Honky Tonk Heroes

Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver, Kris Kristofferson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 15, 2000)
• Original Release Date: February 15, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Free Falls Ent.
• ASIN: B00004LMAS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,241 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Honky Tonk Heroes (Like Me)

2. Willie the Wandering Gypsy and Me

3. I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal

4. Ain't No God in Mexico

5. You Asked Me To

6. Oklahoma Wind

7. I Couldn't Be Me Without You

8. Tramp on Your Street

9. Ride Me Down Easy (A.K.A. Easy Come Easy Go)

10. We Are in Cowboys

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

What started out as a chance for Billy Joe Shaver to revisit some of his classic songs ended up as a real Outlaw hootenanny. Recorded over a period of years at Nelson's Pedernales Studio, this Honky Tonk Heroes (now the third record of Shaver songs with that same title) doesn't include the definitive versions of these 10 compositions--those can be found on Waylon's 1973 landmark Honky Tonk Heroes or on the Shaver compilation Honky Tonk Heroes or on singles by any number of country stars who rode Shaver's songs to the charts. Still, these readings have their own unique charms, mostly in the camaraderie and the exuberance of the iconoclastic quartet, not to mention some gritty guitar from Shaver's son (and album coproducer) Eddy. And it's always a treat to hear Willie sing and his guitar Trigger solo over such bedrock American music. If banding with higher-profile friends sheds light on the unjustly unheralded Billy Joe Shaver and his straightforward songwriting genius, then it is a worthy project indeed. --Marc Greilsamer

Product Description

Billy Joe wrote many of the greatest country songs of the '70s for artists like Waylon Jennings and Johnny Rodriguez-here are Billy's own versions of I Couldn't Be Me Without You; You Ask Me To; Ride Me Down Easy; Old Five and Dimers Like Me; Honky Tonk Heroes , and more of his Capricorn recordings, plus some ultra-rare tracks-25 songs in all! --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good overall, March 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Honky Tonk Heroes (Audio CD)

First of all...if you do not have Waylon's 1973 "Honkytonk Heroes" CD...go get it before you buy this. This CD is fine - and at points it is really very good. But I think it would have worked better as a Waylon & Billy Joe album or a Willie & Billy Joe album...Kris Kristoferson voice is just gone. Many of the songs are rolling along fine, until you hear Kristoferson's mumbled and garbled singing. He was never a crooner, but his voice has not aged well to boot. On the other hand, Willie, Waylon, and Billy Joe all sound great.

I don't think these are the best versions of these songs, but it is worth a listen and certainly better than much of what is created in country music today.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fans of these performers will enjoy this., May 2, 2000

By 

"mitchiedoo" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Honky Tonk Heroes (Audio CD)

Willie Nelson,Waylon Jennings,Kris Kristofferson, no Johnny Cash but in his stead Billy Joe Shaver,of whom I had known very little, and his compositions.Could work as a fourth "Highwayman" album and with justification. The opening track"Honky Tonk Heroes" does not disappoint although I preferred the original "Outlaws" version. I disagree with the reviewer who thought Kris Kristofferson,s voice had gone I enjoy his distinctive gritty, earthy vocals....as do the individuality of all the "Heroes"and especiallyWillie Nelsons rendition of "I,m Just An Old Lump Of Coal" which was just superb and top drawer Nelson as was the "Heroes" version of "Willie The Wandering Gypsy And Me " For me the entire album is enjoyable,the beginning to the epic "Oklahoma Wind" ; the romantic yet humourous "I Could,nt Be Me Without You " to the finale of "We Are The Cowboys" which would definately not have been out of place on any " Highwaymen "set from start to finish. Fans of any of these performers will know what they expect and like me I,m sure thet will not be disappointed,not a bad track and a few that could compare with most.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Four True Honky Tonk Heroes, March 5, 2000

By 

Bob Liberatore (Ridley Park, Pa. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Honky Tonk Heroes (Audio CD)

Waylon Jennings. Willie Nelson. Billy Joe Shaver. Kris Kristofferson. You just know these guys have tipped a bottle or two. And you know you can believe everything they sing. Fans of the above mentioned Honky Tonk Heroes have heard these songs before and maybe better versions exist but this CD is a treat nevertheless.