RIP Jerry Jeff Walker

Well, shit.



I was about to go to bed. Maybe I’ll play ¡Viva Terlingua! instead.

 

RIP.

Condolences to his wife, Betty Lou Thelma Liz.

 

Damn it.

 

Mr. Bojangles.....dance.

Also credited with introducing Jimmy Buffett to Key West. Hope Buffett gifted him some shares of Margaritaville Ltd.

 

They wrote Railroad Lady together, which is a near perfect song.

 

2020

 

My favorite “Jerry Jeff” songs:

“L.A. Freeway”

“Redneck Mother”

The Dead sometimes covered Mr. Walker.

 

I'm guessing old skinny Dennis is the only one he will miss. And I've sung the lyrics to LA Freeway every time I've been on I-5 or I-10 in the Southland. Down in Luckenbach, Texas, ain't nobody feeling no pain tonight but I imagine the train songs are getting a workout on the jukebox.

RIP to Jerry Jeff.

 

One of my all-time favorite recordings is this version of “Mr Bojangles,” played by David Bromberg. In this live recording, he explains how Jerry came up with the song:

 

RIP Jacky Jack. He put Austin on the map as a hothouse for musicians. He gave people a reason to look for Terlingua on the map - and then wonder why the hell they drove all the way out there once they got to Terlingua and looked around.

He not only wrote great songs, he put other, lesser known songwriters on the map. Guys like Guy Clark (L.A. Freeway), Gary P. Nunn (London Homesick Blues) who was also part of his backup group, the Lost Gonzo Band, Ray Wylie Hubbard (Up Against the Wall Redneck Mothers), and many more made money when Jerry Jeff covered their songs and hit with them. He was influential as hell and a great live act.

Rest.



As to David Bromberg, I don't know of any other 6'5" Jewish kids from Philly who play folk/country/bluegrass/blues as well as he does. I highly rec his "How Late'll Ya Play Till" live album. Damn good work.

I know this is a Jerry Jeff thread, but here's Bromberg doing a fabulous Chicago blues. The lyrics, omg... well, listen to this, and stay till you get to the end, as it's something of a tour de force.

I will be there when you need me baby
but I don’t wanna be your toy -- listen here
If a plaything is all you want me for
You can get up, go out and get yourself another boy
Because I took that class
I graduated Phi Beta goddamn Kappa from that school
I’ll be your lover or your friend darling
But I’m never, ever, ever gonna be your fool

 

from the SOSH board