As one of the great live albums, Waylon Live is nearly flawless, a snapshot of Waylon Jennings at the height of his powers and, not so coincidentally, at the peak of the outlaw movement. At this time, he was popular and powerful, creating a mythos out of his performances and songs, delivering first-rate material both on record and in concert. This is where it all came together, since a set list limited Waylon to his best songs, whether his own hits or carefully selected covers. This is especially true of 1999's Buddha reissue that included nine bonus tracks (all put into the middle of the record), restoring Waylon Live to the double-LP running time it was designed to have. With the restoration of this section — containing such perennials as "Lovin' Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)," "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean," "The Taker," "Look Into My Teardrops," and "Never Been to Spain" — the record really becomes a definitive statement on outlaw country and how it bent the rules, borrowing from country and rock and twisting them into something thoroughly distinctive. On top of it all, Waylon and his band give a bracing, terrific performance, investing these songs with more passion than they had previously seen on record. It winds up as one of the great country records and one of the great live albums, capturing a movement at its peak and transcending it.
WAYLON JENNINGS
WAYLON LIVE
RCA Victor APL1-1108November/1976
Produced by Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings - vocal/guitarBilly R. Reynolds, Larry Whitmore - guitar
Ralph Mooney - steel
Duke Goff - bass
Richie Albright - drums
Roger Crabtree - harmonica
Recorded:
live Sept/1974, Western Place, Dallas and Opry House, Austin
1.
T FOR TEXAS (BLUE YODEL NO. 1)
(Jimmie Rodgers) « © '28 Peer International, BMI »Yeah T for Texas T for Tennessee I said T for Texas T for Tennessee
T for that no good woman no good gal that made a wreck of me
[ steel ] I'd rather drink myself muddy water sleep all night in a hollow log
I'd rather drink a muddy water sleep all night in a hollow log
Than to hang around now and be put down and treated like a dirty dog
[ harmonica ] If you don't want me woman just say so that's all
If you don't want me woman all you gotta do is come around and say so that's all
Cause I can get myself more women than a passanger train can haul
[ guitar ] T for Texas T for Tennessee I said T for Texas T for Tennessee
T for Telma no good gal that made a wreck of me
(come hear me yodel)
**********
2.
RAINY DAY WOMAN
(Waylon Jennings) « © '74 Songs Of PolyGram, BMI »Oh rainy day woman
I never seem to see you for the good times or the sunshine
You have been a friend of mine rainy day woman
That woman of mine she ain't happy
Till she finds something wrong and someone to blame
If it ain't one thing it's another one on the way
I woke up this morning to the sunshine
It sure as hell looks just like rain
I know where to go on a cloudy day
Oh rainy day woman...
[ steel - guitar - steel ] Oh rainy day woman...
******
3.
ME AND PAUL
(Willie Nelson) « © '71 Full Nelson Music, BMI »Lord it's been rough and rocky travelin' but I'm finally standing upright on the ground
After taking several readings I'm surprised to find my mind's still fairly sound
I thought Nashville was the roughest but I guess I've said the same about them all
Upon hell of an education in the cities of this nation me and Tompall
I got busted in Laredo for reasons that I'd rather not disclose
If you're stayin' in a motel there and leave there don't leave nothin' in your clothes
At the airport in Milwaukee they refused to let us board the plane at all
They said we looked suspicious but I think they like to pick on me and Paul
[ guitar ] On a package show in Buffalo with us and Kitty Wells and Charlie Pride
The show was long and I just hung around
And I'd come there to pick not for the ride
We drunk a lot of whiskey so I ain't sure we went on that night at all
I don't think they even missed us I guess Buffalo ain't geared for me and Tompall
**********
4.
LAST LETTER
(Rex Griffin) « © '39 Anne Rachel Music, ASCAP »Why do you treat me as if I were only a friend
What have I done that has made you so distant and cold
Sometimes I wonder if you'll be contented again
Will you be happy when you are withered and old
I can't offer you diamonds or mansions so fine
And I can't offer you clothes your young body crave
But if you'd love me and say that you'll always be mine
Think of the heartaches the tears and the sorrow you'll save honey
[ steel ] When you are weary and tired of another man's gold
If you ever get lonesome remember this letter my own
But don't try to answer though I've suffered sorrow untold
If you don't love me I wish you would leave me alone
**********
5.
