Customer Reviews

Wwii

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

 

 

Though this is a well-produced album, it suffers a little too much from the "hollywood-ization" of early-80's country music. "Mr. Shuck and Jive", written by Jimmy Webb, would be first-rate if he hadn't done virtually the same thing with "MacArthur Park" some 15 years earlier. W&W exhibit their consummate professionalism, outclassing virtually every country performer of their time. But one has to judge this album on W&W's own high standards, and this, even with 4 stars, falls a bit short due to the overdubs, somewhat insipid material ("Lady in the Harbor", "May I Borrow...", "Write Your Own Songs" [especially annoying because it sounds as if they're purposefully trying to stick it to management, when management released the song, anyway]). Covers of "The Year that Clayton Delaney Died", "The Last Cowboy Song", and "Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay" work well. Overall, a great album by most standards, but mediocre when put against other projects by the pair, either individually or as a duo.

Unfortunately this is nowhere near as great as their earlier effort "Willie And Waylon", released around 1976. Most of the material here are overblown pop covers the likes of Jimmy Webb's "Mr Shuck And Jive" and Otis Redding's "Sittin' At The Dock Of The Bay". If you haven't already, pick up on "Willie and Waylon", (recently reissued and unabridged) or the outstanding "Outlaws" collection, featuring Tom Paul Glasser and Jessie Coulter. This one is spotty at best and recommended only for die-hard fans.