Reviews (page 2 of 7)
I'm really pleased that this album makes the cut. Coming from the 'Nashville of the North', Liverpool (UK), I am quite familiar with C&W music. Liverpool is one of the few, if not the only, cities in the UK of having had a dedicated C&W radio channel. My brothers friend was the son of the legendary Joe Butler - C&W dj. This is a great album and my stand out favourite is, 'we had it all'. 5 stars all the way!
Never heard of this one, and absolutely love it
Unexpected masterpiece of engaging songwriting. Perfection.
Two great songwriters spawned a whole movement. Johnny Cash may have the picture with the double birds, but these two did it on record. Outsider music in the country tradition has created an enduring through line to 2025. This album is why Sturgill Simpson exists. The production sounds like the Smokey bar on the cover. And those are the hard drinking, hard living cats that made it happen. I love all the songs on this album, hard guys willing to put themselves out there for the sake of the song.
I'm a Honky Tonk Hero.
This album is a 4 but I'm giving it a 5 out of spite. Too many losers on here who think Radiohead is the best to ever do it, but cringe at the thought of a country album. This is Waylon Jennings we're talking about.
Nice
It's just about all I could ask for from a classic country album. Hard-hitting yet mellow vocals, a beautiful soundscape that makes you wanna turn into a cowboy, and with some well crafted lyrics written by Billy Joe Shavers. Very solid indeed. Top 3 Favorites: You Ask Me To, Honky Tonk Heroes, and Black Rose No bad songs 4.50-4.75/5
It doesn’t get any better than this album. This is an outlaw masterpiece.
Love
Waylon was a Honky Tonk Hero
Is it a perfect album? Probably not. Is it damn good? Certainly.
I love Waylon and his brand of country. Apart from that, the songwriting here is really good and was a good listen from start to finish.
Essential country album. They don't make them like this anymore.
Loved this. Always wanted to get into Waylon but didn't know where to start. This is the place.
Day238 - i love waylon jennings and billy joe shaver wrote him a classic. ain’t no god in mexico and black rose are fantastic songs
Awesomeness
Quite possibly the most perfect country album ever.
legendary outlaw country artist waylon jennings with his signature baritone voice. what could be better? how about if you have another outlaw legend cowrite the entire album (sans one song)? this album is fuckin’ amazing and a can’t say enough about it. stellar rhythm section and waylon’s voice, so emotive. he can go from tough guy to vulnerable at the drop of a hat. so good. highlights: “honey tonk heroes” “old five and dimers like me” “low down freedom” “you ask me to” “black rose”
Honestly, some very good old country. I really love some good steel guitar playing. The high harmonies are a treat whenever they show up. The peak of the album is at the end, which I was a little confused/worried about in the middle of my listen-through, but it made the end of the album that much better. Favorite Song(s): Old Five and Dimers (Like Me), You Ask Me To, Black Rose, We Had It All
Classic country album. Essential
Great album and great rhythm section. I like the songs my favorite was You Ask Me To and the title track.
Such a great record! One of my favs. The drums sound killer, love the groove at the end of honky tonk heroes. This is peak waylon imo
Yes please. Loved this. Short, to the point and with a fuck tonne of attitude.
Vet
jaa errug gezellig
Great country. Not overdone or hokey, just quality.
What country should have always been.
Outlaw Country is basically the only kind of country I will support, and this is the OG.
The original outlaw singing songs written by the best outlaw song writer.
Gold
Hell yea. Would definitely not have been on my radar. Although Sturgill Simpson has been a recent favorite of mine and now I can clearly see a straight line from Waylon to Sturgill. Glad to have this in my rotation now.
This is why I'm doing this project. Loved it and I never would have thought I'd love a Waylon Jennings album. Fantastic in every respect.
REAL COUNTRY MUSIC I grew up in the southeastern United States, with most of my childhood in the 90s. I was surrounded by “country music” and I hated it (there were exceptions like Garth and songs here and there). I didn’t know why, it seemed fake and largely was. Years later I discovered Waylon, Willie and newer artists making interesting country music like Sturgill Simpson (Metamodern Sounds In Country Music kicked a door open for me). This is as good as it gets in country in my view. It’s beautifully short at 29 minutes, but Waylon manages to take you on a journey throughout. His voice sounds great, the playing is fantastic, and it’s hard to find a better line than “the devil made me do it the first time, the second time I did it on my own.” This is saloon music for wayward souls. Favorites: title track, Black Rose, Ain’t No God in Mexico
yee haw
have loved this album literally all of my life. It was on heavy rotation as I grew up.
Really love it !
I listen to Waylon, Willie, Chris and Johnny (the highwaymen) every day.
This music is from an age when music was well written at every level and in every aspect: lyrics, instrumentals, voice, content--before songs and tunes became entries in formulas and more focused on image instead of musical craft. These "old five-and-dimers," Cash, Jennings, Nelson, and so many others are legends for music like this.
Love this so much. Country is not high on my genre list, but his style of country hits different, and this album is just beautiful. Feels like home. Waylon is a gem.
This was a fantastic album. Waylon Jennings is perhaps the most iconic outlaw country artist and this album shows why. It is a good mix of honky tonk with ballads throughout ending with the reflective ‘We Had it All.’ Outlaw country artists operated outside of the Nashville machine which lends a stripped down and earnest feel to their music. It sounds like the truth to me.
I like Country Music and enjoy hearing the ‘real’ country singers!
Haven't spent much time listening to Waylon Jennings on his own; mostly listening to his collaboration with Willie. What a miss! This album is exactly what I look for in honky-tonk country music. Electric guitar picking, harmonica, and a driving bass line.
Absolute roller!
Who doesn't love Waylon! My Pops had me listening to his music and playing it when I was older!
What a KILLER album. Tight songwriting, great melodies and bass lines, zero superfluous songs and just long enough to leave you wanting more. This will be going on my regular rotation… INSTANT 5 stars!
I'm warming up to country and I enjoy hearing part of its history. Loved the sound on this one
Just about perfect. Short, sweet, catchy. Nobody did it like Waylon.
