If you chance to be driving across the beautiful barrens that is West Texas, listen to some Waylon Jennings, because this was his neck of the woods. If you know his music, it will feel like a just homage to a worthy ancestor. If you don't know his music, it will feel like a ticket into the afterlife of somebody who survived more than you ever will.
I heard "Big Mamou" for the first time last weekend, and wondered how I could have missed it before. Apparently Buddy Holly had the idea that Jennings should do some songs in Cajun patois, even if he had to fake it, and so he did "Jolie Blon" and "Big Mamou." The linguistic results sound a bit more like Melungeon truck-stop patois to me. But, cher, the odd contretemps when he decides to pick his Fender Telecaster like it is a mandolin, in the place where the accordion would normally go. . . Ima tellin' you....no matter what you order, you will be served.
