Customer Reviews

Clean Shirt

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Waylon and Willie recorded several albums together, but some of them were made up of a mix of duets with solo tracks by one but not the other for contractual reasons. They did one for Waylon's label that included a mix of duets and Waylon solos (WWII) followed by one for Willie's label (Take it to the limit) that included different duets and some Willie solos.

On this album, they were both on the same label so they share equal billing, as it should be. Furthermore, they were both going out of fashion with country radio so they could record what they wanted, not being expected to produce hit singles. Free of contractual obligations and other pressures, Waylon and Willie recorded what I consider to be their best ever album together - even better than the first one they did back in the seventies.

The album is built around the concept of looking back on the past. In the opening track, they debate whether to head over the Mexican border and have a good time as they used to when they were young. The song titles of some of the other songs - I could write a book about you, Old age and treachery, Two old sidewinders, The good old nights, Put me on a train back to Texas - give you a clear idea of what this music is about.

Of the albums they did together, this is my favorite. Of course, they also worked on other projects together, including three albums as members, with Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson, of the Highwaymen. There was also the original Outlaws album, featuring Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser.

If you enjoy any of their other music together, you really ought to listen to this Waylon and Willie album. It is frequently overlooked but deserved to be much more successful than it actually was.

Tracks

If I could find a clean shirt
I could write a book about you
Old age and treachery
Two old sidewinders
Trying to outrun the wind
The good old nights
Guitars that won't stay in tune
The makings of a song
Put me on a train back to Texas
Rocks from rolling stones

This reunion of the outlaws is actually better than anything they ever did in years gone by. Anyone with a brother will think that "I could write a book about you" is one of the classic Willie songs of all time. And I know almost every song Willie has ever put on an album. I own 23 Willie tapes and I play "Clean Shirt" more than any other, except for "Greatest hits and some that will be.."

Excellent example of Waylon and Willie at their best. The songs bring up excellent imagery and the feeling they put into the lyrics almost makes you feel like you were there. Just two good friends rehashing the good old days

This album takes the listener step by step through all the stages of every relationship ever had between a man and a womn!.. Love it.. just wish that Cash and Kristofferson had helped with it!

This album paints a picture of Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings through their music. Probably one of my favorite albums by either artist. I got the impression while listening (probably intentional on their part) that they were two old men trying to one-up each other on the dating scene, and talking to each other over whiskey somewhere. Their humor comes out through the music too, and it is as if the listener is invited to share their private jokes.