The Highwaymen - Highwayman

The myth of the American West--lawless lands, resolute heroes--takes on a grave, elegiac quality on this first, and best, collaboration from Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson. There's little bravado here, just a sense of ticking time, of frontiers lost, cowboys singing their last songs. In the end, Highwayman works because it fuses mythic, serious material with the artists' own legendary personas and well-aged voices. Lesser lights would be lucky to muddle through Jimmy Webb's epic title track; these four cagey desperados make every fantastic image believable. If Chips Moman surrounds them with less than subtle layers of guitars, keyboards, and drums, he does update vintage progressive country in a suitably cosmic but rugged fashion. Romantic legends and production values notwithstanding, it's the tough, wise singing here that's the real draw. --Roy Kasten Amazon.com

A Random Act of Philosophy

Country/western is not my favorite genre...but I could NOT escape the haunting folk song I halfway heard on someone else's radio. Some of you undoubtedly know exactly what I mean. I was "hooked". I HAD to find out what it was and who performed it. I suspect at least a few of you can relate to the shock I experienced when I finally discovered who was behind "Highwayman". How could it be that four county/western legends could/would pen and sing what is arguably the most poignant and muscial song about reincarnation in the English language? I guess the Intelligence behind Eternity finds playful and unexpected ways to touch us and teach us.

If serendipity explains the title track, what about the rest of the CD? To quote South Park's Eric Cartman: "Don't know...don't care." For me, alas, the remaining tracks confirm my first sentence. They simply spin on the CD while the laser dances over the data associated with just one song, again and again. "Highwayman". My only regret is that I cannot give "Highwayman" six stars. November 15, 2008

One hit

Great artists. Fair collabaration. One phenomenal song. "The Highwayman." Drops off pretty steep after the one hit. September 10, 2008

CD

CD arrived in excellent condition. I am so glad someone had this as I now a piece of history. February 8, 2008

Hurry, They Are Fading Away Fast!

Half of this beloved group of country ICONS have given up the ghost. These men literally saved the country music genre from extinction. They were truly outlaws to the sparkling suits wore by the standard fare of counrty performers. I own everything they've recorded on CD and DVD.

Here's the kicker, until Kris, Waylon and Willie surfaced, I didn't like country music at all! When I graduated from high school, it was 1967 and I joined "the hippie movement" and only listened to folk protest, Joplin, Hendrix, Crosby, Stils & Nash...you get the idea.

When the outlaws came around, I had a personal revelation! Country music was GREAT for crying in your beer, over a woman.

Treat yourself to the Best Country Men since Hank Williams, Sr. December 9, 2007

Great job for a country supergroup

I got this CD for "Highwayman" and also to hear the country equivalent of the Traveling Wilburys. "Highwayman" to me, is a much more finished production than the Wilburys ever produced which in itself is good and bad. You don't get the sense of the fun the Wilburys were having.

This CD is timeless in many ways. Songs not only talk about country legends (highwaymen and robbers) it deals with current issues (deportation and musicians doing time in rehab).

"Highwayman" is the best cover of Jimmy Webb's ballad I've ever heard; however, I believe Webb still did it best.

"The Last Cowboy Song" is a tribute to an era that thankfully, men like these have kept alive in story and song.

"Deportee Song" with its lyrics about illegal aliens, is a strong commentary on the continuing immigration issues.

"Committed to Parkside" details the very harsh reality of musicians who go over the edge on drugs, etc. It's grim, and I can probably only listen to it once.

The only song that I can honestly say was not worth it was their cover of "Against the Wind." For an old-line Seger fan, this particular style of rendition just didn't work.

Every single song is good and compelling. It's a very worthwhile CD to add to your collection, particularly at this price.

July 18, 2007

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