It's ironic that the man who made his reputation by writing "Mr. Bojangles," one of the most enduring and oft-covered tunes of the late 20th century, succeeded in his career as a performer by singing the works of others, but that's the case. Walker has always been a fine judge of material, and over the years, picked up on some great stuff, such as 's "Old Five and Dimers Like Me," 's "Desperados Waiting for the Train" and "L.A. Freeway," Gary Nunn's "London Homesick Blues," 's "Up Against the Wall Redneck," and Rusty Weir's "Don't It Make You Wanna Dance." This set gathers those remarkable cuts together with some of Walker's own songs, such as the party anthem "Sangria Wine," "Railroad Lady" (written with ), and, of course, "Bojangles." Great Gonzos gives you the flavor and the laid-back aesthetic of Jerry Jeff's seminal work of the '70s. There's more to the story, but this is where it all began. --Daniel Durchholz
