Waylon Jennings
' volume in the Austin City Limits series
Live from Austin TX
, recorded in 1989, was his second appearance on the program. Before the
Jennings
fanatics get all bent out of shape because this was during his
MCA
period -- hold on a moment: this gig, with its 17 tracks, is a stunner.
was sober, and with
, but he hadn't left his band or his attitude for top-notch live shows in mothballs. And for those who still doubt: remember
' last record, 2000's
Never Say Die: Live
was a monster. The tunes from
, however, are a mix of old and new;
ranges freely back and forth across his long, sometimes confusing, and always varied career. There's the burning opener
"I'm a Ramblin' Man,"
followed by
"Rainy Day Woman,"
which slips into
Sammy Johns
'
"America,"
then stomps into a couple of
Bob McDill
's classics as defined by
:
"I May Be Used (But I Ain't Used Up)"
and the beautiful
"Amanda."
The staunch professionalism and raw immediacy of the
band makes its frontman stand ten feet tall in front of an adoring television audience. When he begins his own fine version of
Kris Kristofferson
's
"Me and Bobby McGee,"
the crowd goes nuts and
gives them everything he's got. Finally,
launches into one of his own with
"Trouble Man,"
a freewheeling country-rocker. But he also offers fine versions of other originals, like
"Good 'Ol Boys,"
"Bob Wills Is Still the King,"
a wild and ornery
"Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way,"
"Good Hearted Woman,"
and an anthemic
"I've Always Been Crazy."
Yes,
"Luckenbach, Texas"
is here just before the lights go off, but
takes it out on the wild side with a stomping rocker,
Rodney Crowell
"I Ain't Living Long This Way."
pushes the band and they shove back and he loves it. It's quite a finish to an amazing concert, and a necessary addition for every serious
fan's library. Those who have owned bootlegs of this for years will be gratified that the real thing has much better sound. ~ Thom Jurek