It’s only natural to be cautiously suspicious when evaluating music made by sons or daughters of famous musicians. Jakob Dylan is no slouch when it comes to songwriting, for example, but nobody would ever foolishly place him above his father Bob. Bob Dylan is arguably the tip-top of the food chain, so – to quote a favorite Far Side comic featuring a deer tragically born with a literal target on his chest – “Bummer of a birthmark, Hal.”
Shooter Jennings is the son of Waylon Jennings. Even country music neophytes know Waylon is a country music icon. Along with Willie Nelson – whom he also recorded multiple duet albums with – Waylon helped spearhead the outlaw country music movement. Fueled by rock & roll passion, discipled devotion to country’s music’s traditions and more than a little cocaine, these long-haired 70s country stars were to Kenny Rogers what Sturgill Simpson/Jason Isbell/Chris Stapleton are to Luke Bryan today. They were Jack Daniels to near beer. They were muscle cars to Pintos. Okay, I think you get the point.
And let’s be straight here. Shooter will never make you completely forget his tower of song dad. However, at its best, Shooter will make you fondly recall Waylon. One acronymic song called “D.R.U.N.K.” is a fun drinking song in the spelling tradition of Tammy Wynette’s “D.I.V.O.R.C.E.” “I won’t think an ounce about you,” Shooter sings, while drinking to forget. And just in case there’s any question about how this spirit swill-er’s going to spend his day he adds, “Ain’t puttin’ on shoes/Ain’t putting on pants.” He sings this devil-may-care anthem over a twangy thump-thump groove, hearkening directly back to Waylon’s patented stylistic grooves.
“Living in A Minor Key” is a sad ballad colored by beautifully crying steel guitar. Its lyric is autobiographical as Jennings offers to sing a song about those years he went wild. Even during his crazy days, times where he was a little more rock & roll than he is today, he never abandoned his love for quality country music. “I still think Hank Williams is as good as it gets,” he reminds us. Furthermore, don’t assume Jennings has completely settled down. Get a taste of “I’m Wild & My Woman Is Crazy,” and it’s obvious Jennings hasn’t forgotten how to wake the neighbors.
Both “I’m Wild & My Woman Is Crazy” and “Bound Ta Git Down” feature a brass supporting cast, which gives them a full-bodied soul sonic. This is country music, it’s true, but it’s also tastefully eclectic in places.
Another autobiographical inclusion, “Fast Horses & Good Hideouts,” reveals a more reflective Jennings. He’s nearly 40 now, and old enough to express a little aged wisdom. He doesn’t regret his wild past, but he does regret how some of these fast and furious times may have interfered with his quest to find the right woman.
Shooter Jennings’ voice isn’t as billowingly authoritative as his old man’s. It’s rough-edged and a little reedier. It’s a fine voice, though, and one Jennings knows how to effectively apply to his smart songs. If you’re already a fan of today’s new traditionalists, like Cody Jinks and Whitey Morgan, you need to immediately add Shooter Jennings to your playlist because I’m pretty sure Hank Williams done it this way.