The Best of Jerry Jeff Walker

Amazon.com
Although casual followers of Texas music will always identify Jerry Jeff as the author of "Mr. Bojangles," his contributions to popular music in the '60s and '70s are greater than this 10-song compilation lets on. Though many of his best-known recordings are here, many of his finest songs are missing, and those interested in how Walker achieved his legendary status are advised to seek out 1969's Driftin' Way of Life (his single best album) and the outlaw classic ¡Viva Terlingua! Still, listeners needing only a single-disc introduction to Walker will find in this overview a taste of his unpretentious poetic sensibility and restrained, but endearing singing style. --Roy Kasten

The Best of Jerry Jeff Walker,Jerry Jeff Walker,Mca,Country,Country & Western,Outlaw Country,Pop,Progressive Country,Singer/Songwriter

Average customer rating: The perspective of a new Fan

Best of the Rest Jerry Jeff Walker Manufacturer: Tried & True ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Country Folk | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Ultimate Collection Too Old to Change/Jerry Jeff Viva Terlingua 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Jerry Jeff Walker Live from Gruene Hall ASIN: B000BFNZ2E Release Date: 2005-11-08

Tracks:

1. Navajo Rug
2. Just to Celebrate
3. Lucky Man
4. Charlie Dunn
5. Dutchman
6. Borderline
7. Hands on the Wheel
8. Long Afternoons
9. Blue Mood
10. Curly & Lil
11. Then Came the Children
12. Singin' the Dinosaur Blues
13. Cadillac Cowboy
14. Hill Country Rain

Tracks:

1. Gettin' By
2. Viva Luckenbach
3. What I Like About Texas
4. Keep Texas Beautiful
5. Manny's Hat Song
6. Down in Texas
7. Life on the Road
8. Love Changes Everything
9. Long Old Dusty Road
10. Hard Livin'
11. Life's Too Short
12. Pass It On
13. Layin' My Life on the Line
14. Gonzo Compadres

Customer Reviews:

The perspective of a new Fan.......2006-01-15

My wife mentioned she would like to see JJW, and having never really listened much before, I grabbed tickets to The Grand Opera House in Galveston for last weekend 1-7-06.
He played most of what you recognize from hearing on the radio.
The compilation of his Best of the Rest is a great batch of songs you can hear over and over again. You can just get lost in the music that makes this man the artist that he is. From the friends he's known like Charlie Dunn (look this up on http://www.famoustexans.com/charliedunn.htm)to the highs and lows of the life he sings about, this is a must have album.

Average customer rating: A good introduction to an alt.country legend

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Jerry Jeff Walker Jerry Jeff Walker Manufacturer: Mca Nashville ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Ultimate Collection Viva Terlingua Best of the Rest Too Old to Change/Jerry Jeff Night After Night ASIN: B00006IK1M Release Date: 2002-09-10

Tracks:

1. Mr. Bojangles (Live)
2. Old Five And Dimers Like Me
3. L.A. Freeway
4. Hairy Ass Hillbillies
5. Gettin' By
6. Desperadoes Waiting For a A Train
7. Sangria Wine
8. Up agaisnt The Wall, Redneck Mother
9. Pot Can't Call The Kettle Black
10. Pissin' In The Wind
11. Leavin' Texas
12. Railroad Lady

Customer Reviews:

A good introduction to an alt.country legend.......2002-12-05

A legendary '70s troubadour/country clown/stoner god/party animal, Jerry Jeff was an icon 'way back when, and he's still kicking and touring and making great records today. His independently-owned Tried and True label has had a great track record so far; Walker's new material is at least as good as any of his classic "outlaw" material on MCA... This 12-song sampler isn't quite as comprehensive as 2001's somewhat similar "Ultimate Collection," but it's a fine set in and of itself. Includes a surprising number of Jerry Jeff's raunchier cult classics, and will certainly do in a pinch. Diehard fans will, of course, have to seek out the original albums, but anyone who just wants to get their feet wet and see what all the fuss is about will find this disc pretty useful. I wish they could've included "London Homesick Blues" as well, but hey, you can't have everything! This is a good look at a warm, humorous performer with a very human persona.

Average customer rating: Not that bad folks.... Good and Bad Bruce from San Antonio A real disappointment.

