Jerry Jeff Walker “Bein’ Free”
Even when I haven’t been listening to a lot of music lately, hearing this album in it’s entirety just compels me to double-post, one more Jerry Jeff.
This one, his 4th solo, was recorded after Mr. Bojangles, Driftin’ Way of Life, and Five Years Gone. He would nail down his style it on his next album, Jerry Jeff Walker (an Austin masterpiece), but close up his drifter-folk career with Bein’ Free, by no means a three star record.
He kicks it off with a customary party track, I’m Gonna Tell On You. This song embodies the “gonzo” sound, with a crew hollering background choruses and one-liners, that perfectly loose feel and a boozy grin on your singer’s face. Stoney. Nobody’s. But For The Time. Hard not to fall for the heartfelt Jerry songs, once a lady gets to know him he’s the man. Harmonica Talk is pretty awesome, a trio of hambone, jaw harp, and harp riffs. Please Let Me Be is especially interesting with sandpaper blocks, harpsichord, and some fantastic pipey (synth?) sounds I can’t even make out.
Some Go Home, one of “Jerry Jeff’s train songs” was a track that got me early on; JJ’s no slouch on a storyteller and this is kind of a precursor to Desperados. Bein’ Free is a special album, the kind that benefits from vinyl’s hum and crackle. My pal was good enough to record this from his original and send it my way. I’m sure the CD sounds great.
Q: Any other fans out there? Care to list your top three JJW songs or records?
“Some Go Home”
MP3 Album | download Bein’ Free
Original Vinyl | 1970 | ATCO | search ebay ]
Also Recommended
Hmmm…? I guess I like the popular ones.
Records: (1) Viva Terlingua, (2) Jerry Jeff Walker, (3) Ridin’ High
Songs: (1) Sangria Wine, (2) Pissin’ In The Wind, (3) Gettin’ By
To be fair I really haven’t absorbed the early pre-Austin stuff. Your reviews are intriguing. There’s always more to listen to!
Paul February 7, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
Okay, I’ll bite.
Top 3 Jerry Jeff albums:
Five Years Gone
Driftin’ Way of Life
Ridin’ High
Top 3 songs:
Blues in Your Mind
Fading Lady (although I prefer the Circus Maximus version)
Jaded Lover
David Lerner March 4, 2009 @ 6:17 pm
Jerry Jeff is amazing,
Top 3 albums:
Viva Terlingua – everyone should own a copy!
A Man Must Carry On
It’s a Good Night for Singing
Kennedy April 8, 2009 @ 11:29 am
I am a huge Jerry Jeff fan. Not only his originals but also the Billy Joe Shaver songs he sings.
philip olivier April 17, 2009 @ 11:39 am
Dust On My Boots. That is all. The best, hands down in my opinion.
Hogan May 25, 2009 @ 11:14 pm
I like “Shell Game” from Driftin’ Way of Life.
mosec July 14, 2009 @ 7:46 pm
Hard to go past “North Cumberland Blues” from Driftin’ Way Of Life. “Maybe Mexico” is a drunken favourite from Mr Bojangles as well.
Louder than Milk July 15, 2009 @ 8:33 pm
Shell Game!
Shinealight July 22, 2009 @ 4:18 pm