Search - Jerry Jeff Walker :: Best of Vanguard Years

At its best, Jerry Jeff Walker's '60s work mined a rich country-rock vein that would later be identified with Gram Parsons's work with the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, and as a solo artist. At its worst (with his psyche-folkin'-delic band Circus Maximus), he tapped a tepid psychedelia one associates with the Association. The contrast between the two musical approaches is startling, but it demonstrates the timelessness of Walker's solo material. This collection brings together all of his seminal 1969 album Driftin' Way of Life, from the Dylanesque comedy of "Ramblin', Scramblin'" to the quiet beauty of "Morning Song to Sally." Best of also includes a previously unreleased demo version of "Mr. Bojangles" (Walker's most famous composition, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band made it a hit several years later) and a smattering of Walker's work with Circus Maximus. Not only is this a fairly thorough look at Walker's early work, it's also a testament to his tremendous artistic growth. --Percy Keegan