Danny McBride should make his next HBO series based on this album. It's probably already inspired some of his work. This is really what I think of when I hear "country rock". To think Ol' Waylon was a coin flip away from being on that plane with Buddy Holly and Richie Valens the day the music died. Not on Waylon's watch! He demanded creative control, and ultimately made the music he wanted without anyone standing in his way. I wish I could have partied with Waylon.
Really solid coh try album
I really liked this! Great outlaw country
Waylon Jennings was not part of my musical education growing up, except for the theme to "The Dukes of Hazzard." So this was the first time I really listened to his music. I'm really glad this album is in the project. I have found that the country albums that have actually made it on the list are amazing. The songwriting is perfect, and Jennings' performances as well.
I keep trying to come up with something eloquent or entertaining to say about this album, but words not go together good now. This is my first listen and I loved it. For my listening pleasure, it is a 5!!
Superb song-writing and excellent musicianship (and a very pleasing running time). Top notch!
I first heard this album at age 5 and it’s played with regularity for my entire life. Waylon Jennings' rich, unmistakeable voice is comfort food for my soul. With Billy Joe Shaver's incredible storytelling and country arrangements that stray into rock territory with electric electric guitars this album has been a lifelong education that just keeps the lessons coming. This album is packed with great lyrics. "Piano roll blues danced holes in my shoes there weren't another other way to be for them lovable losers and no account boozers and honky tonk heroes like me." "Low down freedom you done cost me Everything I'll everything I'll ever lose Lord." "The devil made me do it the first time, the second time I done it on my own." "If I hadn't been railroaded well, I guess I'da been a train." "Been a good month of Sundays and a guitar ago had a tall drink of yesterday's wine." Lovable losers and no account boozers have never felt so seen...
That was pretty cool. Started out absolutely great, lost a bit of steam towards the end but still a nice 4/5. Update: I listened to this twice and enjoyed it even more the second time. 5/5 now.
loved it, wanna be in the mountains
Brilliant outlaw country, by a member of the Highwaymen - the supergroup of the genre. I loved it, and am pleased to see Waylon get recognition as a solo artist (not just alongside his brothers in the band). Wonderful
Really aces when it comes to blending Outlaw and Honky Tonk so smoothly. And now I have 3 out of 4 of the Highwaymen (waiting for you Kris) in my Repertoire, so that is fun.
There's more country soul in this than a backwoods graveyard
Slow Rollin Low has got to be one of the best songs of all time.
5.0 + Classic country sounding so human and sweet. Jennings’ voice expresses joy and aching sorrow and all the emotions in between. And the dueling lap steel and slide guitar on “You Ask Me To” is undeniably awesome.
Even though it doesn’t have any of Waylon’s biggest hits, Honky Tonk Heroes is an excellent benchmark in a long catalogue. Its the first collaboration with Billy Joe Shaver as songwriter and it marks Waylon’s first album with full creative control. Stripped down arrangements made for an iconic sound that he and his peers would come to emulate and refine later, and come to be known as outlaw country. But this stands as one of his most consistent, with his own production work, the blueprint used throughout his career laid out in 27 minutes that stands up to repeated spins. Call it 4.5 stars, I’ll round it up.
Loved this. Reminds me of fishing with my Grandpa.
I am not the biggest fan of country music, specifically what they call country music today (some unholy blend of pop and country), but I've always had a soft spot for Waylon Jennings. Every time I listen to his music, I am immediately transported back in time to driving around in dad's old truck with him listening to Waylon on cassette. Dad loves Waylon, and has passed that admiration of his work on to me. Waylon, and specifically this album, is attributed to the start of the outlaw country subgenre. A perfect melding of rock/blues/country. This era of country was fantastic. So many amazing acts came as a direct result of the works of Waylon, Willie, Johnny, and Merle. It is insane how similar Colter Wall's voice is to Waylon's. Especially in the song Ain't No God In Mexico. Listen to that song, then listen to the song Raisin' Cotton by Colter Wall. The similarity is crazy!! Overall, I loved today's listen, and enjoyed shot of nostalgia that came with it! Favourite songs: Honky Tonk Heroes, Omaha, Black Rose, Slow Rollin' Low, Old Five and Dimers (Like Me), Low Down Freedom, Ride Me Down Easy, Ain't No God In Mexico Least favourite song: if forced to pick, Willy the Wandering Gypsy and Me 5/5
country music
Wonderful. I have very little knowledge of country music. And this is an awesome entry point.
The genesis of outlaw country. Just incredible. Best track: Honky Tonk Heroes
So I pretty much much hate all mainstream country from 1980 to now, it's absolute shit music. However I do love 70's outlaw country and I really love Waylon. This is one my favorite Waylon albums, a few of the slow numbers I don't particularly care for but Black Rose might be one of my favorite country tunes of all time, I love cranking that one. Given this might be the only Waylon album on the list I'm going 5 stars, more for Waylon than the album per se.
Großartiges country album
As far as I'm concerned, this is what Country music is and should be. One of those albums that are historically important (laying the groundwork for all the Outlaw Country albums to come), but also just good fun to listen to.
Damn good.
CLASSIC!
Tough, gruff, but real lyrics.
This is my first country album and it's actually really good!
Tykkäsin yllättävän paljon tästä kantrilevystä. Biisit oli tarttuvia, mutta ei mielestäni kuitenkaan liian renkutusta. Ja tunnelmallisesti pääsi hienosti kuvitelmien Route 66:lle rekan rattiin.
This album is so great. Waylon pioneers country music in this album, and the vocal and instrumental performances are amazing. The songwriting is great and has tons of catchy stuff, and I will likely listen to this album several more times.
This makes me want to go down to Nashville and party. :)
Bro deze gaat in de country rotation 5/5 bruuur yeeha
Really great album
Loved it
I love Waylon. He practically created a genre. This album has many wonderful songs and is a perfect example of outlaw country.
Yee haw 🤠
HONKY TONK
I ended up liking this one more than I initially expected. There's quite a bit of range of different kinds of styles of songs on here which are all obviously still country. I was surprised how much and how hard of a "kick" there was from the drums when played on somewhat decent speakers Standouts Low Down Freedom You Ask Me To We Had It All 4/5
Waylon is able to get a shocking amount of musical variety out of a seemingly limited set of tones. The outlaw persona makes the soulful moments hit harder. Also rips the guitar and harmonica in a way that lifts this out of saccharine country hokum. I can’t explain why I like this and hate Johnny cash but I guess it comes down to a better backing band and Waylon not being a fraudulent bitch.
