Never Say Die: The Final Concert Film [Digipak] (CD - 2007)

Waylon Jennings: Waylon Jennings (electric guitar); Carter Robertson (vocals); Reggie Young (guitar); Robby Turner, Rance Wasson (acoustic guitar); Jenny Lynn (cello); Jim Horn (alto saxophone); Steve Herman (trumpet); Charles Robertson (trombone); Barny Robertson (keyboards); Jerry Bridges (bass guitar); Ritchie Albright (drums).

Additional personnel: Jessi Colter (piano); John Anderson, Montgomery Gentry, Travis Tritt.

Talk about not going gently into that good night. Waylon chooses the ultimate perch of conservative Nashville--the Ryman Auditorium--for the live swan song to his career as country's definitive outlaw. Despite his age and failing health, his booming baritone of a voice is in exceptional form here, and carries this riveting live document. Originally a rock-&-roll drummer, Jennings's proclivities were always to push country as far into rock-&-roll territory as possible, and here--with Elvis covers, an 11-piece band with horn section, and a bad attitude--he does just that.

The two-disc set includes the entire two-hour concert and features special guests such as Travis Tritt and Jennings's longtime companion, Jessi Colter, who duets with him on a killer version of "Suspicious Minds." Other highlights are a plaintive "Help Me Make It Through the Night," and the thematic pieces "Never Say Die" and "Goin' Down Rockin'." Despite the lighter fare, such as the pop misfire "Never Been to Spain," Jennings makes the most of his final show by going out rocking, and for a man who legendarily played every show like it was his last, it is a fitting conclusion.

(Note: A DVD featuring behind-the-scenes rehearsals and interviews with heavyweights Kris Kristofferson, Bobby Bare, and Willie Nelson is also included.) minimize