291. Waylon Jennings | Honky Tonk Heroes (1973)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Track

1. Honky Tonk Heroes
2. Old Five and Dimers (Like Me)
3. Willy the Wandering Gypsy and Me
4. Low Down Freedom
5. Omaha
6. You Asked Me To
7. Ride Me Down Easy
8. Ain't No God in Mexico
9. Black Rose
10. We Had It All

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Honky Tonk Heroes is a crisp album. The music is country, in general, and outlaw country, specifically. Outlaw country seems to mean that it sounds like country music from twenty years ago. Certainly, the songs on this album sound more like songs done by Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly in the mid- to late-1950s than contemporary country songs. This music certainly isn't rock and roll but it's a clear reminder of where that style came from.

The songs are straightforward and the instruments sound clear. Waylon Jennings has a very powerful voice that's perfect for country. It always seems to be that the music play second fiddle to the lyrics in country music, and it's true on this album, too, but the music is still quite enjoyable in its own right.

The lyrics, of course, are central to the songs on this album. The songs are told in story form, mostly in the first person and about the seamier side of life. Like all country songs, there is a God-honest, down-to-earth wisdom conveyed through catchy similes.

I think this is a superb album. It sounds great, it's exciting, it's entertaining and Waylon Jennings has a pleasing voice. (Actually Waylon sounds a lot like Elvis and is more convincing.) And once again, I'm convinced that country music doesn't get the respect it's due. This album is certainly worth listening to and I think it is worthy of any serious collector's collection. I also think this album deserves to be on 1001 Albums list because it appears to be an influential album.

All the songs are excellent. The stand outs are Honky Tonk Heroes, Old Five and Dimers (Like Me), Low Down Freedom, Omaha, Ain't No God in Mexico, Black Rose and We Had It All.

★★★★★★★★★★

290. Steely Dan | Countdown to Ecstasy (1973)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Track

1. Bodhisattva
2. Razor Boy
3. The Boston Rag
4. Your Gold Teeth
5. Show Biz Kids
6. My Old School
7. Pearl of the Quarter
8. King of the World

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Countdown to Ecstasy is a maddening album. The music is rock with hints of jazz. Both keyboards and guitar share the lead role. The jazzier songs feature more keyboards and the heavier songs naturally have the guitar in the lead role.

The songs are quite catchy. Some songs feature some pretty good hooks. The problem is the lyrics. Steely Dan is too smart for its own good.

Listening to Steely Dan frustrates me. First, Steely Dan are the most uncool hipsters who are in on all the cool things. It sure sucks to know that the geeks are cooler than me. Second, Steely Dan are so fucking smug. Listening to the lyrics makes me feel like they only think I'm good enough to be let in on half the story or joke.

Finally, Steely Dan's lyrics are too urbane and cerebral. Of course, they're talking about seedy and raunchy stuff, but they've got to move from highbrow to lowbrow language. And mixing the highbrow with the lowbrow seems to explain clearly why the 1970s are corny and forgettable.

I do like the music, but the lyrics annoy me. However, it takes time to appreciate the music; the good qualities are certainly subtle and downplayed. I think the album is worth listening to, but I'm not sure if this needs to be on the 1001 Albums list since I don't think this album is much of a departure from their first.

All the songs are good, if you bear the lyrics. The stand outs are Bodhisattva, Razor Boy, The Boston Rag, Your Gold Teeth, Show Biz Kids and King of the World.

★★★★★★★★☆☆