I'd drink a beer in a beat down skuzzy bar to this album
classic. honky tonk. a whole vibe.
Once Nashville guitarist and production guru Chet Atkins opted not to produce this album it took on the character of a rebellious black sheep in the country canon. Waylon does have a certain Johnny Cash in his voice and there is a familiarity in the sound but not the lyrics of these songs. The album is short and sweet but hits the spot throughout leading the way to the formation of the Highwaymen with Cash, Nelson, Kristofferson and Haggard. I found this a refreshing listen, full of tunes and those three chords with the truth.......
Good: well written and performed. Not my scene but I see how a lot of stuff I’ve heard comes from this.
Good ol' boy country done right, with a God-given voice and a penchant for songs about outcasts and losers. I've never been a huge fan of the genre but Waylon and his great band made me a convert. Much credit goes to Billy Joe Shaver who wrote most of these songs.
Hell yeah. Here, you'll hear Waylon help liberate country music from cold, conservative, sterile, Nashville hell, with songs about losers, bums, drifters, and nogoodniks. Glad sturgill Simpson is carrying this torch today. To paraphrase Tony Soprano, in this house, Waylon Jennings is a hero, end of story
I got married today so I was hoping for a really good album. Initially, I was a little disappointed when I opened the site and saw this, as I’m not normally a big country music guy, but boy was this a surprise! I genuinely liked several songs on this and I’m struggling to figure out which one to add to my 1001 playlist. Given the occasion, I’m thinking “You Ask Me To”
This genre of country is so fun and campy. Much preferred over the 'check out my truck and beer and hot sister' version of country today. Although both are still a little... ya know... Not in a bad way, its just... Take old country. These guys arent actual cowboys, right? They have so many songs about being a cowboy as if they were living in an old western. But like... they werent... Im just saying its pretty 'theater kid' to get really obsessed with basically a period piece type of content in a way that it becomes your whole personality. Dont get me wrong, its great music. New country is worse. Bunch of dudes living in the suburbs pretending they have hard lives because they just want to drink beer play with their lil trucks and wear their cute lil cowboy boots. Just kiss each other already geez. Anyway... Waylon + Willie 4 life <3
k-rose vibes. what country is all about
I liked this one. 4 stars
This is a great album. I really enjoyed this.
I gotta give them credit, it was much better than I expected.
A nice listen with a glass of whiskey and a cigarette.
Blind album and artist. Cornerstone of outlaw country? Southern Rock? Never thought I would enjoy this, but i very much do. Not my favorite by far but its got me nodding along to the heavy beats and feel.
I've never been a fan of country, but never listened to enough to write it off and this was really pretty good. The songs have a bit of steel and clarity to them, and Jennings had a strong voice and a fine band to drive things along. The last song, the one billed as the big single on the cover, had some syrupy Nashville strings - which reminded me of what I was glad to be missing in the rest.
This thoroughly enjoyable album is the pinnacle of the outlaw country movement featuring its best representative and singer in Waylon Jennings and its greatest songwriter in Billy Joe Shaver, who harassed Jennings until he agreed to record his songs.
Waylon's one of the goats. Wish this was longer.
Country isnt a genre in overly familiar with but I thought this was quite good. Dude has a cool voice and a lot of the songs here are really catchy. The album's only like 26 minutes long too so it's a very easy listen too. I probably wouldn't ever come back to this but I'd say I enjoyed my time with it overall.
Buen country
pleasant
This was a fun, good, easy-listening country album. I like it a lot and I will be listening to more of him.
Can't say I'm a big country and western guy but I liked this. Some real bangers, all the songs are catchy and punchy. The ballads are a bit dreary but I really liked the upbeat ones
Give me a whiskey and a bar stool by the jukebox, thanks. This is what I’m fucking talking about. Waylon has a unique voice and a point of view that’s both bleak and evocative of the good times. It’s a line that’s important to straddle with country music, and he does it. Misery and mirth hand in hand. Unfussy production with just enough going on. I do wish the mix was more generous with this voice.
That was great, I didn’t expect to like it so much. Really easy listening
easy listening. quite relaxing.
Awesome album, first time listening, every songs was enjoyable. Definitely will listen to it again. 4 out of 5
Guy’s one of my honky tonk heroes for sure
very swag good and awesome 4 STARS
some absolute bops on a 30 min record
I dig most of Waylon’s stuff. This is good too.
This to me is what I think of when you say country album. Probably the music my parents listened to on the Saturday anfternoon country radio programme when I was a kid. And it’s damn good. 45 Star
I'm loving this run of both kinds of music, in the last few weeks Dimery has provided an eclectic mix across the broad spectrum of this genre. Waylon is an interesting guy at so many levels, born out of rockabilly and the western stream than country. This partnership with Billy Joe Shavers afforded him the opportunity to bring together all those influences to great effect. Billy's songwriting is superb cross this record, it is all there. A fine record and a classic of the two kinds genre.
Just really solid for what it is
Simply just some good ol' outlaw country. 4.5 bumped down to 4.
I really like this style of country. I don't think this was my favorite album in this style, but it was pretty enjoyable for a single listen Favorite Songs: Honky Tonk Heroes, Ride Me Down Easy
Fun lyrics and a rhythm section that just drives the story telling all the way home
Good on Jennings for choosing songs by Billy Joe Shaver and Donnie Fritts and rejecting the horrid countrypolitan sound of the day.
Loved this country cow boy album.
My Honky Tonk Hero. I really enjoy his deep voice and songwriting. The album is a bit on the short side but it's pleasant enough. Really big milestone in starting the Outlaw Country movement and bringing Country back to its roots. Just all around ejoyable.
I kinda liked it, pretty bluesy
Great country album, enjoyable, easy listening. We Had It All was my fav song of the album and fav first listen. Omaha and Black Rose were my other highlights
It was good but not in the same league of Willie, John, and Kris but still quite enjoyable.