Best of the Vanguard Years Jerry Jeff Walker Manufacturer: Vanguard Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Too Old to Change/Jerry Jeff Mr. Bojangles Ultimate Collection Driftin' Way of Life Gypsy Songman ASIN: B00000I8ZI Release Date: 1999-03-23

Tracks:

1. Driftin' Way Of Life
2. Mr. Bojangles
3. Louise
4. Morning Song To Sally
5. Come Outside, Believe In It
6. People Play Games
7. Hansel And Gretel
8. Fading Lady
9. Mixtures
10. Shell Game
11. North Cumberland Blues
12. Let It Ride
13. Dust On My Boots
14. Old Road
15. Gertrude
16. Ramblin', Scramblin'
17. No Roots In Ramblin'
18. Trying To Live Right
19. Lost Sea Shanty
20. Oops I Can Dance

Amazon.com

At its best, Jerry Jeff Walker's '60s work mined a rich country-rock vein that would later be identified with Gram Parsons's work with the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, and as a solo artist. At its worst (with his psyche-folkin'-delic band Circus Maximus), he tapped a tepid psychedelia one associates with the Association. The contrast between the two musical approaches is startling, but it demonstrates the timelessness of Walker's solo material. This collection brings together all of his seminal 1969 album Driftin' Way of Life, from the Dylanesque comedy of "Ramblin', Scramblin'" to the quiet beauty of "Morning Song to Sally." Best of also includes a previously unreleased demo version of "Mr. Bojangles" (Walker's most famous composition, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band made it a hit several years later) and a smattering of Walker's work with Circus Maximus. Not only is this a fairly thorough look at Walker's early work, it's also a testament to his tremendous artistic growth. --Percy Keegan

Customer Reviews:

Not that bad folks...........2002-01-05

...however, because it includes several Circus Maximus tracks arranged AROUND the more familiar country/folk offerings from Driftin..., it tends to move the disc in 2 distinct directions and upsets the natural laid back flow.The more I listen the more I enjoy both.I do wish the tracks frm Circus Maximus were sequenced first,then Driftin...,but hey,that's what cd programers are for. Yeah,there's a few demos...and demos are demos.Despite what some have suggested though,Circus Maximus did some really unique stuff...and the track "Games People Play"(included here) really shines through for me.

Good and Bad.......2001-07-12

This CD collects the two sides of early Jerry Jeff Walker, Walker with the group Circus Maximus, and his first solo release.

The music from Circus Maximus is uneven at best and much of it has not aged well. The only memorable song from Circus Maximus was "The Wind" but that was not a Jerry Jeff song and it is not included here. What is included is, quite frankly, pretty bad.

The great stuff is from his only solo Vanguard Album, "Drifting Way of Life". Instead of purchasing this collection, you are better off owning "Drifting Way of Life".

Bruce from San Antonio.......2001-03-24

I agree with "John from Houston." I was not pleasantly surprised when I first played this CD. However, the more I play it, the more I enjoy it. But you probably have to be a real JJ Walker fan or an eclectic music fan to really enjoy it. "Bojangles" is certainly not what you would expect, but, again, after several times listening to it, I have grown to like this one -- again, remember, it was a "demo." "Louise" is also a "demo" -- I can't remember, but I think Linda Ronstadt also did "Louise." A couple really bad songs on this CD but no more than you would find on any other CD. Although I was disappointed at first, I have to admit, I would buy it again, now that I have heard it several times. (The liner notes inside are pretty lousy -- unfortunately.)

A real disappointment........2000-04-11

I was surprised and disappointed with this over-priced CD. Not only is the album devoid of the Texas flavor I had come to know and love, but it seems to be a mish-mash of disparate melodies. Perhaps the die-hard fan will be happy with this album just because it completes the collection. But anyone purchasing it for listening enjoyment will likely be let down.

Average customer rating: down and dirty to easy and slow. Finally!!! Jerry Jeff's Excellent Elektra Recordings Are Finally Here

Lone Wolf: The Best of Jerry Jeff Walker Jerry Jeff Walker Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Country General | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Country General | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Too Old to Change/Jerry Jeff Viva Terlingua ASIN: B000002NG4 Release Date: 1998-01-13

Tracks:

1. Lone Wolf
2. Eastern Avenue River Railway Blues
3. Her Good Lovin' Grace
4. Northeast Texas Women
5. Bad News
6. Too Old To Change
7. Mountains Of Mexico
8. Then Came The Children
9. Cross The Borderline
10. Hands On The Wheel
11. Comfort And Crazy
12. I'm Not Strange
13. Boogie Mama
14. I Ain't Living Long Like This

Customer Reviews:

down and dirty to easy and slow........2000-06-26

If your into melodic views of the street life followed by drunkin maniac tangients,followed by two fools in love, than this is the album for you. This album, cleary demonstrates the four sides of Jerry Jeff.From the lovely and lucent comfort and crazy to the wired maniac saga of Lone wolf.Jeckle and hide would be proud.There's also social comentary on eastern avenue railway.The stuperous too old to change is hillariuos."Sometimes I look over my shoulder and smile a what they said about me,You betya!"This album has a lot of those suggestions about the state he was in at that time, but it can be morbidly entertaining when your in a goofy mood.Jerry jeff's graveld vocals give the Perfect adornment to the Drunken, madman, hell bent, ain't living long like this. you wonder if the police are actully about to come bustin in your house.Only jerry jeff could make you start hallucinating from the music alone.

