During the 1970’s a big chunk of country music genre had become rather overproduced, cliched, and decidedly vapid. But as often happens in these situations a group of artists pushed against the trend- with a sub-genre that became labelled Outlaw country. It has roots in blues music, blending in elements of honky tonk, & rockabilly, as well as darts into other genres. One of the key figures in this sub-genre was Texas-born Waylon Jennings- here from the folks at BGO Records is a double disc CD, bringing together Mr Jennings's key Outlaw country albums from the early 1970’s- Lonesome, On'ry and Mean, Honky Tonk Heroes, This Time, and The Ramblin' Man.

As with all of BGO reissues the see-through jewel case comes in a card slip- taking in front cover artwork from the four albums featured. Along with the two CD’s we get a twenty-four-inlay booklet- this is packed with old press cuttings, a lengthy new write-up, full album credits, pictures, etc. Jennings started releasing albums in the early 1960s with a more Nashville-focused sound, and a rather slick/well-groomed look with a greased back quiff and jacket. But by the early 70’s he’d shifted to a ragged look & sound with a beard & collar-length hair.  

The first album we have here is 1973’s Lonesome, On'ry and Mean- it was Jenning's 18th studio album. With the album taking in ten tracks originally, though the version featured here adds on another three tracks. We open with the title track with its steadily galloping blues touched country guitar, harmonica grooving, pumping bass line, and Waylon’s vocals- that shift between sing-song storytelling, slightly more passionately warbling, with even a brief semi-yodel.  We have the tick-tocking strumming meets mean slide guitar tones & lonesome harmonica touches of “God Times Charlies’s Got The Blues”.  We have stomping groove & swinging gospel choir backing vocals of “You Can Have Her”. With the album playing out with a cover of Kris Kristofferson's “Me And Bobby McGee” which features nicely crash ‘n’ smashing percussion and a fairly rocking out country.

Next up on the first disc we have Honky Heroes also from 1973. This is a ten-track album, which saw Jennings notching up the livelier, at times quite a pacey side of his country, blues, and honky tonk crossbreed. We have the steady beat, urgent strum, bass plod & slide guitar touches of “Low Down Freedom”. There’s steady stomp, blues guitar darts, and country guitar strutt of “Ain’t No Good In Mexico” with Jennings's sounding quiet throaty & roused up with his singing. With the album playing out with the country ballad of “We Had It All” which becomes string-swooned & gutsier vocal lined as it moves along.

Moving onto CD number two and first up we have 1974’s This Time, and while it might not be as forthright & lively as the previous album. It offers up a good enough selection of Outlaw country & straight ‘n’ strutting 70’s country music. We open with the title track with cycling & strumming guitars, stead bass plod, harmonica flourishes, and slightly more weathered/ booming vocals from Jennings.  There’s the steady seesawing groove & slide guitar-weaved tones of “Pick Up The Tempo”.  We have the piano plod, tip-taping percussion, & bittersweet slow slide guitar drifts of “Slow Movin’ Outlaw”. Towards the end of the album pared-back country blues of “Walkin’” with Jennings vocals upfront & felt.

The second CD plays out with The Ramblin' Man. This was originally a ten-track album from 1974, but we get three bonus tracks. And really, it’s a busy as usual Country Outlaw album from Jennings- not as lively as some of the early records, with some slightly rounded-off edges here & there- but it’s a good enough collection of tracks. We have steady strumming guitars, pulsing bass, and sliding blues of “Cloudy Days”. There’s the even rhythmic stomp, cascading guitar strums, and lightly gospel vocal touched chorus of “Oklahoma Sunshine”. Or the sliding swoon ‘n’ wail, steady strum, and forthright/ rising singing tones of “It’ll Be Her”.

If you looking for the more honest/down-to-earth, and at points quite lively/ pacey side of 1970s country music- then look no further than this two-disc set. And it’s certainly great to have these four classic  Outlaw country albums in one place.