Just solid-ass country. I love the switch-up in the title track.
Truly a 4.5
Wow they were just like yeah this is a country album but let’s just sprinkle in some inexplicably hard moments throughout without straying from what the album is. Wow
absolutely mint. Im really torn on what to give this one. Incredible moody country album chock with bangers and wee crying tunes. I think perhaps it deserves a 1 million/1.25 million. Fuuck okay the country bangers are excellent and the moody country stuff is great but do I like it as much as Fred Neil or gram parsons which is similar no I don’t think so balls but like does that matter aw man naw this rips
How many ramblin man songs can be this good?! Waylon was more than a honky tonk heroe.
Good classic country.
Proper Outlaw Country from a proper Country Outlaw. Simple, direct lyrics delivered in Waymore’s whiskey soaked voice. Perfect! There were some great albums released by Waylon in the 70’s and this is one of the best in whole canon, if not the whole of Country music of the era. 4.5
A honky tonk blues kinda day with your personal hero Waylon Jennings leading the charge.
Above average outlaw country with great production. Great voice in music history and a very under appreciated genre. 3.8/5 Rounds up to 4
3.75. I always told myself (and anyone who would listen) that I hated country music. Turns out, I only hate bad pop-country music.
This waa a good album, the first song took me by surprise with the rhythm changing and even the slower songs have theier unique charm. . I never thought I would like country, but here I am, this goes to my regular rotation now. 4/5
Good old country.
So dang good! 4/5
Just wonderful. Nice rock entry into country. Witty, original, fun, down-to-earth. Richly explorative. Anti-Nashville people like me can love this Nashville album.
This was some good country... and I am not a big country guy (excluding Orville Peck, love that guy). This is what country should be, and what most modern country no longer is. Bluesy, soulful, folky, with a bit of twang mixed in that carves itself into the country category. Really enjoyed it, the last song on the album being my personal favorite. I'd say it still sits at the lower end of 4 stars for me, but I think this will probably be some of the best country we get served on this list (Happy to be proved wrong though!) 7.5/10
3.5/5 - Having listened to loads of '90s country I can hear the influences this album would have had on shaping music that came after it. Overall an enjoyable album and while I wouldn't mind listening to it again, likely not one I would go out of my way to listen to again.
pretty good
Yeah the masses here understand what makes Waylon's 1970s run special. It literally birthed the sound, stucture and shape of the genre. Honky Tonk classics interwoven with absolutely aces song writing and musicianship. Full five from me, but I see the argument of between 3-5 stars. I know its not everybody's cup of tea.
Dude is a treasure but it’s missing his best song “Clyde”
Good old fashioned country, nice and tight songs, no complaints
I kind of loved this? I was listening to this on a plane, and it made me so relaxed that I think I fell asleep at some point, but I also enjoyed every second I remember. The opening track "Honky Tonk Heroes" was probably my favorite, but I liked everything I heard. Probably won't revisit it, but it's a good album and deserving of its spot on the list.
I used to hate country music, any kind, now I love this old timey stuff!
3.6
At just 27 minutes, this was a delight to listen to and didn't out stay its welcome. Incorporating a more rock sound without going full country rock, Jennings brings some much needed edge to the country genre. There's a lot of sadness in this album and Jenning's deep voice conveys that incredibly well. Whoever said that country music was just emo with fancy hats must have been talking about this LP. With the exception of the strings-heavy ballad 'We Had It All', there isn't a whole lot of variety to be found here, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It sticks to a formula and does what it does exceptionally well. It doesn't have a chance to get old due to the brief running time. I think a lot of people write off country as dumb music for hicks (I have been guilty of that mindset when I was younger), but albums like this that can turn those people into believers and show that the genre can be incredibly soulful.
Not bad. I need to pay more attention to outlaw country. 3.5
Still building my country music knowledge base. This is a great addition.
This was like listening to a happy little farmer
(Finally) a pleasant surprise. I've heard of Waylon Jennings before but haven't willingly listened to his music. He's pretty great. I preferred the more up-tempo songs but it was all pretty good. 7.5/10 (3.75/5)
I used to really dislike most C&W. Maybe I thought it was uncool. But now that I'm older, fatter, filled with sorrows, and not much wiser, this is pretty much my jam. Great stuff, particularly the title track - though I even find myself getting into the tear-jerkers as well 🤠🥲
Loose, road-worn grooves built from twangy electric guitars, steady shuffle rhythms, plainspoken bass, and drawled, unvarnished vocals move this outlaw country album like riding shotgun on a long night drive—grounded, honest, and dependable, even if the scenery doesn’t change much mile to mile.
Enjoyed this much more than I thought I would.
I am not a country person usually (outside of Bluegrass) but I did end up enjoying this quite a bit to my surprise. What really shook me was realizing THIS was the musician who almost died in the Buddy Holly plane crash but gave up his seat at the last minute.
Better than expected! A thigh-slapping good time. He gave his plane seat up to Big Bopper and thank goodness he did.
Standouts Honky Tonk Heroes You Ask Me To Ain't No God in Mexico Black Rose
Wasn't expecting it to be a fun one
Makes me kind of like country
Classic that doesn't overstay it's welcome. Outlaw country is best country.
Love this outlaw country stuff
Love it actually
Country music that I enjoy
I think I’m becoming a honky tonk hero somewhat too
Classic, never heard before
Just looking at the album cover, I can smell the cigarette smoke and stale beer. These dudes undoubtedly knew how to have a good time, and it'd probably be wise not to talk politics with them. This is pretty great from start to finish, with the title track more than earning its reputation as a classic. More outlaw country on this list, please.
Despite me claiming to be a fan of country music and watching all 17 or so hours of the Ken Burns documentary, I still confuse Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard. This does help. Interesting that nearly all the songs were written by Billy Joe Shaver who I'm not very familiar with but who seems like a real poet. And I now know Shaver shot a man in the face at a bar in 2007 and got away with, which is really something.
Favorite Track: Honky Tonk Heroes
Country with a capital C
I don’t have the vocabulary to properly appreciate the Blues, but I loved this! I recognized so many songs! Fave tracks: Mannish Boy, I Want to Be Loved #2, I Can’t Be Satisfied
Outlaw Country is still the best Country.
