RCA labeled [the early music of Waylon Jennings] "Country-Folk" at first, and then finally let it ride as straight country. It was a soft country sound, melodic and reminiscent of early Marty Robbins. Very tasty stuff…. [Around this same time, Jennings] also lined up a freak band and lit out after that rock country sound and incorporated the best of folk, rock, and country into his trip….

The new Waylon Jennings seemed to fall into place for the first time with Singer of Sad Songs…. Sad Songs is a much fuller album than the others, steeped in a true rock/country context: the rhythm and drive of rock, the vitality of country, and, of course, the same monster voice of Waylon himself. An exquisite match. The album makes your head ring. The obvious highlight is the title song,… a neatly fashioned country ditty that literally sparkles…. It has...