Wanted: The Outlaws (1976)

“That was perfect…Let’s do another take.” Waylon claims Chet Atkins used to say this.

“My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” gets at that nostalgic longing for the past. “Old worn out memories with no one and no place to stay.” Personifying those local memories, whether they be of love or cowboy ways. The chorus is a bit hokey. I’m still not clear whether this is an album of a piece, or if it is previously recorded material compiled as an Outlaws greatest hits. Different songs have different producers. This 1996 reissue has nine songs that didn’t make it on the original and one previously unreleased new song produced and recorded by Steve Earle.

“Honky Tonk Heroes (Like Me)” features a killer fiddle and then this song shifts completely into some sort of rock song with one of the more memorable harmonica solos.

“I’m Looking for Blue Eyes” could certainly be about Willie. So many of Willie’s wives were looking for him with a bottle ready to crack over his head.

No clue who this Tompall Glaser is. Whatever happened to him? After listening to his two songs on this album, I think I know.

No information about the musicians on each track. Need better liner notes. No dates for when they were recorded or album titles. Frustrating.

“Suspicious Minds” is a radio classic, but this version doesn’t seem like the one I know.

This version of “A Good Hearted Woman” is the classic live version. I love how you hear the crowd cheer as Willie walks on stage, Waylon says, “Willie,” and then you hear Willie’s voice kick in for the second verse. The harmonica, the fans cheering, and the driving guitar, drums, and bass make this a perfect live duet.

I’m not sure what kind of horn is playing on “Heaven and Hell.” Is it a harmonica, a kazoo, a sax? It’s a Willie song, but Waylon sings most of it and Willie just kicks in for the very last line.

I can’t tell about this version of “Me and Paul.” It sounds different than others I’ve heard, but I’d have to do a side-by-side comparison to know for sure. I don’t like this one as much. It could be the remastering. The live versions are definitely better on Storytellers and the 1974 Texas Opry House.

Same goes for “Yesterday’s Wine.” I just did a quick side-by-side with the versions on the album Yesterday’s Wine. Something is different. They are different lengths, but it is subtle. I think I prefer the original Yesterday’s Wine versions, but I’ll need to study it more carefully.

Here’s a different version of “Slow Movin’ Outlaw.” I prefer the Lacy J. Dalton duet on Half Nelson. The harmonica is the best part of this track.

Willie wrote and sings “You Left a Long, Long Time Ago.” I don’t think I’ve heard this one before, but it might be on Crazy: the Demo Sessions. “Healing Hands of Time” is a great vocal performance, though it’s hard to know what was rebellious about this track.

Not sure why they added a track in 1996. After listening to “Nowhere Road,” a Steve Earle tune, I know; it may be my favorite track on this album.

In general, this is an historically important album, but there aren’t many tracks I’ll return to often.