This Weary Way

While Wayne Scott's name will probably be unfamiliar to most acoustic music lovers, they will nonetheless be familiar with his son, Darrell Scott, who has recorded several solo albums. This Weary Way, in fact, is a dream realized by father and son working in unison. Wayne Scott had long dreamed of recording and had even played country music in barrooms during the 1970s. It would be some 30 years down the line, though, before Scott, at 71, realized his dream thanks to the help of his son. Rich in country, folk, and blues, This Weary Way relies heavily on Wayne Scott's original songs and a talented cast of musicians to put the project across. The album opens with a nice duet with Guy Clark on "It's the Whisky That Eases the Pain," a song that includes the great lines: "Eve told Adam that she had apples for sale/He bought the first one, I bought the last one, what the hell?" Interestingly, he follows with "Sunday with My Son," a song filled with the kind of homespun observations that Clark is known for. Wayne Scott's rustic, low-key vocals give his songs an air of authenticity, and the simple, mostly acoustic arrangements second this impression. From time to time, Scott reminds one of his country music idols. "The Writer" evokes Johnny Cash, while "What I Really Need Is You" recalls Hank Williams. There's also a live version of "Folsom Prison Blues" at the end of the album, and a good cover of the classic "Crash on the Highway." This Weary Way is an enjoyable, non-pretentious recording, and listeners will be glad that Scott finally got around to making it. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., Rovi