Customer Reviews

Ramblin Man

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Another good Waylon Jennings album - made in Waylon's height of his popularity. This one is a good one, not as good as Dreaming My Dreams or Honkytonk Heroes...but still excellent. Memories of You and I is absolutely fantastic - as are Waylon's version of Midnight Rider and the song "The Hunger". Great record, they need to keep re-issuing his old stuff.

"The Ramblin' Man," pre-"Dreaming My Dreams" and post-"This Time," is an album that shows Waylon in both rockin' (title track, "Rainy Day Woman," "Midnight Rider," "Memories Of You And I") and more tender modes ("The Hunger," "Amanda"). It's an album that was perhaps a sign of things to come -- "Dreaming My Dreams" -- with a few tender ballads mixed with more uptempo numbers. Waylon could rock with the best of them, but he was also as good with a ballad as anyone you could ever hope to find. Put simply, he was extremely versatile.

"The Ramblin' Man" has a number of outstanding cuts in the title track, "Rainy Day Woman," "The Hunger," "Memories Of You And I," "Amanda," and my personal favourite, "Midnight Rider." This album really doesn't have any "filler" -- just prime Waylon.

Musically, Waylon plays plenty of lead guitar. He really smokes on "Rainy Day Woman" and "Midnight Rider," and he plays very tastefully on "Cloudy Days" and "Amanda." This album contains some classic Waylon guitar moments -- things that the students of his guitar style can learn a great deal from. It also features what is, I believe, the first recorded evidencee of Waylon's use of the phase shifter, the guitar effect that would shape his guitar tone later on. Vocally Waylon is, of course, stunning on this album.

"The Ramblin' Man" is another essential album. It captures that unique "Waylon sound" that Waylon became so well-known for. On this album you'll hear that sound becoming more and more like the sound that would dominate his later albums. Maybe it's not considered on-par with "Honky Tonk Heroes" or "Dreaming My Dreams" by many, but it is still a damn fine example of Ol' Waylon's incredible musical talent, and it's better than the so-called "country" that is out there today.

Meaninful songs played and sung by a man who could make you feel them. 5 stars.

One of Waylon's two great albums from 1974. This is easily one of my favorite of Waylon's studio efforts from his '70s peak. Although it doesn't sound all that much different from his other albums of this period, it is still a fantastic album with top-notch songs. I highly recommend this album for mellow evenings, poker nights or just plain relaxing.

Best Songs:

"I'm A Ramblin' Man"
"Rainy Day Woman"
"Midnight Rider"
"The Hunger"
"Amanda"

Heard this in 1974, while in the Navy. Waylon's voice was in good form and it made me feel good.

These are two songs you don't always hear on the radio or ever at all. These are great country songs. Waylon's guitar is bright and full here.

Do you like anything by Waylon? If so, you'll LOVE this! I believe this is one of his peak recordings. His version of Midnight Rider is good.

OK. Now that I'm writing this, I have to admit, this is one of my favorite country records ever. This is like pure gold. If you don't have this one, and you like real country, you are missing out.

When it comes to an artist who bestows a song with emotion and believability, Waylon Jennings ranks with the likes of Sinatra, Billie Holliday, and Judy Garland. Just listen to 'Amanda' to understand how and why he deserves to be considered among such stellar company. Could-be and would-be country music performers should get their hands on this CD and listen to it over, and over, and over again. He's just that damn good. Waylon, you're truly missed.......

One of those classic Waylon albums. Bought this at the local used record store for $4, brought it back to the house, but it on the stereo, and it sure took me for a ride. This is one of those rare albums (maybe not too rare for Waylon) on which every single song is solid, good, and pure.

This is the first time I did a song-by-song analysis in a review, but I've got some time to kill, so here goes:

"Ramblin' Man" - A foot-stompin' song with some real smooth, hardy vocals from waylon, bright, rich acoustic guitar, and heart beatin' electric guitar thumps.

"Rainy Day Woman" - A soaring song with some great harmony vocals (both by Waylon) and honky tonk electric guitar from Waylon, some beautiful lap steel. One of my favorite songs on the album. And the only one written by Waylon.

"Cloudy Days" - One of the slower, softer, songs on the album. Starts out a bit introspected and reserved. One of those songs for the individual. A confused man thinking about a confused relationship.

"Midnight Rider" - A rolling, bassy cover of the Allman Brother's classic. Waylon offers his own unique vocals to the song, with every success. The great instrumentation and production on this song takes it straight home, and lets you feel it in your heart.

"Oklahoma Sunshine" - A day-dreaming song about a man in the city thinking about the beauty of the countryside. Some of the most beautiful backing vocals I've ever heard in my life. And I'm not kidding about that.

"The Hunger" - A sad, slow, brooding song. The foundation of the song is based off of a circular acoustic guitar riff, a bass that takes its time, slow, methodic drumming, all topped with Waylon's heartfelt voice, and some beautiful orchestration.

"I can't keep my hands off of you" - A very old-fashioned sort of country love song. Beautiful lap-steel. Slow, melodic song.

"Memories of You and I" - Perhaps the highlight of the album. Amazing instrumentation. Waylon's voice is soft and strong all at once. His verses build up, only to end the chorus in a whisper, making way for the band to go on a heartfelt spiritual ride through the wonders of country music. This is a song you're going to want to hear.

"It'll be Her" - A song based on praise of a good woman giving good loving. The sound of the song mirrors this.

"Amanda" - A nice, slow song about a girl named Amanda. Has some very nice backing vocals, guitar solos, and watery keyboards. A very heartfelt song, and great way to end an album.

This album is home to 3 hit radio songs on the country charts, Ramblin' Man at #1, Amanda at #1, and Rainy Day Woman at #2. All in all, the radios could have picked any three songs of of this album, and it would have been a hit.

Quality Waylon album. Definitely worth the price. Moreso than 90 percent of the stuff you'll find on Amazon. If you have a few dollars to spare, and want a great album, this is what you're looking for.

This is the last 70's Waylon album I needed to complete my collection, I don't know why I waited until now to buy it, maybe it was the scary cover, but now that I have it, I am sorry I waited so long, it contains a class set of tunes, hard for any Waylon fan to resist, it's not his best, but this time period was near his masterpiece releases and is still a great album.