Best of the Vanguard Years

Jerry Jeff Walker

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: March 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vanguard Records
• ASIN: B00000I8ZI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #259,069 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
At its best, Jerry Jeff Walker's '60s work mined a rich country-rock vein that would later be identified with Gram Parsons's work with the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, and as a solo artist. At its worst (with his psyche-folkin'-delic band Circus Maximus), he tapped a tepid psychedelia one associates with the Association. The contrast between the two musical approaches is startling, but it demonstrates the timelessness of Walker's solo material. This collection brings together all of his seminal 1969 album Driftin' Way of Life, from the Dylanesque comedy of "Ramblin', Scramblin'" to the quiet beauty of "Morning Song to Sally." Best of also includes a previously unreleased demo version of "Mr. Bojangles" (Walker's most famous composition, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band made it a hit several years later) and a smattering of Walker's work with Circus Maximus. Not only is this a fairly thorough look at Walker's early work, it's also a testament to his tremendous artistic growth. --Percy Keegan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good and Bad, July 11, 2001

By	thehammer (OR, USA) - See all my reviews

This CD collects the two sides of early Jerry Jeff Walker, Walker with the group Circus Maximus, and his first solo release.

The music from Circus Maximus is uneven at best and much of it has not aged well. The only memorable song from Circus Maximus was "The Wind" but that was not a Jerry Jeff song and it is not included here. What is included is, quite frankly, pretty bad.

The great stuff is from his only solo Vanguard Album, "Drifting Way of Life". Instead of purchasing this collection, you are better off owning "Drifting Way of Life".

4.0 out of 5 stars Five stars for fans; otherwise 3 - 4 stars., March 23, 2001

By	Bruce Oksol "oksol" (San Antonio) - See all my reviews

I agree with "John from Houston." I was not pleasantly surprised when I first played this CD. However, the more I play it, the more I enjoy it. But you probably have to be a real JJ Walker fan or an eclectic music fan to really enjoy it. "Bojangles" is certainly not what you would expect, but, again, after several times listening to it, I have grown to like this one -- again, remember, it was a "demo." "Louise" is also a "demo" -- I can't remember, but I think Linda Ronstadt also did "Louise." A couple really bad songs on this CD but no more than you would find on any other CD. Although I was disappointed at first, I have to admit, I would buy it again, now that I have heard it several times. (The liner notes inside are pretty lousy -- unfortunately.)
Comment

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A real disappointment., April 10, 2000

By	John (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews

I was surprised and disappointed with this over-priced CD. Not only is the album devoid of the Texas flavor I had come to know and love, but it seems to be a mish-mash of disparate melodies. Perhaps the die-hard fan will be happy with this album just because it completes the collection. But anyone purchasing it for listening enjoyment will likely be let down.