Waylon Jennings Dreaming My Dreams CD

Principally recorded at Glaser Sound Studios and Clement Studios, Nashville, Tennessee in 1974 & 1975. Originally released on RCA (11062). Includes liner notes by Rich Kienzle.

Digitally remastered by Elliott Federman (SAJE Sound, New York, New York).

DREAMING MY DREAMS was one of the groundbreaking, Jack Clement-produced albums that helped cement Jennings' legend as a country outlaw in the mid-'70s. The fact that Jennings cares little for Nashville convention is apparent from the opening cut "Are You Sure Hank Done it This Way." Over a bed of processed guitar and thumping drums, Waylon delivers verse after verse (look ma, no chorus!) expressing his insecurities about his chosen profession as well as his pride in exploring new directions. "I Recall a Gypsy Woman" is a mysterious-sounding tale that features Waylon's patented stomping 2/4 beat, fusing rock and country.

Jennings pays further tribute to Hank Williams by recording his "Let's Turn Back the Years," but true to Hank's own rebel spirit, ol' Waylon takes some liberties with the tune. "Waymore's Blues" features one of Jennings' better lyrics, sporting the existentialist streak that appeared in his work from time to time. The album closes with a live version of "Bob Wills is Still the King," wherein Waylon lets his audience know that no matter how far afield he ventures, he still remembers where he came from. Next to HONKY TONK HEROES, DREAMING MY DREAMS is the best of Waylon's middle period.

The outlaws' struggle to wrest control in the studio has oft been told. Certainly control was no guarantee of quality, but in the mid-'70s when Waylon Jennings knew exactly what he wanted to do, it didn't hurt. Dreaming My Dreams stands with Honky Tonk Heroes as one of Jennings' absolute best albums. "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way" and "Waymore's Blues" must have seemed like a rousing kick in the pants to Nashville in 1975. The steady thump of the bass and Jennings' resonating vocals freshen up the tired country sounds by adding a bit of rock & roll passion. Indeed, the staid country elite must have feared that Lynyrd Skynyrd had just come to town. But even with the passion and the electric guitars, no one should've mistaken Jennings for a Southern rocker. Steel guitar is featured prominently, and songs from "I Recall a Gypsy Woman" to "Bob Wills Is Still the King" reminisce about cowboys, cheatin' women, and life on the road. Of course the sexism of songs like "The Door Is Always Open" seems a bit dated, but women's equality was never high on the country music priority list. The raw production by Jennings and Jack Clement still sounds fresh. Studio control also meant no filler, meaning that Dreaming My Dreams' 11 songs, including a live cut from 1974, are over in 31 minutes. Short, perhaps, but unforgettable. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

Reissue producer: Rob Santos.

Personnel: Waylon Jennings (vocals, guitar); Jim Colvard, Johnny Gimble, Merle Watson, Randy Scruggs, Joey Allen (guitar); Larry Whitmore (12-string guitar); Sheldon Kurland, Martin Katahn, George Binkley III, Carl Gorodetzky, Brenton Banks, Stephanie Woolf (violin); Buddy Spicher (fiddle); Marvin Chantry (viola); Roy Christensen (cello); Gordon Payne (harmonica); Charles Cochran (piano); Ritchie Albright, Kenny Malone (drums).

Liner Note Author: Rich Kienzle.

Recording information: Clement Studios, Nashville TN (1975); Glaser Studios, Nashville TN (1975).

Personnel includes: Waylon Jennings (vocals, guitar); Joe P. Allen, James Colvard, Johnny Gimble, Billy Ray Reynolds, Randy Scruggs, Merle Watson, John Wilkin, Larry Whitmore (guitar); Ralph Mooney (steel guitar); Buddy Spicher (fiddle); Charlie McCoy, Roger Crabtree (harmonica); Charles L. Cochran (piano); Duke Goff (bass); Richie Albright, Kenny Malone (drums).

Producers: Waylon Jennings, Jack Clement, Ray Pennington, Richie Albright.

1975