Waylon Jennings - Dreaming My Dreams

As Jennings introduces the live take of "Bob Wills is Still the King" that closes this otherwise studio-bound album, one rowdy audience member yells a drunken affirmation. Or maybe something else, given that Jennings breaks off mid-sentence, seemingly ready to leap into the crowd and open a Texas-size can of whup-ass on the guy. That he doesn't--and gives a smoking read of the song instead--is emblematic of the success of 1975's Dreaming My Dreams. Not yet having succumbed to the overblown boasts of "I've Always Been Crazy" that sold millions of records later in the decade, he's content here to wryly look askance at the Nashville establishment and his reputation as an "outlaw" and sing a couple of sweet love songs, all while playing plenty of tasty rhythm guitar. A keeper, and one of the most welcome CD reissues in years. (The 2001 reissue adds two bonus tracks from the film Mackintosh & T.J..) --Rickey Wright Amazon.com essential recording

Dreaming My Dreams

Great Waylon CD, with 2 bonus tracks as well. It replaces my LP recording of 'Dreaming My Dreams' which was a little scratchy. September 30, 2008

the best by the very best

this cd is a great sound by the greatest singer of of our time. be assured once you listen to waylon sing and touch your very soul you will have to agree you are listening to very best. waylon's sound will stand the test of time. enjoy May 24, 2008

This is the one to get

If you are only going to buy one Waylon Jennings album, this is the one to get. If you are going to get two, buy this one and then "Honky Tonk Heroes".

If you want more after that, then look into the compilation albums. May 2, 2008

Love Waylon

I love Waylon Jennings.
I had most of his songs on tape but my tape machine
died so I bought the cd rom. January 7, 2008

WAYLON'S BEST ! (according to the man himself)

Dreaming My Dreams was released in 1975, a couple of years after Waylon Jennings had wrestled away artistic control of his music from the Nashville establishment. It was recorded in Tompall Glaser's "very cozy" upstairs recording studio. The first song is the electric guitar rocking, autobiographical Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way.

Somebody told me when I came to Nashville
"Son, you've finally got it made
Ol' Hank made it here and we're all sure that you will"
But I don't think Hank done it this way

Waylon then gets reflective with Don Williams' Gypsy Woman. This is one of Waylon's best songs. Waylon's raspy baritone gives the impression of a big man who has lived life the hard way, but still stands tall and is ready for more (all were true). His voice also had a persuasive vulnerability that has won listeners over for decades. It's easy to identify with his struggles, and easy to want to stand in his corner. There's a excellant version of Roger Miller's I've Been A Long Time Leaving (But I'll Be A Long Time Gone) included here, too. The Door Is Always Open was a hit for the two girl, one guy trio, Dave and Sugar, but the song seems like it was written for Waylon.

When night falls on that mansion and you're lying in his bed
When he begs you for attention, will you think of me instead
When he reaches out to touch you, is your face turned to the wall
Well the door is always open and the lights on in the hall

The title track is Waylon at his most tender, but this guy never gets mushy. Not Waylon, not ever. He gets back into rowdy form, with a live version of Bob Wills Is Still The King. Waylon's dominating vocal performance sounds great, and even though it's the only live song on the album, it fits right in. He had said Dreaming My Dreams was his favorite of all his albums, and it's easy to see why. This was Waylon Jennings at the top of his game.
April 14, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...