Shooter has unequivocally returned the favor. After being knighted music royalty after growing up the son of his father Waylon, Shooter has given all of us a gift- Waylon Forever.Over six years after his father's passing, Shooter Jennings has brought forth 8 recordings that were done back in 1995 when Waylon asked his son to collaborate on an album. He explains the reasoning for it, "I'd been playing my dad the music I was inspired by at the time. Whether it was Nine Inch Nails, Skinny Puppy, Pink Floyd or Cream, he really enjoyed being a part of my musical journey. It was then he suggested we do an album together." Shooter goes on, "With 20 or so songs we went into the studio to cut vocals and overdubs. He was so excited for us doing a record together, constantly pushing himself and coming up with new ideas. I was so nervous but he was calm as a gunslinger." But being only 16 years old at the time, the recordings were shelved aside until he was able to deal with this father's death and do the rough recordings justice. That time is now. In an interview with Billboard Magazine, he goes on to say, "Thank you to modern technology. It doesn't sound like we dug up some vocals that had always been there and we had to do magic to make it sound new. It's all about bringing my musical side of everything I do around him and creating this completely different but acceptable space that he fits in."
With Waylon's career spanning for four decades including 50 studio albums, 16 number one singles, four Country Music Awards, a Grammy and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, it seems only appropriate that time was taken for this incredible last posthumous release. Shooter has done his dad proud.While many of the eight songs on Waylon Forever will be familiar to older Waylon fans, including the concert regulars "Jack of Diamonds," "Lonesome, Orn'ry and Mean" and "Waymore's Blues," there are some new gems- ideas that Shooter has brought to the table. The first is "Outlaw S***," a remake of a 70's recording "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out Of Hand." On the new recording, the song has been slowed down and given haunting string arrangements. It's much more moving and rich than the original version- a feat very difficult indeed.
The inclusion of Shooter's band, the .357's, as backing musicians on the recording makes this album unlike any other Waylon release, but much more like seeing him live. There's a couple covers including Neil Young's "Are You Ready For The Country," Cream's "White Room" and Rodney Crowell's "Aint Livin' Long Like This." There's great electric guitar breaks- the one on Waymore's Blues is Southern Rock Country gem- but with nothing that ever breaks from truly honoring what the album is album is about. And that's celebrating a legend. For fans of classic outlaw country, it's like uncovering a long lost letter that you never knew you had.
This album is not about cashing in on a name or a pedigree for one last payout. It's a carefully crafted, deeply personal, emotional well thought out tribute to a father. And that's what probably makes this album most special of all.
This title will be released on October 21, 2008.
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