It seems the red-headed stranger created quite a self-fulfilling prophecy for himself. The years go by, he continues to put out great music, yet I rarely hear anyone discuss him. Hey, I’m guilty too. I never wrote about Willie’s 2006 album Songbird (a collaboration with Ryan Adams) but it was a phenomenal album. Willie released a new album today called Moment of Forever and I haven’t heard it, but I’m mentioning it just the same. Don’t be a stranger, Willie Nelson.
Like every album he releases, I’m holding my breath hoping that he’s still got it without completely abandoning his credibility with another shameful collaboration (like his upcoming work with Ashlee Simpson or Beyonce). This is his video for “Gravedigger,” originally penned by Dave Matthews. I’ve decided to give Willie the benefit of the doubt on this. Originally I felt that it just reeked of opportunism after Johny Cash’s success with his version of “Hurt.” Then I remembered that it’s Willie Nelson, so who really cares? I just wish that he could have found a better song. That “ring around the posey” line makes me extremely uncomfortable.
Willie Nelson – “Gravedigger” Video
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Johnny Cash – “Hurt” Video
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Willie’s the best. I saw him live a few years back. He opened up for Bob Dylan on Dylan’s nationwide minor league ball park tour. Wichita, Kansas. Man, what a great show. And let me tell ya, Dylan and Willie both still have it.
Yeah, Willie’s great! I’ll always remember sometime back in the summer of my jr. high school years, he played at some fair ground in Springfield, IL or Peoria, IL. Not sure which…it’s def been awhile. Anyhow, they backed up two hey trailers to each other in the middle of a rodeo arena, put up an American Flag as a backdrop and Willie did his thing. It was one of those memories that you appreciate a little more after the fact…like 15 years after the fact. At the time I remember saying something stupid like…”what’s up with his guitar, “Trigger”… it’s got a hole in it? I was just learning about songs like Whiskey River..which I still love. Those were back in the days of Willie and his tax evasion troubles. Years before his “Green” tour bus. And probably right about the time he started playing with the idea of doing cross-over collaborations with other artists outside of his genre. (I could be wrong about that) But I think that he and Julio Iglesias had recently been riding high on the charts with “To All The Girls I’ve loved Before”.
Also, check out the album “Teatro” that he did with one of my favorite producer’s, Daniel Lanois back in ‘98. Cool stuff.
He also released Spirit in 1996 that was incredible. It was a self-produced (I think) concept album that really showcased his guitar skills. It seemed to fly under the radar.
My parents listened to Willie non-stop while I grew up, so his music brings back a lot of memories.
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