On this episode, we discuss the 1975 album by Jerry Jeff Walker, Ridin’ High. Prior to moving to Austin, Texas, Walker was essentially a folkie, but he distinguished himself by penning "Mr. Bojangles” a song covered almost as many times as "Yesterday" and by a very wide variety of artists, most famously by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. After he and the Lost Gonzo Band recorded the highly influential Cosmic American music masterpiece Viva Terlingua, an outlaw country legend was born.
By the time Ridin’ High came to be, Walker decided to take his music to the next level by augmenting his Lost Gonzo band with some of Nashville's finest session musicians, including ubiquitous session drummer, Kenny Buttrey, and the great fiddle player (and former Texas Playboy), Johnny Gimble. The results are an album of serious musicianship that never takes itself too seriously. If you are at all familiar with Jerry Jeff Walker, then chances are you know some of these songs. It's a fine album containing some of Walker's best tunes, along with some outstanding songs penned by others, including members of his band and Willie Nelson.
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