fuche_bu's Full Review: Willie and the Wheel [Digipak] by Willie Nelson
You have to love a guy like Willie Nelson. The guy is pushing 80 and still making great music. He's just having a lot of fun putting out whatever kind of music he wants. He's done a reggae album, a blues album and a jazz album in recent years. This is an artist with nothing left to prove. The result is some exceptional music.
But for the latest effort, he has gone back to his roots. The long awaited collaboration between Willie and Western Swing legends Asleep At The Wheel is now a reality. This was a project envisioned by late producer Jerry Wexler. It seems like a natural fit. Willie has always been comfortable exploring different facets of Country music. He's also a musician that swings.
This project was designed to allow the band to show off their musical chops while letting Willie do what he does best. Willie is fortunate in that his voice has aged very well. I'm sure many will contend that he doesn't have the range he once had. What he does have is a lot more experience and character in his voice.
There is also a great chemistry between Willie and AATW. The band is in full swing. The horn section shines throughout. Things open up with a rollicking version of Hesitation Blues. This is an old traditional song often covered by Hot Tuna. The second song is one of my favorites. Sweet Jennie Lee is one of those infectious songs that will have you singing and humming for days. It's a fun song that will get the toes tapping.
I also really like their version of Arthur Sizemore's Right or Wrong. Somehow Willie singing "I still you baby, right or wrong" just seems right. It's classic Western swing. There are also numerous traditional songs that are brilliantly executed. I like the versions of Corrine Corrina and Oh You Pretty Woman. Guitarist Ray Benson did a wonderful job of arranging the old traditional songs.
My favorite among the traditional tunes is Sitting On Top of the World. This song features some back up vocals from Elizabeth McQueen. She adds a nice complement to Willie's voice. Another great tune is a cover of Shame on You. You'd think Willie singing shame on you would be wrong. Well it's so wrong that it comes out right. Another track to listen for is South featuring Paul Shaffer and Vince Gill. Shaffer provides some nice piany lines on this one. I almost felt like I was walking into an old Saloon in Truckee.
I have to recommend this one for anyone who likes Western Swing and remembers what country music is supposed to be. This will also be pleasing to longtime Willie fans. He became a legend for a reason. This disc will provide many clues if you're looking for those reasons. It's likely to become an essential disc.
Jerry Wexler s long-overdue concept album takes Willie Nelson back to his musical roots. Teamed up with Ray Benson and the master musicianship of Asle...More at Buy.com
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