Lonesome On'ry and Mean: A Tribute To Waylon Jennings (CD)

Singer, songwriter and song interpreter, Waylon Jennings was the archetypal country music outlaw. More than a year after his death, 15 of his friends and followers, from punk's Henry Rollins to original rock and rollers the Crickets, convened to pay tribute to his craft on disc, and the result is the pleasantly eclectic Lonesome, On'ry and Mean.

Jennings' fellow Texas troubadour Guy Clark opens the set with a rollicking version of "Good Hearted Woman." Backup harmony vocals are provided by Verlon Thompson and Dave Roe (the record's co-producer).

"Waymore's Blues" by his old bandmates, The Crickets (yes, as in Buddy Holly), is perhaps the most straight-ahead piece on the collection; it shines as the most Waylon-esque among the album's tracks. These guys knew him when, right at the start of his career; it's safe to say, the Crickets capture his somber but humorous essence here.

Songbird Nanci Griffith works her way through a short and sweet, "You Asked Me To," a Jennings co-write with Billy Joe Shaver and theme song of sorts for him. The beautiful Jessi Colter-penned ballad, "Storms Never Last," is delivered by country upstart Allison Moorer.

Deep-voiced California roots-rocker Dave Alvin takes on the solemn "Amanda," while the multiple Grammy-winning mega-star Norah Jones tackles "Wurlitzer Prize (I Don't Want to Get Over You)." Jones' is a simple reading, just her on vocals and pleasantly lazy piano accompanied by a little stand-up bass, guitar and harmony vocals. Part of her talent is that she makes every song she sings sound like one of her own, while she also retains the original's intent.

Former punk rocker turned acoustic songster John Doe gives the requisite twang to "Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line." Americana singer/songwriter Robert Earl Keen turns in an edgy version of "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way." Keen gives the song an almost Eastern flair with the percussion and backward guitar sounds made by the lap and steel guitars. Alejandro Escovedo adds a moody and downbeat "Lock, Stock and Teardrops" to the set. The equally hard to categorize country artist/rocker Carlene Carter goes for an appropriately twisted honky-tonk version of "I've Always Been Crazy."

One of Waylon's closest friends and collaborators, Kris Kristofferson, contributes a deeply personal reading of "I Do Believe," one of the last songs Waylon wrote and the one Kristofferson performed at his funeral in early 2002.

The title and final cut, "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean," belongs to former Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins. It's a kickin' country-punk version and perfect outro to the life of country's punkiest outlaw.

By all accounts, Jennings' reputation as a hard-livin', lonesome, on'ry and mean guy was just part of the larger than life persona he created for himself. They say that offstage, he was a real genuine soul. The versions on this tribute are not only heart-felt, they showcase Jennings' work in its strongest light. Outlaw country and Waylon Jennings' legacy are live and well on Lonesome, On'ry and Mean.