Personnel includes: Waylon Jennings (vocals, guitar); Joe P. Allen, James Colvard, Johnny Gimble, Billy Ray Reynolds, Randy Scruggs, Merle Watson, John Wilkin, Larry Whitmore (guitar); Ralph Mooney (steel guitar); Buddy Spicher (fiddle); Charlie McCoy, Roger Crabtree (harmonica); Charles L. Cochran (piano); Duke Goff (bass); Richie Albright, Kenny Malone (drums).
Producers: Waylon Jennings, Jack Clement, Ray Pennington, Richie Albright.
Reissue producer: Rob Santos.
Principally recorded at Glaser Sound Studios and Clement Studios, Nashville, Tennessee in 1974 & 1975. Originally released on RCA (11062). Includes liner notes by Rich Kienzle.
Digitally remastered by Elliott Federman (SAJE Sound, New York, New York).
DREAMING MY DREAMS was one of the groundbreaking, Jack Clement-produced albums that helped cement Jennings' legend as a country outlaw in the mid-'70s. The fact that Jennings cares little for Nashville convention is apparent from the opening cut "Are You Sure Hank Done it This Way." Over a bed of processed guitar and thumping drums, Waylon delivers verse after verse (look ma, no chorus!) expressing his insecurities about his chosen profession as well as his pride in exploring new directions. "I Recall a Gypsy Woman" is a mysterious-sounding tale that features Waylon's patented stomping 2/4 beat, fusing rock and country.
Jennings pays further tribute to Hank Williams by recording his "Let's Turn Back the Years," but true to Hank's own rebel spirit, ol' Waylon takes some liberties with the tune. "Waymore's Blues" features one of Jennings' better lyrics, sporting the existentialist streak that appeared in his work from time to time. The album closes with a live version of "Bob Wills is Still the King," wherein Waylon lets his audience know that no matter how far afield he ventures, he still remembers where he came from. Next to HONKY TONK HEROES, DREAMING MY DREAMS is the best of Waylon's middle period.
