Search - Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings :: White Mansions/The Legend of Jesse James

Two Magnificent and Historically Accurate Song Cycles About

Barbara Haukenberry | CA United States | 08/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I accidentally ran into the cassette version of "The Story of Jesse James" probably shortly after the cassette was released. My 35 year old daughter remembers well hearing it played over and over again, when she was a child. Naturally, the tape finally wore out and I had no idea where to find another copy. I felt an unbelievable sense of loss because of this for many years, until I recently decided to search "Jesse" on Amazon.com, hoping to find that it had been re-released as a CD.



When I found that "White Mansions", which I had never even heard of before, had been combined into a double CD set with "Jesse", I was ecstatic and I immediately ordered two copies of the set, one for my car and one for my house. I found that I had to immerse myself in hearing "Jesse", until my "thirst" for it had been satisfied, before I could bring myself to listen seriously to "White Mansions". However, the Civil War/the War Between the States/the War of Northern Aggression/the Late Unpleasantness, as it is variously called, has always extremely interested me and filled me with great sadness, especially since most people today do not understand the complexities of the war, its many heart-breaking aspects, and how lasting its influence has been on our country.



These song cycles are replete with superb music and equally superb singers whose voices fit the characters who tell the story of the Civil War from the Southern white point of view in "White Mansions" and the story of Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang in "The Story of Jesse James". These song cycles are most highly recommended by me, however, not only because of their superb music and vocalists, but also because they are historically so accurate. I am a history buff and I know Civil War history and the lives and activities of the James brothers and the Younger brothers very well. My only bone to pick with the cycles is the song "High Walls" on "Jesse". Although I enjoy the song greatly, I personally do not believe that Jesse James ever was so self-pitying, although he probably did regret the path that he had chosen, after he had matured and had become a loving husband and father who had decided to settle down on a farm with his family.



I most highly recommend this set to anyone who appreciates the best in country music, to anyone who is interested in the Civil War, especially those who are interested in the different points of view of its Southern caucasian socio-economic groups, and/or to those who are interested in the war's resulting production of some of our nation's most notorious outlaws. I am now also so emotionally involved in "White Mansions", as well as in "Jesse", that today, I literally burst out with a loud exclamation concerning what had just been sung in one of its songs, while I was driving my car, startling my friend who was riding with me and embarrassing myself!



"

A secret treasure!

Garrett E. Budwine | Los Angeles, USA | 02/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought "The legend of Jesse James" vinyl LP in 1980 when I was 17 and was immediately struck by the solid writing, emotional narrative and excellent musicianship found on this concept album. I remember "One more shot" got some airplay on country radio stations at the time, but without the rest of the album to provide the appropriate context, the single didn't have much impact. One listen to the entire album, and it's hard not to be impressed by this collection of country/folk/rock jewels.



This 2-CD set was my first introduction to "White Mansions", Paul Kennerley's original Southern Americana musical history lesson. This album is as well produced and the song writing as strong as on "Jesse James". However, this collection is not as emotionally engaging as the tracks on "Jesse James". The performances are all first rate and Waylon Jennings' vocals on this album are perhaps his best ever and proves that he was at his peak in the late 1970s!



Anyone that listens to this compilation of two great country concept albums will become instant fans. I sincerely hope more people will find this secret treasure."