Audio CD review:
Jerry Jeff Walker - Too Old to Change/Jerry Jeff

Jerry Jeff Walker - Too Old to Change/Jerry Jeff

Band: Jerry Jeff Walker Title: Too Old to Change/Jerry Jeff Rating: Release Date: 2003-05-06 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Too Old to Change - Jerry Jeff Walker, Baker, Billy 2: I Ain't Living Long Like This - Jerry Jeff Walker, Crowell, Rodney 3: I'll Be Your San Antone Rose - Jerry Jeff Walker, Clark, Susanna 4: Old Nashville Cowboy - Jerry Jeff Walker, Killough, Rock 5: Hands on the Wheel - Jerry Jeff Walker, Callery, Bill 6: Cross the Borderline - Jerry Jeff Walker, Moore, Daniel 7: Mountains of Mexico - Jerry Jeff Walker, Peterson, Phil 8: Then Came the Children - Jerry Jeff Walker, Seibel, Paul 9: Northeast Texas Women - Jerry Jeff Walker, Ramsey, Willis Alan 10: Me and Bobby McGee - Jerry Jeff Walker, Kristofferson, Kris 11: Eastern Avenue River Railway Blues - Jerry Jeff Walker, Reid, Mike 12: Lone Wolf - Jerry Jeff Walker, Clayton, Lee 13: Bad News - Jerry Jeff Walker, Loudermilk, John D. 14: Boogie Mama - Jerry Jeff Walker, Rambo, Bobby 15: I'm Not Strange - Jerry Jeff Walker, Sykes, Keith 16: Her Good Lovin' Grace - Jerry Jeff Walker, Walker, Jerry Jeff 17: Comfort and Crazy - Jerry Jeff Walker, Clark, Guy 18: Follow - Jerry Jeff Walker, Merrick, Jerry 19: Banks of the Old Bandera - Jerry Jeff Walker, Crowell, Rodney

Jerry Jeff's masterwork " With a cohesive sound, emotional depth and breadth, and primarily quiet artistry, "Too Old To Change" is Jerry Jeff's masterwork as "Pancho and Lefty" is the masterwork of Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. This CD contains all of the tracks from two very different, excellent Elektra albums by Jerry Jeff, "Too Old To Change" and "Jerry Jeff. The album is primarily acoustic, but the combination of unique arrangements and song tempos and Jerry Jeff's focused, powerful vocal delivery lend each tune a complexity rarely found in acoustic country recordings. The inclusion of a blistering rocker ("Ain't Livin' Long Like This") in the midst of these heartfelt songs sung with mastery, humor, and despair is puzzling until you realize it is another pure expression from Jerry Jeff. The song's inclusion is also contrary and amusing, both qualities familiar to Walker fans. "Jerry Jeff" flirts with the artistry of "Too Old To Change" with moving songs like "Eastern Avenue River Railway Blues," "Banks of the Old Bandera," and "Comfort and Crazy. " But this album contains a broader range of musical styles, including bold rockers ("Lone Wolf," "Bad News"), a Gulf coast love song ("Her Good Lovin' Grace"), even a novelty song ("I'm Not Strange") that is laugh-out-loud funny or, possibly, disgusting, depending on your sensibilities. (Most guys will think it's funny. ) The only clunker in the whole bunch is "Boogie Mama," which is lyrically and musically clumsy and sounded outdated even when it came out years ago. Over the years I have played both of these albums for many different people, and I have never run across anyone who didn't like them. Having them delivered together on one CD is great luck for all Jerry Jeff fans and for anyone interested in uncovering classic outlaw country music. Now all we need is the release of "Contrary to Ordinary," "Reunion," and "Cowjazz," and the world of Jacky Jack music will be right again. You can see a complete list of all Jerry Jeff Walker discography, or go back to the Jerry Jeff Walker tabs