Finally!!!.......1999-03-30

Having been a Tried and True Warrior (JJW Fan Club Member) for 12+ years, I have had the opportunity to collect everything he has ever put out. This collection brings together some of the "lost treasures" that until now could only be found at a specialty store... on vinyl. Walker is one of the few who can move from one extreme to the other without losing touch with the listener. The tempo builds through Her Good Loving Grace, then gently slips to the irreverance of Northeast Texas Women before settling into Comfort and Crazy (one of the most beautiful love songs ever written), and culminates with a rousing rendition of Ain't Livin Long Like This. This collection tugs at the heart and raps on the funnybone while keeping a straight face. THAT is what music should be about.

Jerry Jeff's Excellent Elektra Recordings Are Finally Here.......1998-08-13

The songs included on "Lone Wolf" were compiled from two of Jerry Jeff Walker's late 1970's Elektra albums, "Jerry Jeff (Red, White & Blue Album)" and "Too Old To Change." Most people associate Walker with his bawdy "Up Against the Wall Redneck Mothers" and wistful "Mr. Bojangles." These Elektra songs are less well known but express a great range of emotion and reveal Walker's exceptional ability to embrace a variety of musical styles and make them his own.

Songwriter Mike Reid's elegaic "Eastern Avenue River Railway Blues" is rendered by Walker with a sense of mystery, sadness and dark-thirty humor, using a beautifully recorded piano line as its backbone, and showing off some pretty sexy sax; Rodney Crowell's rocking ode to self destruction, "I Ain't Livin' Long Like This," seems to have been written for Bobby Rambo's howling guitar and Walker's gutteral, growling, incoherent vocals -- which! are also displayed in force on the title track "Lone Wolf," the macho strut of "Bad News," and the somewhat crass, dated and simplistic "Boogie Mama." Country fans will enjoy the easy swing of "Northeast Texas Women," while "Her Good Lovin' Grace" is delivered with a bit of Caribbean spice. Many people have recorded Billy Callery's "Hands On the Wheel," including Willie Nelson, but none have ever matched Walker's sadness and loneliness as he renders the heartbreaking lyrics against the sparse musical canvas of a thumb-strummed electric.

Other songs successfully demonstrate Walker's ability to croon a sweet love song ("Comfort and Crazy"), goof off and try to shock like a silly kid ("I'm Not Strange"), or dream of distant lands ("Mountains of Mexico") in a gentle way. Without a doubt, the most exceptional accomplishment on this CD is Walker's stunning paean to aging without grace, &qu! ot;Too Old To Change."

It's a shame that Elektra has! n't released Walker's work on CD, for it's some of his best -- but at least these glimpses into the hearts of those two fine pieces of work are finally available for Walker's fans -- and the curious newcomers alike.

Average customer rating: Relaxing with the Scamp Pretty damn good

The Best of Jerry Jeff Walker Jerry Jeff Walker Manufacturer: Mca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Viva Terlingua 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Jerry Jeff Walker Too Old to Change/Jerry Jeff Best of the Rest Ultimate Collection ASIN: B000002P4K Release Date: 1997-01-28

Tracks:

1. L.A. Freeway
2. Mr. Bojangles
3. Pot Can't Call The Kettle Black
4. I Love You
5. Leavin' Texas
6. Gettin' By
7. Desperados Waiting For The Train
8. Sangria Wine
9. Up Against The Wall, Redneck
10. Hill Country Rain

Amazon.com

Although casual followers of Texas music will always identify Jerry Jeff as the author of "Mr. Bojangles," his contributions to popular music in the '60s and '70s are greater than this 10-song compilation lets on. Though many of his best-known recordings are here, many of his finest songs are missing, and those interested in how Walker achieved his legendary status are advised to seek out 1969's Driftin' Way of Life (his single best album) and the outlaw classic ¡Viva Terlingua! Still, listeners needing only a single-disc introduction to Walker will find in this overview a taste of his unpretentious poetic sensibility and restrained, but endearing singing style. --Roy Kasten

Customer Reviews:

Relaxing with the Scamp.......2001-05-20

I recently saw Jerry Jeff Walker in concert. He was lively and loud. He played almost every track on this CD, but he played them in a much more uptempo form. I found myself going back to the CD again and again after the concert. The CD is so relaxing and soothing. I find myself relating to his stories, and I am definately not a red-neck mother. His voice is very soothing, and what he says speaks to me. I do have country roots and Walker sings to them, but even if I didn't, I think his voice and the tunes would still appeal to most anyone. He sings a great story with much feeling.

Pretty damn good.......1999-08-31

For all JJ Walker novices, get this one as your starter, then spread out from there. LA Freeway, Leavin Texas, and Up Against the Wall may be his best three songs.

Music Album:

1. The Capitol Collection
2. The Executioner's Last Songs
3. The Hill
4. The Key [Enhanced]
5. The Little Darlin' Sound of Don Williams
6. The Magnificent Music Machine
7. The Man Who Would Be King: The Best of Orion
8. The Season for Romance
9. The Texas Fiddle Collection
10. The Truth About Men

Music Album