These classic country albums are tight as shit, understand that brevity is the soul of wit. This one's fun, brings that rockish drumming to emphasise the barrelhouse honky tonk energy.
Unrecognizable as Country compared to today's Country. What did that man do in Mexico? 3.5.
I’m interested in this “Outlaw” sub-genre of country music. I don’t like much country music, but the stuff I like tends to be by people in this group! So maybe that’s my type of country. This I also like. Sounds like blues or or bluegrass or rock in some places, but not in the horrible way of modern “country” which is just overproduced rock with a Stetson on. Not the most memorable album but I might bung it in again if I fancied something with this sort of twang. 3.5 stars.
Really enjoyed this!
It’s honky tonk. You love it or you don’t. If you do, this is a great album.
What did the Nashville sound look like before this? Because this sounds like timeless country to me. This record doesn't overstay its welcome; short and sweet. (3.5-4)
I was anti-country growing up and still am not a fan of most modern country. Other than the “alt-country, Americana sub- genre” and the old-school outlaw country of Waylon, Willie and Johnny variety.
Dayum this is solid country music with some energy! Love it.
Super album nisam prije sluša
chill
- Zeer tof. - 0 nummers toegevoegd aan MMMM - 0 nummer al toegevoegd aan MMMM
This is my favorite album to listen to when I play Red Dead Redemption 2 (or 1). It's a perfect soundtrack for it. Outlaw country at it's finest. Also, not the best Honky Tonk album on this list, Joe Ely's is better. But this one is great. 3.83 / 5 stars
Had never heard this one, excellent album from Waylon
I can't lie I kinda live for this yeehaw shit.
Apparently, I like honky tonk! This album was really fun, I expected it to be more fast-paced or noisy for some reason, but it was simply composed and reminded me of my favorite folk artists with dancable, almost groovy basslines and beats. A+ production and Jennings' voice is beautiful and rich!
This was very well produced, well sung country that smartly didn’t outstay its welcome and so made me enjoy its whole runtime. Good stuff
I've listened to embarrassingly little country and particularly not much Waylon Jennings. This is phenomenal. And I know he has such a consistent and long discography excited to dive into more some day.
Good outlaw country
Wasn't familiar with Waylon Jennings but I thoroughly enjoyed this album! Very catchy Not quite a 5 for me but a very high 4 4 ⭐️
For a honky tonk album, I actually really liked it.
Pretty good, liked the vibe. Only listened to a few
Some good ol’ outlaw country. Often sounds too thin. Could have used another instrument in there for sure, just to flesh it out a bit.
The perfect relaxed country album - could be played whilst lounging on a sunny day or riding a horse down a trail!
Great, simple (a compliment) arrangements of some ol' cowboy songs.
This dude says “me” more than Beaker.
70s country. Outlaw country. Rock and roll elements. Classic, twangy honky tonk, beer in hand at a tiny, grubby bar.
In 1973 I was working as a cook in a restaurant attached to an arcade. In those days (maybe still!) there were pinball machines you could play for money. Every night after work, I would play there and every night a man would pull up in a white Cadillac, get $100 in quarters and play until it was gone. I usually didn't last that long. Everyone said he was Waylon Jennings. I don't know - we never introduced ourselves. Maybe he was working on this album - speaking of which, this a fun listen except for the Johnny Cash sounding bits.
This turned out to be a great, short album of outlaw country music from an artist I’d never listened to. Like a lot of this genre it’s incredibly evocative of a time and lifestyle that is now gone. Interestingly, it was the slower numbers that really stuck with me like Willy the Wandering Gypsy and Ride Me Down Easy. Plus Waylon’s deep, weary voice is pretty perfect for these songs.
Is my American bias showing when I say there haven’t been an overwhelming amount of country albums on this list so far? This one was really good. Waylon Jennings can SING. He can BELT. Then “Old Five And Dimers” takes things back to a sound that was popular a couple decades before the 70’s and it’s SO CATCHY. “Omaha” is a catchy, more upbeat anthem that I would love to hear in a concert with tons of people shouting the lyrics back. Lastly, I love the strings in the ending of “We Had It All”. Very touching. Really good record from front to back anyone that lets their general distaste for country come between themselves and this album needs their biases checked. 4/5
Mesmo antes de iniciar o projeto, sempre demonstrei um grande apreço por Country clássico, apesar de ter tido uma exposição limitada ao gênero. Country moderno, assim como o equivalente brasileiro, não me atrai tanto. Mas o clássico possui um charme inegável em sua simplicidade e pura musicalidade. A produção do disco marca sua data de criação claramente, não há aqui firulas, enfeites desnecessários, tudo é bem direto ao ponto. Um violão, a ocasional gaita, uma voz poderosa e letras riquíssimas em folclore, isso é country no sentido literal, com menção honrosa aos momentos do disco onde eles decidem brincar com Rock junto na feijoada (ou seria um Casserole?) e é tudo muito agradável de se ouvir. É o tipo de disco que você solta a agulha, deita para trás, tira o sapato, e deixa se levar. Sua duração é precisamente monitorada para evitar a fadiga, e o resultado é um álbum viciante, onde você termina de ouvi-lo e já quer rodá-lo novamente. Apesar de todas as graças que estou dando a ele, ainda não foi meu álbum favorito de country que gerei até então da lista. A concorrência é acirrada, com nomes magnânimos como Johnny Cash, George Jones e Marty Robbins. Pelo visto, meu apreço por Country clássico (especialmente do subgênero “fora-da-lei”) vai apenas crescer cada vez mais até o final dessa trilha de 1001 álbuns. Que assim seja! Lindo álbum, viciante e relaxante simultaneamente. Voz foda e letras míticas. Clássico. 4/5
Now this is some good country music.
If all country were like this I'd be a huge fan.
Classic. Not the best era of Waylon, which is still yet to come, but a great album for “outlaw country” back when country was country! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Is this project turning me into a country fan? What is happening? This was genuinely just a fun album. It was a good length, and the songs were catchy but not cloying. I enjoyed listening to it.