(I'M A) RAMBLIN' MAN
(Ray Pennington) « © '64 Tree Publishing, BMI »I've been down to Mississippi down through New Orleans yes I have
I've played in California there ain't too much I haven't seen oh there ain't
Cause I'm a ramblin' man don't fall in love with a ramblin' man
Left a gal in West Virginia up where that green grass grows yes I did
Got a girl in Cincinnati waitin' where the Ohio River flows poor girl
I'm a ramblin' man don't fall in love with a ramblin' man
You'd better move away you're standing too close to the flame
Once I mess with your mind your little heart won't beat the same
Lord I'm a ramblin' man don't fool around with any old ramblin' man
[ guitar ] Well up in Chicago I was known as quite a boy yes I was
Down in Alabama they call me the man of joy and still do
Lord I'm a ramblin' man don't fall in love with a ramblin' man
You'd better move away...
**********
6.
BOB WILLS IS STILL THE KING
(Waylon Jennings) « © '74 Songs Of PolyGram, BMI »(Here's a song I wrote on a plane between Dallas and Austin goin' to El Paso whoops
Now this is what gave this idea to come down right here
This is a song about a guy
That prob'ly did as much for our kind of music as anybody)
Well the honky tonks in Texas were my natural second home
Where you tip your hat the the ladies and the Rose of San Antone
I grew up on music that we call Western Swing
It don't matter who's in Austin Bob Wills is still the king
Lord I can still remember the way things were back then
Inspite of all the hard times I'd live it all again
Hear the Texas Playboys and Tommy Duncan sing
Makes me proud to be from Texas where Bob Wills is still the king
You can hear the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville Tennessee
It's the home of country music on that we all agree
But when you cross that old Red River hoss that just don't mean a thing
Once you're down in Texas Bob Wills is still the king
[ steel ] Well if you ain't never been there then I guess you ain't been told
That you just can't live in Texas unless you got a lotta soul
It's the home of Willie Nelson the home of western swing
He'll be the first to tell you Bob Wills is still the king
**********
7.
LOVING HER WAS EASIER
(Kris Kristofferson) « © '70 Combine Music, BMI »I have seen the morning burning golden on the mountain in the skies
Aching with the feeling of the freedom of an eagle when she flies
Turning on the world the way she smiled upon my soul as I lay dying
Healing as the colors in the sunshine and the shadows of her eyes
Waking in the morning to the feeling of her fingers on my skin
Wiping out the traces of the people and the places that I've been
Teaching me that yesterday was something that I never thought of trying
Talking of tomorrow and the money love and time we had to spend
Loving her was easier than anything I'll ever do again
Coming close together with a feeling that I've never known before in my time
She ain't ashamed to be a woman or afraid to be a friend
I don't know the answers to the easy way she's opened every door to my mind
But dreaming was as easy as believing it was never gonna end
Loving her was easier than anything I'll ever do again
[ guitar ] Loving her was easier than anything I'll ever do again
**********
8.
LOOK INTO MY TEARDROPS
(Harlan Howard - Don Bowman) « © '66 Tree Publishing, BMI »Look into my teardrops darling you will see
The reflection of an angel that made a fool of me
Look into my teardrops you will see the eyes
That promised me so many things but all of them were lies
Look into my teardrops the mirror of my soul
You will see the girl who stilled my only world but I couldn't hold
Look into my teardrops you will see the one
That broke my heart forever aren't you proud of what you've done
[ steel - guitar ] Look into my teardrops the mirror of my soul...
**********
9.
