(Underground Sounds)

"I don't need record labels and money behind me. I need my band. My family. My guitar and my fans." ~ Waylon Jennings

If there's one performer who personifies the outlaw country movement of the '70s, it was Waylon Jennings. Although his music career began in the late '50s, it wasn't until the '70s that Waylon, with his commanding, growling baritone and stripped-down, rough and rowdy roadhouse honky tonk, hit his stride and became a superstar. He was one of a handful of country artists who managed to transcend genres and captured not only the older skewering country music audience, but he gained wide respect and popularity among the younger rock audience. By the 70's, Waylon spurned the conventions of Nashville, refusing to record with the industry's prerequisite use of studio musicians, adamantly rejecting the string-laden, country-pop sounds that were coming out of Nashville in the '60s and '70s and demanded full artistic control over his music. Soon after, other artists including Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson followed Waylon's lead and eventually what became known as the "outlaw movement" was born. It became the most significant force of '70s country music, shifting the genre back to its hardcore honky tonk roots. Although Waylon didn't write many songs, his music combined the grittiest aspects of honky tonk with a rebellious rock & roll attitude, making the music edgy, spare and direct and defined a new, updated hardcore country music sound. 

Waylon's approach to music influenced countless musicians, from 'the new-traditionalist' and 'alternative country' artists of the '80s, right through to the new up and coming young guns of today. His premature passing on February 13, 2002 from complications of diabetes was a stunning blow that sent a profound sense loss though the music community, particularly among those whom he not only influenced musically, but who were inspired by what he stood for- playing music on one's own terms for the sake of the music.

This got Cody Canada, of the band Cross Canadian Ragweed, to thinking. Waylon was an influence and hero to him and the band and he wanted to find a way to pay tribute. Cody came up with the idea of staging a two day benefit concert that paid tribute to Waylon's music and influence, with the proceeds going to the Diabetes Foundation. It was a huge undertaking, but he brought together a couple dozen of the hottest Texas and Red Dirt performers, who without hesitation, wanted to take part in the project and donated their time over the nights of September 19 and 20, 2003 at Saengerhalle in New Bruanfels, Texas. Each played a 45 minute set that included their favorite Waylon Jennings song.

Red River Tribute chronicles the fruit of that vast undertaking and pulls together each performer's chosen Waylon song in a two disc live set. Like the benefit shows, all proceeds from the album are being donated to the Diabetes Foundation. The final result is a heartfelt tribute that's both ragged but righteous. In keeping with the spirit of the album's live setting, much to Cody's credit, studio spit and polish is rightfully absent and we're presented with the songs exactly as they were performed over that weekend- warts and all. Over the course of the 25 tracks, that includes a few uneven and mediocre performances from otherwise outstanding talent, a few flubbed lines, wobbly or off key vocals and the occasional out of tune guitar. 

The always terrific Jason Boland & The Stragglers turn in a strong performance, but their pick "I Can Get Off On You" just seems a mismatch that misses the mark. Likewise, the same with the usually on target Mike McClure, who's vocal range doesn't quite cut it on "Lucille" and sounds anaemic, although Rodney Pyeatt's killer guitar is a definite upside. Honeybrowne contributes a worthy rendition of "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys" that includes a great touch of brass that works really well, but it's marred in spots by some wobbly vocals. Shooter Jennings gets off to a rocky vocal start on the first verse of "There Ain't No Good Chain Gang," but makes a recovery afterward and delivers a raggedly smokin' version. Most disappointing is the otherwise stellar Billy Joe Shaver who uncharacteristically fumbles his way through a mostly off key rendition of "Ain't No God In Mexico."

