Audio CD review:
Jerry Jeff Walker - Best of the Vanguard Years

Jerry Jeff Walker - Best of the Vanguard Years

Band: Jerry Jeff Walker Title: Best of the Vanguard Years Rating: Release Date: 1999-03-23 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Driftin' Way of Life 2: Mr. Bojangles 3: Louise - Jerry Jeff Walker, Siebel, Paul 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

Not that bad folks.... . . 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 The music from Circus Maximus is uneven at best and much of it has not aged well. This CD collects the two sides of early Jerry Jeff Walker, Walker with the group Circus Maximus, and his first solo release. 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". Five stars for fans; otherwise 3 - 4 stars. " I was not pleasantly surprised when I first played this CD. I agree with "John from Houston. 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. ) Comment. A real disappointment. 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. I was surprised and disappointed with this over-priced CD. 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. You can see a complete list of all Jerry Jeff Walker discography, or go back to the Jerry Jeff Walker tabs