This was a joy and truly fantastic
Honky Tonk Heroes - 5/5 Old Five and Dimers (Like Me) - 4/5 Willy the Wandering Gypsy and Me - 3/5 Low Down Freedom - 3/5 Omaha - 4/5 You Ask Me To - 5/5 Ride Me Down Easy - 3/5 Ain't No God in Mexico - 5/5 Black Rose - 5/5 We Had It All - 3/5 Average score: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ with a album title like "Honky Tonk Heroes," i was certain i'd hate this. however, this wasn't too bad at all. sometimes the country genre has some gems
Just good old fashioned country music. Instrumentally impressive, lyrically captivating, they don’t make much like this anymore.
Soulful country music that's way better than most. I like this album a lot.
I like this kind of country. 4/5
**Honky Tonk Heroes (1973)** is the album where Waylon Jennings fully became “Waylon.” Recorded in Nashville but cut *against* Nashville, it is the first outright manifesto of the Outlaw-country movement: ten Billy Joe Shaver songs (plus one Jennings/Shaver co-write) played by Waylon’s road band, produced by Waylon himself, and mixed loud enough that the steel guitar sometimes fights the lead vocal for space. Below is a track-by-track look at the words, music, sonics and myth-making, followed by a concise balance-sheet of what still shines – and what has aged less gracefully. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. **Lyrics – The Shaver Cosmos** -------------------------------------------------------------------- Billy Joe Shaver writes in bar-room parables: half Ernest Hemingway, half back-pew preacher. Every chorus lands on a moral that feels both personal and southwestern-folk universal. - **“Honky Tonk Heroes”** – The manifesto: drifters, “old five-and-dimers,” neon crosses, “drizzling rain.” Shaver’s trick is to make the loser’s code sound like a badge of honour: *“low-down leaving sun”* rhymes with *“on the run”* – simple, unforgettable. - **“Old Five and Dimers (Like Me)”** – A self-portrait of the songwriter as ageing hustler who still believes in *“turning the world all which-a-way”* for love. - **“Willy the Wandering Gypsy and Me”** – A hobo trio (Willie Nelson implied) that treats the road as sacrament. - **“Black Rose”** – Possibly the record’s literary peak: Freudian back-porch noir where the temptress is literally a flower that *“grows in the darkness.”* - **“Ain’t No God in Mexico”** – Border existentialism; the first time a major country LP openly questions providence south of the Rio Grande. - **“We Had It All”** – The only outside song (Troy Seals/Donnie Fritts) and the lone ballad; serves as weary benediction. **Pros** – Cohesion; the whole album is a song-cycle about restlessness. **Cons** – Shaver’s range of images is narrow; if you don’t buy into the cowboy-Christ motif, the middle cuts can feel repetitive. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. **Music – Road-band Grit Meets Nashville Craft** -------------------------------------------------------------------- Waylon abandoned the A-Team session pros and brought his touring group: drummer Richie Albright, bassist Duke Goff, steel-man Ralph Mooney, plus lead-guitarist Gordon Payne. The change is immediate: - **Groove-first rhythm section** – Albright pushes the kick slightly ahead of the beat, giving the record its trademark chug that rock critics compared to Creedence. - **Telecaster twang** – Waylon’s finger-style electric drives every track; you can hear the flat-wound strings snap against the frets. - **Steel & harmonica** – Mooney’s pedal steel is mixed left and drips with tube-saturation; harmonica answers the vocal call on *“Low Down Freedom”* like a second narrator. - **Dynamics** – Songs rarely top three minutes, yet each has a mini-arrangement arc: two verses, hot guitar fill, half-time tag. **Pros** – Raw, lived-in feel; no strings or choral overdubs (except on the closing track). **Cons** – Because the same six players cut everything in two days, sonic variety is limited; keys and tempos blur if you listen end-to-end on headphones. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. **Production – Outlaw Sonics** -------------------------------------------------------------------- Waylon co-produced with engineer Tompall Glaser in Glaser’s “Hillbilly Central” studio – a rented Victorian house on 19th Ave. Technically the record is crude by Nashville standards: microphones peeking into vocal booths made of mattresses, live vocals, very little overdubbing. That imperfection became the aesthetic: - **Close-miked baritone** – Waylon’s voice is dry, slightly compressed; you hear inhalations that radio-friendly mixes normally erase. - **Bleed & ambience** – Drum mics pick up guitar amps; the result is the smoky-room atmosphere reviewers call *“a 27-minute snapshot of a 2 a.m. beer joint.”* - **No fade-outs** – Every song ends in a hard stop or a ring-off chord, reinforcing the *“we played it, we left it”* attitude. **Pros** – Organic, magnetic-tape warmth; blueprint for later alt-country lo-fi. **Cons** – High-frequency roll-off makes cymbals splashy; some vinyl pressings distort when the bass and kick hit together. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. **Themes – Myth vs. Reality** -------------------------------------------------------------------- The album’s great achievement is turning self-mythology into populist art. Shaver’s drifter archetype let Waylon recast himself as an anti-hero who still believes in loyalty, Jesus, and the open road – all while admitting he *“done it on my own”* after the devil got him started. In 1973 that stance felt revolutionary against the Countrypolitan polish of Chet Atkins’ Nashville. Today the same songs read as working-class poetry: small-town men negotiating freedom, guilt, and geography. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. **Influence & Legacy** -------------------------------------------------------------------- - **Commercial** – Peaked at #14 on Billboard Country; single *“You Ask Me To”* hit #8, proving Nashville radio could not ignore music it refused to play ball with. - **Cultural** – Along with *“Ladies Love Outlaws”* (1972) and Willie’s *“Red Headed Stranger”* (1975), this LP christened the Outlaw brand, leading to the 1976 compilation *Wanted! The Outlaws*, country’s first million-selling album. - **Stylistic** – Showed you could cut hit country records with your own band on your own terms; inspired everyone from Steve Earle and Dwight Yoakam to modern acts like Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton. - **Songwriting** – Elevated Billy Joe Shaver from regional Texas legend to Nashville Hall-of-Fame writer; *“Old Five and Dimers”* has been covered by Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, and John Anderson. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. **Pros & Cons at a Glance** -------------------------------------------------------------------- **Pros** ✅ Unified song-cycle – arguably the most cohesive country album of the 70s. ✅ Gritty, live-band sound that pre-dates alt-country by two decades. ✅ Waylon’s voice at its peak – honey-over-gravel timbre, effortless phrasing. ✅ Lyrics that balance machismo with vulnerability; no filler tracks. ✅ Historical significance: ground-zero for the Outlaw movement. **Cons** ❌ Short running time (27:10) – ends before the mood can deepen further. ❌ Homogeneous keys & grooves – casual listeners may hear “the same song” twice. ❌ Sparse sonic polish – if you crave glossy Nashville production, this feels lo-fi. ❌ Limited female perspective – ten songs, all male gazes and cowboy codes. ❌ Shaver’s idiosyncratic grammar (*“which-a-way”*, *“done it on my own”*) can scan as hokey to non-country ears. -------------------------------------------------------------------- **Verdict** *Honky Tonk Heroes* is not just a classic country album; it is a manifesto of creative autonomy captured on magnetic tape. Its flaws – brevity, sonic rawness, thematic repetition – are inseparable from its power. Nearly everything modern Americana labels as “authentic” can be traced back to this 27-minute shrug in the face of Music-Row etiquette. Put it on a decent turntable, pour something amber, and you still feel the door of Hillbilly Central swing shut on Nashville’s old guard – a moment that keeps echoing through the honky-tonks of 2025.
