Dreaming My Dreams
was
Waylon Jennings
' first number one record, and deservedly so. He had created
outlaw country
with
Honky Tonk Heroes
, and then delivered two further albums that subtly developed its themes, even if they weren't quite as consistent.
maintains the consistency, increasing the
country
quotient while subtly making it more sentimental than before. This is an unabashedly romantic album, not just in its love songs, but in its tributes to
Waylon
's heroes.
"Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way"
opens and
"Bob Wills Is Still the King"
closes the album -- making
Jennings
an heir apparent to their legacies. Between those two extremes,
appropriates
Jimmie Rodgers
(
"Waymore's Blues"
), covers
Roger Miller
"I've Been a Long Time Leaving [But I'll Be a Long Time Gone]"
), ups the
outlaw
ante (
"Let's All Help the Cowboys [Sing the Blues]"
), and writes and records as many sentimental tunes as possible without seeming like a sissy. At times, the emotional undertow may seem a bit much, yet the whole thing adds up as
's best album since
, and one of the few of his prime
period to deliver from beginning to end. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine