Album Review – Waylon Hanel’s “New Old Outlaws”

Yeah I know what you’re thinking, because I was thinking the same thing at first. “It takes a lot of guts to make country music with the name Waylon.” There are quite a few Hanks in country music, multiple legends named Johnny, and even a couple of Merles. But Waylon? There’s only one of them. Waylon Jennings named his own son Waylon, and even he goes by Shooter. There’s Waylon Payne, but when your mother’s Sammi Smith and your father’s Jody Payne, you can pull it off.
Ultimately though, what’s in a name? It probably got you to pay attention. And whether the name “Waylon” was truly pegged to him at birth or adopted in homage to The Hoss, it’s the music that should speak for Michigan-native Waylon Hanel, not the name. He’s a self-taught musician inspired by the Outlaws of country music like Waylon, Billy Joe Shaver, and Johnny Paycheck, and he’s looking to help continue that lineage into the future on his second EP-length album, New Old Outlaws.
The title track to this seven-song album is just about what you would expect from a guy named Waylon. Attitudinal and Outlaw, it’s one of those country songs that puffs its chest out, proclaims what is and isn’t country, and generally speaking, is the style of country protest song that has grown a bit tired and trite over the years. That said, “They ain’t making any new old Outlaws any more” is a damn good hook for a country song. And if your name is Waylon, it’s pretty much required you record one of these songs at some point.
But the dudes out there braying on and on about how badass they are and trying to work “you can kiss my ass” into verses are a dime a dozen, while the folks that actually know a thing or two about country music Outlaws know that ballads and heartfelt songs were just as much a part of the era, if not more than self-affirming country rock odes employing angry guitar tones. Luckily, Waylon Hanel knows this too.

Between two versions of “New Old Outlaws,” Waylon includes a handful of really well-written country songs that belie what your early assumptions of this artist may be. “Gypsy Angel” about the reasons life tests our sobriety is a great little country track. “Concrete Pastures” about how progress paves over our memories is also top quality writing. “Where Are You Tonight” is a straight up heartbreaker. And even though the Spanish textures of “Too Late To Turn Back Now” may be a little much, once again the writing resounds.
New Old Outlaws is one of those albums where someone outside of Nashville travels down to Music City to make a country album the right way. In this instance, Waylon Hanel worked with well-known songwriter and performer Bernie Nelson as producer and co-writer to make sure these songs were rendered perfectly and the writing was tight throughout.
Despite the name of the artist and the title of the album, this really isn’t Outlaw country aside from the title track. It’s just good country music, period. “We’ve Lived Those Songs (Back Then)” could be a country radio hit with its monster chorus, but remains traditional with the prominent steel guitar. New Old Outlaws is good stuff cover to cover. About the only qualm is a common one with 7-song albums: you just want a little more.
Ultimately, being an Outlaw or following in Waylon’s footsteps isn’t about a specific sound, style, or approach. It’s all about being true to yourself, and sounding country while doing it. That’s what Waylon Hanel pulls off on New Old Outlaws.
1 3/4 Guns Up (8/10)
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June 7, 2023 @ 12:51 pm
Which one of you typed “Waylon” “Hank Jr” and “Outlaw” and “create album” into ChatGPT??
June 7, 2023 @ 2:19 pm
There’s one Waylon, one Elvis….(and one Alvis) in country.
June 7, 2023 @ 2:30 pm
Well there’s more than one George! But then there’s a lot more Georges out there than Waylons.
June 7, 2023 @ 8:40 pm
For me, there are four great Georges: Washington, Jones, Strait and Foreman.
(Marty Stuart has been known to add George Jetson.)
June 7, 2023 @ 11:49 pm
Strait is just an over priced cover singer. He’s good singer but he can’t write a song of his own. He needs songwriters to give him material. Him n Garth biggest frauds in country music
June 8, 2023 @ 5:55 am
There’s something to that. I was not a big Strait fan, but he kind of won me over with his longevity and then going back and relhearing to some of his old, now-classic material
June 8, 2023 @ 9:06 am
I love great songwriters, but lots of great singers have never been songwriters, and gatekeeping art to the writing of a thing and not the performance is off-base.
Elvis Presley wasn’t a songwriter. Whitney Houston wasn’t a songwriter. Celine Dion isn’t a songwriter. George Jones wrote songs, but most of his greatest hits were written by someone else.
George Strait is a singer who deserves to be mentioned in that list by virtue of his ability to perform. He’s one of the most influential singers in Country Music history. Garth Brooks too.
Voice is an instrument, and the one who plays that instrument is no less an artist than any other player in a band.
June 8, 2023 @ 11:03 am
Actually since 2009 he’s been writing more and more. On his last album he wrote 8 of 13 tracks, so you’re statement is a little outdated.
June 8, 2023 @ 11:06 am
I went to a George Strait concert once, it was the most boring show I ever went to. His opening act was way more entertaining than him.
June 8, 2023 @ 1:44 pm
Sounds like hyperbole to me. You picked Garth (which obviously you have beef with) and this guy…. if the “him” you reference is Waylon from this record. Did you listen to the entire record? If so, you probably should state your true case or we all will see you as hyperbolic and the future comments will be seen with a grain of salt. I am not picking a fight here, but vitriol should be questioned for clarity.
June 7, 2023 @ 2:36 pm
Just a bit too much minor pentatonic and country boys and girls down on the farm vibe to be labeled outlaw, BUT that does not mean it should be ignored. I doubt he is saying that he is outlaw and I imagine folks will take it that way. It is country and I hope he thrives.
June 7, 2023 @ 4:38 pm
This is the good stuff right here that I’d never uncover without SCM. Agreed – left me wanting more….songs. Nice find Trigger
June 7, 2023 @ 5:01 pm
Definitely an album “worth” putting on the radar.
June 7, 2023 @ 5:15 pm
Here’s a challenge for one of you guitar outlaws: record a cover song from one of the women from the 1970’s outlaw country scene:
Sammi Smith
Rattlesnake Annie
Jesse Colter
June 7, 2023 @ 6:31 pm
Good stuff, kind of sounds like hank 3, his voice. Can never have enough of outlaw music.
June 8, 2023 @ 7:47 pm
No.
June 7, 2023 @ 8:34 pm
The term “outlaw country” just makes me cringe. They always name-drop Waylon, Willie, and Cash but somehow avoid recapturing any magic of ‘Amanda’, ‘I’ve Always been Crazy’, anything by Willie, or any of Cash’s rockabilly 60’s music. It’s just lazy plagarization of Charlie Daniel’s.
But it’s not up to me, congrats on your participation trophy from SCM.
June 7, 2023 @ 8:59 pm
Strait86,
Did you not read my review? That’s the whole arc of the review, and the revelation of this album. This guy’s name is Waylon and the title track is this big Outlaw anthem, but the rest of the album is heartfelt, quality songs just like the real “Outlaws” did as opposed to the stereotype. Waylon Handel gets it. That’s specifically why I wanted to feature this album. I specifically wanted to make that point.
You already started off this conversation with a smart ass comment. Now you’re coming back to take more shots at this guy? If you don’t like his music, I respect that. But the point of Saving Country Music is I give EVERYONE an opportunity at national publicity. This guy has no label, no representation. He’s totally independent, and out there trying to do something.
It’s really lame that these comments sections have just become a bunch of jackals waiting in the weeds to pounce and shit on whatever is posted. And if they can’t find some backdoor loophole to seethe about their favorite culture war issue, they’ll just incessantly shit on some independent artist just trying to get some attention for himself and his career.
Super fucking lame. Quit exploiting the fact that I try to keep these comments sections and open forum.
June 7, 2023 @ 9:43 pm
Dude you need to stop taking yourself and your supposed “mission” so seriously. People enjoy commenting here because it’s not an echo chamber of cheerleaders and because it’s not r\country or whatever on reddit.
Again, shut down the comment section if you cannot handle opposing views. Feel free to blame me again.
June 7, 2023 @ 10:56 pm
Dude, I’m perfectly fine with opposing views. Clearly. What I’m not okay with is folks being obsessively oppositional. I have a right to comment too.
June 7, 2023 @ 11:43 pm
Obsessively oppositional? The guy’s name is Waylon, and he engaged in using tired old cliques in his title cut. That is fair game for criticism regardless of what the rest of the album contains because he is choosing to make his title cut that song. I’m sorry but it is the opposite of being an “outlaw” if some internet criticism of the outlaw genre derails him. The outlaw country sub-genre and it’s continual use of cliques is worthy of some light ridicule.
And you are not perfectly fine with opposing views because you resorted to calling some of us “jackals”.
June 8, 2023 @ 7:40 am
It’s not oppositional though. I made that very point in this review. Twice.
June 8, 2023 @ 5:53 am
can we create a parallel environment for strait and king cracker jack to pontificate on? they’re right up there with antique furniture…
June 7, 2023 @ 9:46 pm
My comments are not addendums to your article. They are comments in a ‘Comment section.’ I do not understand your incessant drive to make sure everyone is a cheerleader.
June 8, 2023 @ 12:31 am
George strait king of country my ass, him n Garth Brooks king of bro country crap. Those two frauds couldn’t hold Waylon’s guitar. Waylon Jennings goat, right up there with Johnny, Hank
June 8, 2023 @ 5:05 am
Hey Richard, let me get this straight. Waylon is the GOAT? Because he wrote his songs he was the GOAT? George Strait is a fraud because he ” doesn’t write songs”? Hmmm….in between sips of coffee, here’s some fun facts for you. How many of these Waylon Jennings hit songs did Ol Waylon write? Amanda, Lonesome ,Onry and Mean, Rose in Paradise, Black Rose, Honky Tonk Heroes, Drinkin and Dreamin, Will the Wolf Survive, Working Without a Net, Ain’t Living Long Like This, Wondering What You’ll do When I’m Gone, America, Luckenbach Texas ( Back to the Basics of Love) Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line, Stop The World and let Me Off, Clyde, My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys, Mamas Don’t Let Your Baby’s Grow up to Be Cowboys, Theme from McArthur Park, Six White Horses, Lucille, I’m a Ramblin Man. Are you Ready For The Country.
Answer: NONE!!!!!! Nada, zero, zilch…..Waylon didn’t write those songs. Others wrote them.
How many hit songs did George Jones or Ray Price write? Don Williams? Oak Ridge Boys, Statler Brothers,. Could go on….probably half of the legends didn’t write at all or weren’t prolific writers. Waylon, in fact recorded far more covers than originals, same as Willie.
Is a frontman or star vocalist somehow lesser a talent than a writer or musician? To me , they are different disciplines in the art of ENTERTAINMENT. You don’t like Strait, I get it. But, lack of songwriting isn’t a legit reason. I’m guessing you don’t like his style and the fact that he’s hugely popular. ( the Garth Brooks effect)
June 8, 2023 @ 8:49 am
@Kev.
Point well taken, but obviously if you specifically make a list of songs that Waylon did not write, it will turn out that he wrote “NONE!!!!!! Nada, zero, zilch” of them.
Waylon wrote a bunch of his hits and seminal songs, and core ones, too: “Rainy Day Woman,” “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way,” “Just to Satisfy You,” “I’ve Always Been Crazy,” “Don’t You Think This Outlaw Bit’s Done Got Out of Hand,” “Waymore’s Blues,” “Bob Wills Is Still the King.” And most of the songs that Waylon wrote, he wrote solo, so it’s not like he got a writer’s credit for sitting in with three songwriters and suggesting a line for a song that was someone else’s creation.
Even in the ’90s, when Waylon was post-major-leagues, and not being played on radio he continued to make albums and to write a good deal of new songs for them. (“Too Dumb for New York City,(Too
Ugly for L.A.”, “Right for the Time.”) Artists run the continuum, but I’d say that Waylon falls in the category of artists who wrote A LOT and who revealed a lot of themselves though their writing.
Jones wrote or co-woter some songs when he was starting out (including “Why, Baby, Why?” which became a hit for Pierce) but did not write later.
June 8, 2023 @ 8:55 am
Hey Kevin, it’s true Waylon covered other people’s songs but he wrote a lot of his own too (something strait can’t do), same as Johnny which makes them artists. Waylon could take other people’s songs and make them his own. That’s what made him unique. Your boy strait need a team of writers to find songs for him. He may be good singer but he just gets by on looks. You’re right I don’t like his bro country style (generic) and I could care less how hugely popular he is, he sure fooled a lot of people. George Jones is way better singer than your boy strait. As for the garth brooks effect, check out Jackson Brown, he’ll tell you how big a fraud he is.
June 8, 2023 @ 7:09 am
It’s really lame that these comments sections have just become a bunch of jackals waiting in the weeds to pounce and shit on whatever is posted. And if they can’t find some backdoor loophole to seethe about their favorite culture war issue, they’ll just incessantly shit on some independent artist just trying to get some attention for himself and his career.
Bingo.
June 8, 2023 @ 2:03 pm
It’s clear some didn’t bother to listen to the album or read the article before going off on this kid’s name, album title, and the whole Outlaw scene. While there are some cliched artists and copycats in all genres and styles, i myself greatly enjoy some good Outlaw Country. Old and new.
June 8, 2023 @ 5:56 am
I like this. Kinda reminds me of Addison Johnson who also can play a good outlaw song, but doesn’t hang his hat on that one particular sound. Going to check out the rest of this album. Thanks.
June 8, 2023 @ 7:51 am
Kid is lucky he wasn’t born with a “d” in his last name; he’d have two sets of genre watchdogs on his trail.
Look, he IS a name-drop, so I think he’s getting that business over with on the title cut. Maybe including a ’69 383 Hemi sitting in the weeds (astronomically unlikely on a couple counts) is a clue to the listener that he’s not taking himself too seriously as an “Outlaw”.
Enjoyed this album, and his EP. Nice to hear a traditional sound without a patina imposed upon it. Looking forward to watching him grow.
June 8, 2023 @ 2:00 pm
Oh, Hello …
A ’69 ‘Cuda with a 383 Hemi … ?
Now we’re talking
October 26, 2023 @ 8:19 pm
I just saw Waylon sing in person. He is a true country singer and does not take himself to seriously. You got a problem with his name take it up with his parents, he didn’t pick it. He is a hell of a singer, guitar player and writer. Before he sings any song he tells who wrote it and why it was written, giving credit where credit is due. He is very entertaining and I meet him at intermission and he is a true gentleman even at his young age. Thank you for reviewing this new and up coming country singer.