LONESOME ON'RY AND MEAN
(Steve Young) « © '73 Richway Music, BMI »On a Greyhound bus Lord I'm travelin' this morning
I'm going to Shreveport and down to New Orleans
Been traveling these highways I been doing things my way
It's been making me lonesome on'ry and mean
Well her hair was jet black and her name was Bodine
Thought she was the queen of the Basin Street Queens
She got tired of that smoky-wine dream
Tired and looking lonesome on'ry and mean
[ steel - guitar ] When I'm down in this valley where the wheels turn so low
At dawn I pray to the Lord of my soul
I pray do Lord do right by me
I'm tired of being lonesome on'ry and mean
**********
10.
FREEDOM TO STAY
(Bill Hoover) « © '73 Famous Music, ASCAP »I tied my bandana took my pack from the floor
You were still sleeping as I stood at the door
Once more I was leading to God only knows where
That's when it hit me I was already there
I could ramble a million miles or more
Never find the look I've seen in your eyes before
Gave me the freedom to go on my own way
But you gave me much more you gave me the freedom to stay
Why keep on running just to wish on a star
Searching for heaven when I know where you are
Life is just empty when you're walking alone
So wherever you're going girl Lord it's great to be at home
I could ramble a million miles or more...
**********
11.
BIG BALL IN COWTOWN
(Hoyle Nix) « © '67 Dream City Music, BMI »Put on your new shoes put on your gown
Take off them sack clothes the big ball's in town
Big ball's in Cowtown we'll all go down
Big ball's in Cowtown we'll dance around
[ steel ] I'll stay in cowtown I'll stay around
Bolt up your window the big ball's in town
[ harmonica ] Workin' on the railroad sleepin' on the ground
Eatin' saltine crackers ten cents a pound
Big ball's in Cowtown...
**********
12.
TAKER
(Kris Kristofferson - Shel Silverstein) « © '70 Evil Eye Music, BMI »He's a giver he'll give her the kind of attention that she's never known
He's a helper he'll help her to open the doors that she can't on her own
He's a lover he'll love her in ways that she's never been loved before
He's a getter he'll get her by gettin' her into the world she's been hungerin' for
He's a charmer he'll charm her with money and manners I ain't never learned
He's a leader he'll lead her across pretty bridges he's planning to burn
He's a talker he'll talk her right off of her feet but he won't talk for long
Cause he's a doer he'll do her the way that I never damned if he won't do her wrong
Cause he's a taker he'll take her to places and make her
Fly higher than she's ever dared to
He'll take his time before taking advantage taking her easy and slow
And after he's taken the body and soul that she gives him
He'll take her for granted
Then he'll take off and leave her taken all of her pride when he goes
**********
13.
MISSISSIPPI WOMAN
(Red Lane) « © '68 Tree Publishing, BMI »The reflections of the trees are cut by the bow of my pirogue
Spattered by the paddle of my eager hand
That Mississippi woman is a waving over yonder
Waving her lantern to her Louisiana man
How I love that Mississippi woman how I love that Mississippi girl
How I love that Mississippi woman but her heart did not belong to me
The reflections of the trees are cut by the bow of my pirogue
Spattered by the paddle of my eager hand
Now the silence from behind me is alive with the splashing alligators
Lantern light is blinking on the bottom in the sand
How I love that Mississippi woman...
**********
14.
MONA
(Miriam Eddy) « © '74 Songs Of PolyGram, BMI »I can give you golden tinkling bells to even dangle through your long black hair
I can give you magic satin slippers woven just to take you anywhere
I can give you all the love and tenderness a broken heart can spare
But Mona take the love I give don't ask for love I gave away back there
You could take the hand of any man and show him how to dream
Why do you look back into my dark and bitter past can't you see
Mona when you found me all I had was sad and broken dreams
Mona please be satisfied walking through tomorrow here with me
[ steel ] I can give you golden tinkling bells to even dangle through your long black hair
I can give you magic satin slippers woven just to take you anywhere mhm
Mona take the love I give don't ask for love I gave away back there
**********
15.