With the exception of Billy Joe's cut, the first disc (titled "Friday") is solid through and through, while disc 2 (titled "Saturday") is on the uneven side. Red River Tribute starts with Doug Moreland's engaging take on "Clean Shirt" with it's 'do over' false start. Dub Miller delivers a powerfully strong vocal performance on "Just To Satisfy You" making performer and song a perfect match. Willie and Cody Braun of Reckless Kelly join younger brothers Micky and Gary (Micky & the Motorcars) to make "Good Hearted Woman" a delightfully kickin' family affair. A real highlight is The Burtschi Brothers' outstanding steel driven rendition of the shuffling "The Wurlitzer Prize." Eleven Hundred Springs ("Omaha") and Cooder Graw ("Rainy Day Woman") deliver strong performances of their respective songs that are near perfect both vocally and instrumentally. Covering Waylon's blues side with equal perfection are Seth James with a standout smoky straight ahead blues take on "Whatever Happened To The Blues," and the incomparable Ray Wylie Hubbard with a gritty rendition of the swampy "Waymore's Blues."

Despite the spotty unevenness and the occasional misses, Cody Canada pulled off a rare feat. After listening to Red River Tribute, he has without a doubt managed to capture the very essence and spirit of Waylon Jennings and it can be powerfully felt throughout all the performances. You can hear the enthusiasm and electricity that ran through the audience. And no matter the outcome of the individual performances, you can plainly hear that to the performers themselves, this project was truly a labor of love, resulting in a heartfelt tribute to an icon that influenced and inspired so many. Waylon himself wasn't perfect and somehow 'ragged but righteous' feels exactly right, making Red River Tribute a real tribute in the truest sense.          

“I know tonight that Waylon knows about this and he loves this because this is what is going to change music. If you will all require the real thing it will change music. So hang tough. You guys down here in Texas are doing it right.” ~ Jessi Colter Jennings

Standout Tracks:  "If I Can Find A Clean Shirt" (Doug Moreland), "Just To Satisfy You" (Dub Miller), "Good Hearted Woman" (Micky & The Motorcars), "The Wurlitzer Prize" (The Burtschi Brothers), "Whatever Happened To The Blues" (Seth James), "You Asked Me To" (Wade Bowen & West 84), "Black Rose" (Randy Rogers Band), "Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line" (Cross Canadian Ragweed), "Waymore Blues" (Ray Wylie Hubbard), "Omaha" (Eleven Hundred Springs), "Amanda" (Gary P.Nunn), "Rainy Day Woman" (Cooder Graw)

Track List:

Friday (Disc 1)-

Doug Moreland: "If I Can Find A Clean Shirt"

Dub Miller: "Just To Satisfy You"

Bleu Edmonson Band: "Never Could Toe The Mark"

Micky & The Motorcars: "Good Hearted Woman"

The Burtschi Brothers: "The Wurlitzer Prize"

Seth James: "Whatever Happened To The Blues"

Wade Bowen & West 84: "You Asked Me To"

Randy Rogers Band: "Black Rose"

Billy Joe Shaver: "Ain't No God In Mexico"

Cross Canadian Ragweed: "Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line"

Saturday (Disc 2)-

Frank Neville: "Ramblin' Man"

Red Dirt Rangers: "Are You Ready For The Country"

Django & Jerry Jeff Walker: "Luckenbach, Tx."

Ray Wylie Hubbard: "Waymore's Blues"

Eleven Hundred Springs: "Omaha"

Gary P. Nunn: "Amanda"

Susan Gibson: "Sally Was A Good Old Girl"

HoneyBrowne: "Mama's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys"

Stoney Larue And The Organic Boogie Band: "Honky Tonk Heroes"

Cooder Graw: "Rainy Day Woman"

Mike McClure Band: "Lucille"

Jason Boland & The Stragglers: "I Can Get Off On You"

Shooter Jennings: "There Ain't No Good Chain Gang"

Jessi Colter: "Dreaming My Dreams With You"

Phil Prichett w/ Cross Canadian Ragweed: "Good Ol' Boys"

On The Net:  www.waylontribute.com

www.lonestarmusic.com

AnnMarie Harrington TakeCountryback September 2004