Produced by multi-Grammy-winning producer Jim Gaines, Waiting for the Train was recorded at the Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, with additional recording at Bessie Blue Studio in Stantonville, Tennessee. On the new disc, Rawls is backed by his long-standing recording unit, The Rays: Johnny McGhee - guitar; Bob Trenchard - bass; Richy Puga - drums; Dan Ferguson - keyboards; Andy Roman - alto/tenor sax; Mike Middleton - trumpet; Nick Flood - baritone/tenor sax; Joel Chavarria - trombone; with Jon Olazabal - percussion; and backing vocals by Janelle Thompson and Shakara Weston. Waiting for the Train features five originals co-written by Rawls, with Johnny adding his own distinctive vocal stamp on songs previously recorded by Bobby Womack ("I'm in Love"), Bob Dylan ("I Shall Be Released"), Tyrone Davis ("Turning Point") and Syl Johnson ("We Did It").