The Essential Waylon Jennings

Looks like ol' Hoss has gotten an upgrade... Personally, I'm still partial to the original "Essential" best-of from 1996 -- it's just so well programmed and compact -- but hey, if they wanna throw a new, 2-CD set our way, with twice as much stuff, that's dandy, too. This collection hews pretty closely to Waylon's RCA glory years, when he recorded immortal outlaw classics like "Are You Ready For The Country," "Just Pretend I Never Happened," "Lonesome, On'ry And Mean," "Wurlitzer Prize" and "Waymore's Blues..." This set doesn't dig as deep or go as far afield as the recent "Nashville Rebel" box... It's a nice, affordable midway point between the two, a strong introduction to one of country music's most charismatic, smoulderingly sexy performers, packed with one great, bluesy tune after another. This is likely to be the standard best-of set for years to come: if you're new to the Waylon Jennings sound, this collection oughtta knock your socks off.

In the wake of the fifth anniversary of Jennings' passing (and the 70th anniversary of his birth), a number of archival sets have recently hit the shelves. First out was the magnificent four-CD, multi-label spanning "Nashville Rebel" box set. This was quickly followed by a fascinating video compilation under the same title. Now up are a pair of new projects, the triple-disc "Never Say Die: The Final Concert Film" collection and this 42-track two-CD compilation.

As has been pointed out for similar single- and double-disc set, there's just not enough space on a couple of discs to capture every track that every fan feels is essential. nor paint a detailed portrait of Jennings lengthy recording career. The best that can be expected is to hit the highlights and hits, and flesh out some of the shadows with select album cuts. Further, these sets aren't meant to break new ground or provide previously unreleased tidbits for collectors. They're perennials used to renew shelf space...Read more

HOSS...Waylon Jennings was like rolling thunder coming out of Texas in the very early seventies. The original Nashville rebel, doing it his way!!
This collection of songs from the notorious RCA prime years is pure "smokin" BASS-heavy Renegade outlaw Country, that few others to this day could match! With that deep baritone voice & growl, "ole Waylon" could let out a bark that could send the devil packin'!! This set leaves out none of the greats from that day, including several songs that have not been included on previous collections - such as "lonesome, o'nry & mean", and "honky-tonk heroes"! And the song order of these remastered "gems" is un-matched as well. You can't go wrong w/ this set, unless you purchase his boxed-set. I also recommend Waylon's comlete MCA years set as well.