The Highwaymen - Highwayman 2

if it ain't broke...

i LOVE the first highwaymen album and consider them the best superband of all time (outranking Trio and the Travelling Wilburries ... I know I misspelled that) so I was excited to hear more of these four fine fellows. This album is pretty much the same exact thing as their first album. There's even one track (I forget what it's called right now) that's a cookie cutter version of the song "highwayman" on the album "highwaymen" by the "highwaymen" (also known as the groups first album) The first one is a great song- each grizzled, road-weary country music legend tells a tale of some heroic/tragic/iconic male figure in America's past. The second is just more of that, with a different chorus. If you want to get into this band- start with "highwaymen" then get this only if you want a second, similar, helping. June 30, 2008

The Highwayman II

Highwayman II is a huge disappointment from some legendary and talented musicians, singers and songwriters. It's over-produced and has an '80s (ugghh) slick feel to it. I listened to it twice, can't remember which songs are on it and will drop it off at the library when I get a chance. Especially disappointing after picking up Willie Nelson's Red-Headed Stranger--which I highly recommend. May 22, 2008

a gem

This is a great disc from the first track 'til the last. It's got just the right mix of great production BIG sounding tunes (which fit the mythic status of the performers and the subjects of some of the songs) and 'raw' and 'smaller' more personal songs (which allow the singers to shine). Some think that makes this one sound rushed. I don't agree. It's a great way to make an album with these four artists and it's a gem. September 28, 2004

Great Recording/Very Overlooked

When this cd came out, all the critics wrote it off saying, "It seems very rushed." Well I can kind of agree with that assumption. A few songs here sound like they were basically chosen out of pure desparation.

But on the other hand, this cd features some of the best, if not the best vocals Waylon Jennings has ever put on record. Johnny Cash does one of the best performances of his post Columbia Records days on "Anthem '84 and Living Legend." There is the towering Peformance on "Born And Raised in Black and White" that should have gotten them the "Vocal Event" award at the 1991 CMA awards (and was played as their nomination was announced).

This is a very solid release, although a bit rushed. But only these men could rush and make something so good. These men at their worst are 100 times better than most "artists" at their best. May 6, 2004

Four great singers equals one heck of a CD.

It's amazing how each song highlights each one of the foursome's strong points. This CD really made me stand up and listen. The CD opens with "Silver Stallion" and one cannot help but think of bygone cowboy days. Waylon Jennings transforms "Angels Love Bad Men" into one of his trademark wicked songs. Reminds you of the "Waylon and Willie days" when everybody wanted to be an outlaw. This album would get five stars if it had included their version of "Help Me Make it Through the Night" (a danceable form of the famous Kristoferson tune). And, it's nice to know that Johnny Cash sounds as good as ever. June 17, 1998

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