Sweet
Sit by the fire and come listen to Waylon. Whether you’re a city dweller or grew up on a farm, Waylon will draw you in to his world with tunes anyone can relate to on some level. The sounds are great and it’s short and sweet. Just some good easy listening country. Old Five and Dimers (Like Me) and Ain’t No God In Mexico were highlights.
мне очень понравилось, приятно
I don’t have any honky tonk heroes but I guess if I did, Waylon Jennings could be one.
Great. He’s nowhere near my top guy from his general peer group, but I still had a four star time listening to this.
You know what, it exceeded my expectations more than any album yet, it was short, and it was genuinely enjoyable, so I’m going to give this a 4.
#733. Why is it that old country music seems to be the only category in this book that isn't populated by assorted trash seemingly picked at random? 4/5: pretty good.
This is what Country music should sound like. I know that genres have to change and grow as time passes, but a majority of what we’ve got today simply isn’t Country. My only complaint is that it was too short.
8.5/10
I really enjoyed listening this on a quiet drive to work while the sun came up. it makes me miss living in Appalachia. and makes me want to visit out west...
I could listen to this stuff all day long
This was really great, perfect for a sad Friday
Loved it
Waylon is definitely on the Mt. Rushmore of Country Music. Great album!
This is the good kind of country.
Solid
Beautiful melancholy fun wistful, love
Vibe guet, chillig, relaxed zum Zmittag. Het guet passt... Lyrics nööö :)
4 stars
LOVE. Picked up some new ones for the rotation (Black Rose and Ride Me Down Easy). Honestly, this list is sorely lacking on country albums, imho.
When I saw this come up I thought, "not another 70s album..." but I was pleasantly surprised. This is the type of country I actually like, classic instrumentation with good stories.
This is just some good country music. Great storytelling and gorgeous fiddle. The end of the album explores the highs and lows of love which I found very sweet.
Here I go having to eat my words again. I was dreading this, esp with “honky tonk” in the name. Fuck me, it’s great. Waylon has a wonderful bass voice and some songwriting chops. If this is classic country, sign me up for the rodeo.
Country music is grand
This is soul music for outlaws.
A landmark outlaw country record, built almost entirely on Billy Joe Shaver’s songs and Waylon’s grit. Tracks like “Honky Tonk Heroes” and “Old Five and Dimers (Like Me)” balance swagger with tenderness, giving the album both barroom bite and quiet reflection. It’s lean, raw, and full of lived-in truth — a sharp contrast to the polished Nashville sound of the era. Not quite a perfect five, but a solid 4-star album that set the blueprint for generations of alt-country and Americana artists to follow.
Never been huge on country but lyrically, this album hits, I definitely rate it. Top 3 are honky tonk heroes, old five and dimers and willy the wandering gypsy and me.
Solid country album.
I always appreciate the unpolished music of raw country. Great stuff
Country is very underrepresented in this book. It is perhaps the most popular form of music in the world and there are dozens of influential albums that guided the 90’s country revival into what it became. Other genres get 4-5 albums from a subgenre in the book, whole country gets “Here’s one outlaw country album.” Willie Nelson has two albums in the book and one of them are standards. There’s nothing, absolutely nothing, from George Strait, Lyle Lovett, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and the only Taylor Swift album is “1989,” which isn’t country at all. Jimmy Buffett is the man behind hundred million dollar lifestyle brand and yet he deserves nary a mention. This book was created by British critics and country music, especially country music after 1980, is below them. It’s an abomination that one single George Strait album isn’t in here. To ignore AN ENTIRE FUCKING DECADE of popular music (the 90’s country) because there wasn’t enough thump-thump in the songs that are 9 minutes long is ridiculous. I’m not a huge Waylon Jennings fan and there is other work I like by him as much or if not more than this. Regardless, this was a great album and I wish this wasn’t one of the only outlaw country albums in this book. Alas, it is. Listen to this and please enjoy it. This is really good work by a very influential artist and is why this book exists. To turn people on to music they haven’t been exposed to. I just wish the editors of the book knew that.
A welcome palate cleanser to other recent albums the algorithm has served me. Great classic country.
Pretty cool album. Close to being a 5 but not quite
This was great. I maybe shouldn’t listen to the lyrics too closely.
Very nice! I’ve spent more time with Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson, but Waylon is right up there with them.
Some nice country goodness. Any friend of Willie is a friend of mine.
What I'm here for. Will 100% look for this album in Half Price, etc.
Waylon gets in, handles his business, and gets out. Great lyrics (no, really, some true classics in here) and slick early-70s production make this a good time to listen to.
I dug the vibes - it was a nice short listen, with some solid songs and sounds.
