In last week’s Chain Gang Helen Jones served up the wonderful Jaime Wyatt, ably assisted by Shooter Jennings. For my connection this week I’ve turned to Shooter’s old man Waylon. Here he also lends a hand to another artist, in this case it’s Neil Young and a track from his 1985 album country album ‘Old Ways’ that also features Willie Nelson. Waylon Jennings adds his distinctive guitar sound and harmony vocals on a number of tracks, but here we have a more full blown collaboration that is a genuine duet. The album itself was recorded in Nashville and as well as Waylon and Willie, it features a whole host of distinguished names including Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins, Béla Fleck, Marty Stuart and Spooner Oldham. At the time neither Young’s record company Geffen, nor his core fanbase were very pleased with it. However, looked at more objectively, it’s a great record, maligned more because it didn’t conform, than it being a bad record. The album contains some great songs and for me has stood the test of time very well indeed.
