Collectors Choice’s 2009 two-fer combines
Waylon and
Singer of Sad Songs, two
Jennings LPs from 1970, onto one CD. Both albums find
Waylon pushing somewhat at the restraints of Nashville’s studio system, as he starts to rock a little bit harder -- the former contains
Chuck Berry’s “Brown Eyed Handsome Man,” the latter
the Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Woman” -- and finds risky, ambitious material to sing, including
Tom Rush’s “No Regrets” and
Tim Hardin’s “If I Were a Carpenter,” while picking unconventional tunes from
Merle Haggard (“All of Me Belongs to You”) to sing. Both records are moodier than those on
Love of the Common People/Hangin’ On, and are tougher, too, all without departing from the lush tapestry of stringed instruments and harmonies that distinguish
Jennings’ RCA works. Again, it’s possible to hear where Waylon wanted to go -- to hear the roots of
Honky Tonk Heroes -- but there is considerable appeal in the friction between his increasing rebellion and Nashville’s conservative ways, an appeal that’s plainly evident on both of these strong LPs.
–
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi