Buddah's outstanding reissue program has put another sorely missed (and sorely needed) record back into circulation.

For several reasons, "This Time", originally issued on LP in 1974, stands as a landmark in the "outlaw" (now alt.country) movement in country music. The first Waylon album to be recorded outside of RCA-owned studios since 1964, it was originally declined for release on the grounds that, because it was not recorded in RCA studios and no RCA engineers were used, it violated the contract AFTRA had with RCA. Waylon held firm, and the record was released. Another reason was that then-producer Danny Davis rejected the title song five years earlier. That very song became Waylon's first #1 record (Billboard, 1974). The album that almost wasn't rose to #4 in the summer of 1974.

So, how about the music? The music has held up well. The CD was mastered from the album masters, so it is a bit top-heavy on the treble. But the bass is very present, especially on songs like "Louisiana Women" and "This Time".

The five bonus tracks are a real treat. Three of the tracks, "That'll Be The Day", "If You're Goin, Girl", and "It Doesn't Matter Anymore", have never been heard by the public. The other two are previously unreleased alternate versions of previously available tracks.

This album is infused with Willie Nelson's sensibility , writing and production. But make no mistake, this all Waylon, singing real and modern western songs at a level that no one has reached since. Recorded in 1974, just before the "Outlaw" lable was to take hold, this album sets a high water mark that still has not been reached in today's recordings. The sound is pristine. The song selection is what really makes this a great recording. It miness modern western themes much like the early writing of Larry McMurtry.Each song is personal yet universal. Waylon's voice moves deeply and passionately thru the western terrains calling up old cowboy songs, coyote wilderness, and a lamentation for what has been lost. The singing can not be matched.The additional five CD recordings added to this compilation detract from the original album, coming from different recording periods and would have been better placed on recordings from those sessions. Still this is a five star collection.

Excellent early Waylon album! Almost perfect tempo all through it! I listen to it almost daily as I work on the internet!!

Here is a brilliant and versatile artist that I believe is better than J.Cash, or W. Nelson but for some reason didn't get the accolades deserved of his talent.

I already had this CD but it started to mess up so had to get a replacement.

Excellent CD and I like "Lady In The Harbor" and "Medley" with the Crickets the

best. Highly recommend!