Eagles album Hotel California (1976) when making his own album. In any case, the music and performances are wonderfully solid to listen to. Upbeat, sweet and pretty, this refers to being a famous musician and actor when loaded with cash. Wishful thinking, but likely realistic for Waylon Jennings. Another good song is present here.

11. This Is Getting Funny (But There Ain’t Nobody Laughing) is the final song on this album. It begins with Randy Newman-style piano playing, which sounds cheerful and upbeat. Soon enough, Waylon Jennings sings away positively and vibrantly. He sings about being the joke that nobody gets with a lover, and he delivers this music statement with style and finesse. Waylon does these songs a wonderful justice. There is even a brief drum solo in this tune. A fine way to finish off a really excellent album tune, this sounds top notch and wonderful to hear. This album is a winner, and this song finishes it all off on a high note. Excellent.

Waylon Jennings proved here that he still had his music magic going, even after he had encountered some commercial success in the Country Music world. In fact, this music is so good that if you dig the Eagles mammoth landmark release Hotel California (1976) and you would like to hear something similar, but closer to pure Country Music, this should be your next step. Should you listen to this album? It’s a very good idea if you want to hear one of the best Country Rock albums of the 1970s. Fans of most genres of Metal will not appreciate this, however.

Superb.

9/10