Greatest Hits [RCA] in Bloomington, MN

RCA
's nine-track 1979
Greatest Hits
collection has since been supplemented by more thorough compilations -- most notably the double-disc sets
Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line
and
RCA Country Legends
-- but as a snapshot of
Waylon
at his
outlaw
peak, this serves quite well. And, make no mistake, this concentrates solely on the
years, leaving off anything from the '60s, including such defining songs as
"Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line"
"The Taker."
Instead of being hurt by such exclusions, this
gains strength by its sharp focus on the peak of his
years. Each of these nine songs has a nearly mythological pull, presenting ol'
as the Nashville rebel,
honky tonk
hero, and ramblin' man who stormed through
country
music in the '70s with his piledriving hardcore
(yet wasn't afraid to show a macho sensitive side, as he did with
"Amanda"
). He made plenty of other great songs than what's here, especially during the
era, but every tune here is at the core of his legend, which is why this
remains a great listen, even after it's been replaced by more comprehensive collections. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine