Phase One: The Early Years 1958-1964
Waylon Jennings came to Nashville in 1965, and through shrewd marketing from RCA and his own rogue artistry, he became both a legend and a critical force in modern country music. Behind him lay a fascinating past as a bassist for the lateBuddy Hollyand a musical reputation as a rising young Turk in Phoenix. These recordings, a grab bag of sides from four different labels, including A&M;, whereHerb Alpertplayed trumpet behind him, showcase the burgeoning "outlaw" as he searched for his sound. It's no surprise that the best cut is the self-penned "Just to Satisfy You," which would take Jennings to Nashville; the material, all covers otherwise, leans hard onRoy Orbison(a mistake) and folk ballads à laIan TysonandBob Dylan. Jennings's baritone hadn't yet matured into its full richness (he sounds eerily likeJunior Brownon the Holly-produced "When Sin Stops"), but he's just on the verge of honing his famous thumping beat on Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright." A little more than a year later, Jennings would begin to synthesize the disparate elements in his original songs and add the danger and attitude that helped make him a star. Consider this the aural map of that circuitous route.--Alanna Nash