Why do I actually really like this? I've always stated that I don't believe in the existence of bad music genres, but country is one that rarely gets that high of a score from me. I'm usually like "This isn't bad, but I can't say I love this. I do respect it though." But this? It's not my favorite country album I've done this year, but it's one of the better ones for sure. I had no idea I would enjoy an album called Honky Tonk Heroes as much as I do. I guess outlaw country appeals to me or something. This album's got a lot to love. I think Waylon Jennings has a voice that just feels right for country. He's clearly southern, but not to the point of feeling like a caricature. I like it. The writing is solid. Most of it comes from a guy named Billy Joe Shaver, who seems to be pretty talented in the lyrical field. Good songs. I also really like how this album sounds. The opening title track shows this off excellently. It starts out all light and such before getting faster and more fun on a moment's notice and I love it. This album's weirdly short though. It's just under half an hour, but it only kind of feels like it. I think this thing could've been a bit longer, but I also find myself appreciating the fact that it doesn't overstay its welcome. I've got to say, this is some good stuff. It's nice to be reminded of the fact that I've enjoyed music from just about every genre out there. Light 4/5.
Pretty Chill Country Album. Wouldn't listen to again though. Live sound. No single vibe but overall pretty decent.
Great country album, this is what I think of when I think country music. Excellent vocals and music without being over the top twangy, not modern pop country. I feel like this is legit and he is singing from a real perspective. I am not a big country fan but this is really nice, easy to listen to with great beats. This feels like something I could listen to again and enjoy. The lyrics seem inspired too from a time when music was made differently.
I guess I like old country. Who knew?
Never really explored the Waylon discography much despite having multiple Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, etc. albums. I don’t like his voice as much as the others I mentioned, but this is a fun listen with lots of good songs. Happy to be exposed to it.
Loved Old Five and Dimer We had it all ❤️
This kind of country is leagues better than what is considered "country" today. So good.
I miss this style if Country. I get it, all things must adapt and change in order to survive. But I still miss this
I don't generally enjoy country, but this was really nice and what I wish more of it was like. Highlights: honky tonk heroes
Solid country Jennings unvarnished voice and delivery adds an odd unexpected rough hewn charm to the songs.
We used to be a proper country
Actually really enjoyed this album.
Yeehaw
It's much better than today's weird hip-hop, pop rock, country hybrid trash.
This is country I like. Good album by a classic country star.
Simple and fun. A bit of a throwback but that isn't a bad thing.
Sometimes you come across something which is absolutely not your jam but is so clearly the top of its respective game you have to enjoy on its own merits and this is that album
Nice
Really enjoyed this one. Felt like a mix of Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson. Easy country vibes with some rock and roll sounds.
Great!
Hits the spot.
When people say they don’t like country it’s the radio garbage they’re thinking of. This is the real stuff.
Vitun kova countrylevy! 4/5
I prefer less instrumentation on these but good stuff, direct, funny at spots.
Not a country music fan, but enjoyed this album more than I thought I would.
Jennings creates an immersive emotional journey through evocative storytelling, transporting listeners into both the vivid physical landscapes he occupies, as well as the intimate mental terrain of his reflections on life, regrets, and dreams.
my dad loves country music and it was something that was played a lot in the house growing up. with that background country music is something i sometimes got in the mood to listen to but i’ve never actually listened properly to old roots country music. if i’m not in the mood i have a hard time with it. i feel like i will need more listens with this album but i like the sound of it. i love the gritty tones mixed in it. the weeping sound of “old five and dimers (like me)” is where i get bored. esp when going from the gritty rock country in the title track. “omaha” has been my favourite track. i love the sound of it! my least favourite track, still a pretty song tho, is probably the last song, the cover RCA wanted to put on the album just to ensure some sales, they were hesitant to release a full album of songs written by a then unknown songwriter, billy joe shaver. 4/5
Title track is pretty great tbh -- was not expecting the technicolor shift at 1:20 from acoustic stripped down, old-style country into something upbeat and amplified with thick bass and crusty guitar. Absolutely love Ain't No God in Mexico. The bass is so warm, plucked guitar outro so sweet, and the lyrics are kind of hilarious. I've said it before, but alternative/outlaw country just works for me. This one is particularly short, sweet, and well produced. The vocals sound great, bass is warm and burbling, and the guitars throughout are effective and varied in their twang and brightness. Solid 4 for me.
Sold me. Was worried it would either be rhinestone cowboy style or a little too much traditional -- but the birth of outlaw country, I'm here for it.
The type of country I fuck with. Introduced me to the term ‘outlaw country’ and will be digging a little deeper. Favorites: honky town heroes Rating: 7/10
Weirdly familiar country music
I enjoyed this a lot. This isn't my usual fare, but I would definitely listen to it again.
hard nosed honky tonkin' - "the devil made me do it the first time, the second time I done it on my own"
I’ve only recently started enjoying country music, and this is absolutely the kind of country music I can get behind. So personal and genuine, good guitar and instrumentation, just felt good start to finish. A bit shorter than some other albums on here but it was the perfect amount to keep me engaged throughout. I really liked Omaha.
first listen pretty great
I gotta listen to this era more damn. So much soul. Torn between a 3 and 4 but think I gotta go with 4 from the deep cuts on this album carrying so hard. Low down freedom makes me wanna belt out the chorus along with him, and we had it all just tears your heart out at the end of the album
A genuine twang Strong lyrics and tunes makes them Honky tonk heroes
This is almost annoying in how relatable it is. The sound is so down to earth that I hope it's genuine and that this guy isn't a sham. Reading up on it, I love that he had an unknown songwriter for the album and people kept having issues with it so he kept firing them and making it happen. Great album and representation of this style of country. Nice listen and doesn't overstay its welcome.
Country is one of my weakest genres when it comes to music knowledge, but I could kind of tell right away that I would be on board with Waylon Jennings' music. Really liked this one.
Billy Joe Shaver gets Waylon on the right track
Great to hear real country music.
Having grown up with my mother’s classic country LP collection I’m a little embarrassed that I only knew Waylon Jennings from The Dukes of Hazzard. Really enjoyed this, good songs, clean sound and production.
country western classic
I'll come back to give a second listen. A short and sweet blast of the kind of country that you want when sippin' a long neck in a road house bar.
Damn good country music. We Had It All is a great teardrop in my whiskey kind of song, maybe the best ever
Super chill classic country