NEVER BEEN TO SPAIN
(Hoyt Axton) « © '72 Irving Music, BMI »Well I've never been to Spain but I kinda like the music
Say the ladies are insane there and they sure know how to use it
They don't abuse it they'll never ever ever lose it I can't refuse it
Well I've never been to England but I kinda like the Beatles
Aw I headed for Las Vegas I only made it out to Needles
Can't you feel it you must believe it cause it feels so good
Well I've never been to heaven but I've been to Oklahoma
People tell me I was born there but I really don't remember
In Oklahoma or in a coma what do it matter
[ steel ] Well I've never been to Spain...
**********
16.
PICK UP THE TEMPO
(Willie Nelson) « © '74 Full Nelson Music, BMI »Some people are saying that time will take care of people like me
That I'm living too fast and they say I can't last much longer
But little they see that their thoughts of me is my saviour
And little they know I might live forever
So pick up the tempo just a little and take it on home
The singer ain't singin' and the drummer's been draggin' too long
Time'll take care of itself so just leave time alone
And pick up the tempo just a little and take it on home
I'm wild and I'm mean I'm creatin' a scene I'm goin' crazy
I'm good and I'm bad and I'm happy and sad and I'm lazy
I'm quiet and I'm loud and I'm gatherin' a crowd and I like gravy
About half off the wall but I learned it all in the Navy
So pick up the tempo just a little...
Yeah pick up the tempo just a little and take it on home
**********
17.
GOOD HEARTED WOMAN
(Waylon Jennings - Willie Nelson) « © '71 Songs Of PolyGram, BMI / Full Nelson Music, BMI »A long time forgotten are dreams that just fell by the way
The good life he promised ain't what she's living today
But she never complains of the bad times or the bad things he's done Lord
She just talks about the good times they've had and all the good times to come
She's a good hearted woman in love with a good timin' man
She loves him in spite of his ways she don't understand
Through teardrops and laughter they'll pass through this world hand in hand
A good hearted woman lovin' a good timin' man
He likes the night life and bright lights and good timin' friends
When the party's all over she'll welcome him back home again
Lord knows she don't understand him but she does the best that she can
To be a good hearted woman to do no good to good timin' man
She's a good hearted woman...
She's a good hearted woman...
**********
18.
HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN
(Alan Price - arr. Waylon Jennings) « © '64 Beechwood Music, BMI / CPE Music, BMI »There is a house down in New Orleans they call the Rising sun
It's been the ruin of many poor boys and me oh God I'm one
My mother was a taylor she sowed these old blue jeans
My father was a gambler Lord down in New Orleans
Go tell my baby sister not to do the the things I've done
Outshine that house down in New Orleans they call the Rising sun
There is a house down in New Orleans they call the Rising sun
It's been the ruin of many poor boys and me oh God I'm one
**********
19.
ME AND BOBBY McGEE
(Kris Kristofferson - Fred Foster) « © '69 Combine Music, BMI »Busted flat in Baton Rouge headed for the trains
Feelin' nearly faded as my jeans
Bobby thumbed a diesel down just before it rained
Took us all the way to New Orleans
I took my har'poon out of my dirty red bandana
I was playin' sad while Bobby sang the blues
With them windshield whipers slappin' time
And Bobby clappin' hands we finally sang up ever song that driver knew
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose
Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free
Feeling good was easy Lord when Bobby sang the blues
Feeling it was good enough for me good enough for me and Bobby McGee
[ guitar ] From the coal mines of Kentucky to the California sun
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Standin' right beside me Lord through everything I done
Every night she'd keep me from the cold
Somewhere near Salinas Lord Bobby slipped away
Lookin' for the home I hope she'll find
I'd trade all of my tomorrows for just one yesterday
Holding her body close to mine
Freedom's just another word...
**********
20.
THIS TIME
(Waylon Jennings) « © '69 Songs Of PolyGram, BMI »This time if you want me to come back it's up to you
But remember I won't allow the things you used to do
You're gonna have to toe the mark and walk the line
This time will be the last time
This time if I should feel unwanted I won't stay
Each tomorrow will depend on the love you give today
It's all up to you but keep in mind this time will be the last time
If this time should be anything like the other times
This time will be the last time
[ guitar ] If this time should be anything like the other times
This time will be the last time
**********
