Search - Waylon Jennings :: Closing in on the Fire

Joanie R. (jojo46580) from WARSAW, IN
Reviewed on 10/15/2009...

I love anything Waylon, and this is a nice addition
to my collection, for sure.

Blues-rock with a little country tossed in

Michael Carley | San Joaquin Valley, CA | 05/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In another review (click on my name to see it), I stated that "Waymore's Blues (part II)" was Waylon's best album of recent years. I still think that one was great, but somehow this CD seems to find it's way into my stereo more and more. Waylon states in the final track (a hidden track in which he discusses the background of some of the songs and the production of the CD) that he told his collaborators (which include Sting, Sheryl Crow, Travis Tritt, Mark Knopfler, Marty Stuart, Carl Smith, Randy Scruggs, and of course, his wife Jessi Colter) to ignore everything he had previously done and start anew. The result is the most rock-oriented album of his career. Buddy Holly's influence was never more evident.The mood is set by the title track, Tony Joe White's "Closing In On the Fire" an outstanding blues-rock number that radiates sexuality with every beat (if not the lyrics). "Just Watch Your Mama and Me" may just be the best ballad Waylon has ever written. "She's Too Good For Me" is Sting's contribution, and although some of the lyrics are corny, it is a fun song. Sheryl Crow duets on this one. "Back Home (Where I Come From)" is typical Waylon swagger, mixed with a little country humor. "Be Mine" is a sweet ballad written by Texas singer/songwriter Kimmie Rhodes. (The two have a great duet version of the song on Rhodes' now out of print album "West Texas Heaven"). "Easy Money" and "The Blues Don't Care" are two more blues-rock numbers that fit the album well. And, while the world may not have needed another cover of the Stones "No Expectations", Waylon fans will probably enjoy his."

Great modern Waylon!

Casey Newbold - Kerr | Melbourne, Australia. | 07/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an odd album in that Waylon attempts some new sounds... but those new sounds certainly work. Diehard fans will love it. Others should listen to a few earlier albums before this one... but if they do that, they'll love it. Either way, this is a great album.On this album, Waylon branches out. It's got some great blues-rock stuff on it. Waylon and the band on this album really rock out, and it sounds great. It's different from, say, Waylon Live or Dreaming My Dreams in that it's not about the "Waylon sound," but you can still tell it's Waylon's music. If you want to hear Waylon doing rock and Tony Joe White-style swampy music, this is the album. After you buy the essential Waylon classics, this is a good modern Waylon album, along with Waymore's Blues Pt II, Right For The Time, and Never Say Die: Live. The latter day albums may not be up there with Honky Tonk Heroes and Dreaming My Dreams with the critics, but in my opinion these albums are as essential in a Waylon collection as the others.If you're getting into Waylon and want something different, this is a modern classic that you'll love. His last 5 or so albums (including the Highwaymen releases) are pretty essential, in my opinion. Waylon's voice aged like a fine wine. In about 1994 he started sounding like a wise old man -- one with a very, VERY good voice. His voice developed a quality that suggested he'd lived everything he was singing about... possibly because, well, he HAD lived most of what he sang about! Another classic Waylon album. It deserves to be in your collection, like most of his releases.(Also, the audio liner notes are great! You can tell Waylon is trying to be serious... but we still get a few glimpses of that classic Waylon sense of humour!)Oh, and... WAYLON RULES!"