Tag Archives | Waylon Jennings

Album Review: Waylon: The Music Inside Vol. II

Waylon: The Music Inside Vol. IIIn December, Focus was able to cover the Waylon Jennings Tribute at the SiriusXM station in Nashville promoting the new tribute Album, “Waylon: The Music Inside Vol. II.” Well, now we got a chance to finally hear it! And it’s everything a true country fan could hope for.

Blending classic Waylon tunes with more contemporary production, the album features 11 songs covered by some great country names. Each artist pays wonderful tribute to the legend, while making the song distinctively his or her own.

One highlight of the album includes Mama by Jessi Colter, a heartfelt song she performed at the tribute that almost had Bocephus choking up. Jewel covers a beautiful version of Dreaming My Dreams with You, and Colt Ford puts his own rap spin on Only Daddy That Will Walk the Line.

Other standouts include Lonesome, Onry, and Mean by Dierks Bentley, I Ain’t Livin’ Long Like This by Justin Moore, and Love of the Common People by Josh Thompson. Each of these sounds as though the artist cut the original. I could certainly hear any of these songs making their way into these artist’s respective set lists.

Albums like this are a great way to introduce contemporary country fans to music they may not listen to. Sure, country has transformed over the years, but what better way to bridge the gap between the newer material and the material that paved the way. Not to mention, we’re keeping Waylon’s memory alive and well.

The album will be available for pre-order January 24, and in-stores February 7.

Waylon: The Music Inside Vol. II track listing: 

1. Lonesome, Onry, and Mean – Dierks Bentley

2. Waymore’s Blues – Hank Williams Jr.

3. Good Ol’ Boys (Dukes of Hazzard Theme Song) – Montgomery Gentry

4. I Ain’t Livin’ Long Like This – Justin Moore

5. Bob Willis is Still the King – Jack Ingram

6. Only Daddy That Will Walk the Line – Colt Ford

7. Rainy Day Woman – Pat Green

8. Love of the Common People – Josh Thompson

9. Mama – Jessi Colter

10. Dreaming My Dreams With You – Jewel

Bonus Track

11. A Long Time Ago – Wyatt McCubbin

Comments { 0 }

Outlaw Country: A Waylon Jennings Tribute at the SiriusXM Theater

Waylon Jennings

Photo credit: Laralyn Drew

It has been almost 10 years since Waylon Jennings left us, but his music is still as influential as ever. On Tuesday, December 6, SiriusXM presented a special taping honoring Waylon Jennings and promoting the new album Waylon: The Music Inside Vol. II’. The event at the SiriusXM Theater in the Bridgestone Arena featured several acts including Josh Thompson, Jamey Johnson, Waylon’s widow Jessi Colter, and son Shooter Jennings. Also in the house – and rowdy as ever – was Waylon’s old friend Hank Williams Jr. For the taping, each took turns playing Waylon favorites, sharing cherished memories of the late outlaw, and recapturing the magic of the tribute albums.

“At first, I didn’t want anyone to sing these songs but [Waylon],” said Colter about the tribute albums. “But these people love these songs… I couldn’t be prouder.”

The show had the element of a songwriter’s round, only with intermittent anecdotes about the country legend. For the softer, heart-felt numbers some artists on stage closed their eyes and sang along, embracing the powerful lyrics imparted by Jennings. On the faster, hell-raisin’ tunes, the entire studio audience began to clap and sing along, with Johnson frequently providing impromptu lead guitar licks.

Also present at the event were radio personality Carl P. Mayfield and legendary producer and songwriter Cowboy Jack Clement who both shared funny stories of Jennings. Mayfield recounted when Waylon stole his watch, wrapped it, and gave it back to him as a gift while on the air; and Clement reminisced about the time Waylon utilized dynamite to retaliate against a particularly difficult venue.

Josh Thompson and Jamey Johnson were two of the younger acts that had not known the music icon personally, yet have been strongly influenced by his music. Johnson references the man more than once, including in his song “Between Jennings and Jones”, while Thompson penned his own underground hit “Blame It On Waylon”.

Waylon Jennings

Photo credit: Laralyn Drew

“[This] was very inspiring and nerve-racking,” said Thompson about being included with the others on Vol. II. “They played with the man… I wanted to make some changes [to the song], and I wasn’t sure what they would think, but they really embraced it.”

One such artist who “played with the man” was Bocephus himself. A longtime friend of Jennings, Williams Jr. had nothing but funny and fond memories to share, frequently comparing Jennings to his own father, Hank Williams Sr.

“It was daddy and him,” said Williams when asked about where Jennings ranks among the all-time greats. “That man was the hoss right there.”

Between the country music veterans, the new wave of outlaws, and the simple admirers, it was an event filled with great music and fond memories. Certainly, it was an outpouring of love for the late Jennings, but it was also a tribute to the music that has changed lives and transcended generations. If Vol. II is as powerful as Vol. I, country music fans young and old are in for a superbly put together treat.

Comments { 0 }

Glen Templeton: New Black River Recording Artist

I recently had the opportunity to meet and listen to some music by new Black River recording artist, Glen Templeton, inside the offices of Black River Entertainment.  He was just signed to Black River Entertainment this past summer. Continue Reading →

Comments { 0 }
Verified by MonsterInsights