Album: Lonesome, On'ry and Mean

Overview of "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean"
"Lonesome, On'ry and Mean" is an influential album by the iconic Waylon Jennings, launched in 1973, marking a turning point in the artist's profession and in the scope of country music as a whole. The album embraces the Outlaw Country motion's raw energy and independent spirit, which identifies itself from the refined and commercialized Nashville noise widespread at the time. It includes a range of genres like rockabilly, blues, and honky-tonk, integrated with sincere and personal storytelling, infused with styles of flexibility, defiance, and heartaches.

The Making of "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean"
The album is the culmination of Jennings' long fight for higher artistic control over his music and aggravation with the cookie-cutter production procedure employed at the time. In 1972, Jennings renegotiated his contract with RCA Records, which granted him the autonomy he preferred, allowing him to pick the artists he wanted to deal with and have last word on the choice of tunes and production choices.

Waylon employed his longtime pal and producer, Jack Clement, to helm the recording procedure, which happened at the famous Glaser Sound Studios in Nashville. By dealing with his selected accompanists, The Waylors, and opting for a simpler production design, Jennings managed to create a genuine and original noise that identifies the album and reflects his true essence as an artist.

Track List and Highlights
"Lonesome, On'ry and Mean" features 10 tracks, varying from outlaw anthems to sorrowful ballads. The album begins with the eponymous title track, written by Steve Young, where Jennings' distinctive voice and attitude shine through as he checks out styles of flexibility, restlessness, and the difficulties of the life on the road.

Other standout tracks include "Freedom to Stay", a blues-infused ode to yearning for stability and liberty in a relationship, and "Pretend I Never Happened", a heart-wrenching ballad about yearning for an ex-lover and ultimately accepting the end of the relationship.

"I Can't Keep My Hands Off Of You", penned by Ray Pennington, includes a memorable rockabilly vibe, while "Memories of You and I" showcases Jennings's skill for providing emotional ballads. "I'll Go Back to Her", a precursor to his hit "Ain't Living Long Like This", tells the story of a man going back to the love he left, discovering solace in her approval and understanding.

Effect and Legacy
"Lonesome, On'ry and Mean" is certainly a landmark album, not just for Waylon Jennings however likewise for the Outlaw Country motion. It introduced a brand-new era of creativity, self-reliance, and grittiness that resonated with music fans and assisted set the scene for the genre's future chart-toppers.

The album's substantial commercial success paved the way for Jennings' later hits, such as "Dreaming My Dreams" and the collaborative album, "Wanted! The Outlaws", with Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser. Furthermore, it became a motivation for other artists having a hard time to preserve their creative integrity within the constraints of the industry.

In summary, "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean" was an album that challenged the status quo, broke down barriers, and allowed Waylon Jennings to leave his inimitable mark on the world of country music, making it an essential listen for any fans of the category.