The Road Goes on Forever [10th Anniversary Edition] (CD - 1995)

Additional personnel: Mark Goldenberg (acoustic & baritone guitars, electric sitar); Al Anderson (electric & acoustic guitars); Reggie Young (electric guitar); Robby Turner (pedal steel, dobro); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Danny Timms (acoustic piano, background vocals); Luis Resto (Wurlitzer electric piano); Benmont Tench (Hammond C-3); Michael Rhodes (bass); Kenny Aronoff (drums); Billy Swan (background vocals).

Recorded at Ocean Way, Hollywood, California.

The Highwaymen (Country): William Nelson (vocals, guitar); Al Anderson (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Reggie Young (electric guitar); Robby Turner (pedal steel guitar); Danny Timms (piano); Luis Resto (Wurlitzer piano); Benmont Tench (Hammond b-3 organ); Michael Rhodes (bass guitar); Johnny Cash, Kenny Aronoff, Kris Kristofferson, Mark Goldenberg, Waylon Jennings, Mickey Raphael.

Personnel: Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson (vocals, guitar); Mark Goldenberg (acoustic guitar, baritone guitar, electric sitar); Robby Turner (dobro); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Daniel Timms (piano); Luis Resto (Wurlitzer organ); Kenny Aronoff (drums).

Audio Mixer: Chuck Ainlay.

Audio Remasterers: Ed Cherney; Ron McMaster.

Audio Remixers: Don Was; Ed Cherney.

Liner Note Authors: Kris Kristofferson; Chet Flippo; Willie Nelson.

Recording information: Caravell Studios, Branson, MO; Ocean Way, Hollywood, CA.

Photographers: Patrick L. Simpson; Frank Ockenfels.

Unknown Contributor Role: Mark Rothbaum.

For their third album, The Road Goes on Forever, the Highwaymen hired Don Was to produce. Was had previously worked with every member of the group but Johnny Cash, so he was, theoretically, a natural choice and on the surface, The Road Goes on Forever has all the trappings of being the classic Highwaymen album. It has great material, from standards like Dallas Frazier's "True Love Travels on a Gravel Road" to contemporary favorites by Steve Earle ("The Devil's Right Hand") and Billy Joe Shaver ("Live Forever"), to new cuts from all four members. It has a crisp sound and a focused production, with fine performances from everyone involved. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

For their third album, The Road Goes on Forever, the Highwaymen hired Don Was to produce. Was had previously worked with every member of the group but Johnny Cash, so he was theoretically a natural choice and, on the surface, The Road Goes on Forever has all the trappings of being the classic Highwaymen album. It has great material, from standards like Dallas Frazier's "True Love Travels on a Gravel Road" to contemporary favorites by Steve Earle ("The Devil's Right Hand") and Billy Joe Shaver ("Live Forever") to new cuts from all four members. It has a crisp sound and a focused production, with fine performances from everyone involved. The problem is, the whole thing sounds too damn serious; Was and the Highwaymen may have all the right cards, but they don't know how to play them. Instead of capturing a kinetic energy or intense introspection, The Road Goes On Forever just sounds studious and overlabored, as if the group wanted to produce music that lived up to their mythological legacy, not the music itself. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

On THE ROAD GOES ON FOREVER, four venerable veterans emphatically prove that experience, talent, and strong material add up to a potent combination. The Highwaymen have few peers not only because each is a country music living legend, but because this quartet has lived its songs; they have turned the gravel to dust by endlessly riding down the roads they sing about.

Combining the songbooks of the four main participants with some tasty choices by outside writers, the Highwaymen offer an expansive look at life through crow-footed outlaw eyes. Whether it's the meditative, metaphysical marvel "Death And Hell," written by Johnny Cash and his son, or the sublime title track penned by relative newcomer Robert Earl Keen, the Highwaymen lend these songs a thoroughly lived-in feel. They often rotate the lead vocals within a song--singing the rafters off Steve Earle's "The Devil's Right Hand" both separately and together--and add their distinctive harmony styles to their compadres' solo turns. Willie Nelson's "The End Of Understanding" flows gently along, like a still, endless river, while Kristofferson's tired, gruff voice perfectly guides his ode to the bright side of human nature, "Here Comes The Rainbow Again."

THE ROAD GOES ON FOREVER is the kind of highly spirited, provocative effort that should send Nashville's new breed back to the rehearsal halls, in hope that one day they too can fill the boots of the country's still-kicking legends.

For their third album, The Road Goes on Forever, the Highwaymen hired Don Was to produce. Was had previously worked with every member of the group but Johnny Cash, so he was, theoretically, a natural choice and on the surface, The Road Goes on Forever has all the trappings of being the classic Highwaymen album. It has great material, from standards like Dallas Frazier's "True Love Travels on a Gravel Road" to contemporary favorites by Steve Earle ("The Devil's Right Hand") and Billy Joe Shaver ("Live Forever"), to new cuts from all four members. It has a crisp sound and a focused production, with fine performances from everyone involved. [This release includes bonus material.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

For their third album, The Road Goes on Forever, the Highwaymen hired Don Was to produce. Was had previously worked with every member of the group but Johnny Cash, so he was, theoretically, a natural choice and on the surface, The Road Goes on Forever has all the trappings of being the classic Highwaymen album. It has great material, from standards like Dallas Frazier's "True Love Travels on a Gravel Road" to contemporary favorites by Steve Earle ("The Devil's Right Hand") and Billy Joe Shaver ("Live Forever"), to new cuts from all four members. It has a crisp sound and a focused production, with fine performances from everyone involved. The problem is, the whole thing sounds too damn serious; Was and the Highwaymen may have all the right cards, but they don't know how to play them. Instead of capturing a kinetic energy or intense introspection, The Road Goes on Forever just sounds studious and over-labored, as if the group wanted to produce music that lived up to their mythological legacy, not the music itself. [This release includes bonus material.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine minimize