Waylon Live (Expanded Edition) [Live, Original recording remastered]

Waylon Jennings | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 16, 2003)
• Original Release Date: May 20, 2003
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Live, Original recording remastered
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000095J7S
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,039 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #93 in Music > Indie Music > Country > Country Folk

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

First released as a vinyl LP in 1976, this was always the definitive live Outlaw country set. But it was originally meant to be a double album, and the nine songs that were edited out back then now appear here (with one from the initial album now deleted). They range from "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean" (which has a shell as hard as a desert reptile) to "Never Been to Spain" (well, he always did show erratic taste in pop songs). They join such LP tracks as the slow-death "Last Letter" and the rip-snorting "I'm a Ramblin' Man." The 1970s Waylors created a crackling, propulsive sound featuring loping rock-influenced beats, guitars that alternated between meditation and back-alley snarl, and Ralph Mooney's primer on how to play pedal steel. More than ever, this is the definitive live Outlaw set. --John Morthland

Amazon.com

Sure, Waylon Jennings received the obligatory hosannas when he passed away in February of 2002, yet most of the ink seemed centered around his rebellious "Outlaw" persona, his personal battles, etc., etc. What about the music? Well, for those looking for proof of the man's musical prowess, this double-disc expanded edition of Waylon Live ought to do the trick. First released in 1976 as an 11-song LP, the album resurfaced on a single CD in 1999, adding nine tracks that were shelved when the originally intended double album was shaved down to a single vinyl disc. Now, it's a 42-track juggernaut that marvelously displays the breadth of Jennings's repertoire and the sinewy force of his Waylors. When the tapes rolled over three nights in the fall of 1974, Hoss and company were at the peak of their powers--growling menacingly at some times, purring seductively at others--with the steady, sturdy, unshakable rumble of bassist Duke Goff and drummer Richie Albright laying the groundwork and steel-guitar master Ralph Mooney vividly coloring throughout. Rest assured the 22 newly added tracks are by no means filler. On the contrary, as the set list for Waylon Live grows, so does its impact. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Waylon doin what Waylon did best - 42 trax -- LIVE!!, May 23, 2003

By 

Waymore-Stuff "www.waylon.com / www.myspace... (Way Up North...) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Waylon Live (Expanded Edition) (Audio CD)

Waylon Jennings & The Waylors - Texas - Sept, 1974 - three
nites of live recording - FIFTY trax......

RCA released a single LP with 11 of 'em in '76
BUDDHA gave us 9 more in '99

On May 20th - RCA Heritage gave us what we've been waiting for all these years. The original 20 trax that Waylon envisioned for his double LP....PLUS 22 previously unreleased trax.

This is Waylon doin what he did best - FORTY-TWO trax on 2 CD's.

These recordings capture Waylon in the beginning of what would become his prime - and was he on!

You'll hear new releases of the day such as Honky Tonk Heroes, Amanda, and This Time mixed with some of his re-worked material from his early days with RCA (Stop The World & Let Me Off; Anita You're Dreaming) - along with some old standards for good measure (Me n Bobby McGee; Big Ball in Cowtown; House of the Rising Sun). Each and every one of these 42 trax.......regardless of the songwriter or original artist.....fully "Waylon-ized" in a way only he could achieve.

It's all here, everything we came to love about Waylon: his voice.....his humor.....that unmistakable TELECASTER!!.....his Waylors, who at the time consisted of The Great Ralph Mooney on steel (the foot that made Haggard famous); Richie Albright and his famous kick drum; Duke Goff on bass; Billy Ray Reynolds on guitar; Larry Whitmore on 12 string and Roger Crabtree on harmonica.

The only negative aspect of this collection is the 28 1/2 years it has taken to get it completely from the can onto the shelves.

The liner notes and ne'er before seen pix alone are well worth the price of admission.

Usually, performances this powerful aren't captured on record. This time, they were.

From the liner notes by Rich KIENZLE, May 2003:

"The studio was one type of canvas for Waylon; the stage was entirely different, and the crowds seemed to pump him up every time, even near the end. On January 5th & 6th, 2000 -- two years before shaking his mortal coil -- he recorded another live album at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium with guest shots by Jessi, Montgomery Gentry, Travis Tritt and John Anderson. Energized by his audience, he gave a performance so spirited and fiery that it belied his failing health.

This collection incorporates the original WAYLON LIVE LP plus 22 additional tunes from the tapes of those three electrifying nights. Hearing him in his prime, ripping, rocking and roaring nonstop, you might conclude that had Waylon never recorded another note, these incendiary, visceral performances would remain a monument to the genius at the essence of the man himself: pure, unadorned and audacious.

Not to mention thoroughly badassed."

Get yours today then help spread the word. Together we can give Waylon one more Gold record.

Waylon Jennings
1937.06.15 - 2002.02.13
A vagabond dreamer, a rhymer and singer of songs.
A revolutionary in country music.
Beloved by the world.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Waylon Live - Buy This Album, June 3, 2003

By 

Joe Nasty (Hooks, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Waylon Live (Expanded Edition) (Audio CD)

This album showcases each instrument so well. The steel guitar solos will give you chills. The songs range from rockin' country to slower and mellow songs which are soothing to the ear. If you want to see why Waylon Jennings is a legend, listen to this CD and you will find out very quickly.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definition of "essential"...., September 5, 2003

By 

Casey Newbold - Kerr (Melbourne, Australia.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Waylon Live (Expanded Edition) (Audio CD)

If asked to provide a definition for pefection in music, I'd play this CD. It's rough around the edges, and it sure as hell ain't polished, but that's what makes it perfect.

Waylon is in TOP form, the Waylors rock, and the sound is MILES ahead of the terrible sounding 1999 version. The '99 version is clipped and distorted sounding. This version, however, was mastered by Vic Anesini, who has a monster reputation in the business for great sounding mastering... and this is no exception! It's open and pure sounding. The remix is great... which is rare. It doesn't feel like it was mixed after the fact -- it pans things like they did back then, and it doesn't have that modern, ultra-compressed/limited sound that the '99 reissue had. Put simply, the sound is killer. (And I am a sound engineer and an audiophile of sorts.)

The new songs make this feel much more "live" than the original "Waylon Live." Granted, most Waylon shows, until the later years, went for 45-55 minutes but, especially in the early '70s, there was a great feel to the music that really set it apart from the studio recordings. It had a looser, more fun feel to it... and Waylon filled in all the lead guitar himself, which is a major bonus.

There is no Waylon release that is more essential than this one. The best live album you'll ever hear... no doubt.

Do yourself a favour and buy this... now.