STEADYMOBBIN 22
Footballguy
I was flat out wrong. Apparently Willie hated hard drugs and cigarettes.
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Walkin' with Willie Nelson - Willie's new tribute album to Merle (album #78) with the same old dog (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Eephus
- Start date
I was flat out wrong. Apparently Willie hated hard drugs and cigarettes.
Eephus
Footballguy
I've watched two Dyan Cannon movies this week: Honeysuckle Rose and Deathtrap. Over the decades her reputation has diminished to some old floozy hanging out at Lakers games but she's a defining female lead of the 70s adding layers to the dumb blonde roles she was often cast in. And she was married to Cary Grant.
I'd make accommodations for her if she comes with the Spielberg divorce money.
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bigbottom
Footballguy
Many thanks and of course you are 100% correct. But my guitars almost never go to collectors who play (or plan to play them), and it’s not like I’m going to tell Eddie Van Halen or Jeff Beck where to sign a guitar when I’m standing there. As an aside, our Chance for Hope event was last night, and the Jeff Beck Signature model Strat autographed by Jeff last September went for $10k! Of course, the winner could probably turn around and sell it today for twice that, but he won’t because he’s a big time collector. Anyway, thanks!
Eephus
Footballguy
Another new song from Willie in advance of an upcoming album. It's another version of his breakup song "You Left Me a Long, Long Time Ago". He previously recorded it in the 70s when he was still in Nashville, in the 80s as a duet with Brenda Lee and in 2005 on his Reggae album Countryman.
The new album is called Bluegrass so the new song is given a traditional string band arrangement. Willie's voice seems a bit thinner than on the Harlan Howard tribute album. The new version is very nice, arguably better than the countrypolitan sounding original.
The new album is called Bluegrass so the new song is given a traditional string band arrangement. Willie's voice seems a bit thinner than on the Harlan Howard tribute album. The new version is very nice, arguably better than the countrypolitan sounding original.
Eephus
Footballguy
Willie's new album Bluegrass is out today. As the title suggests, it's a record of twelve songs from Nelson's vast back catalog done up in traditional bluegrass arrangements. The song choices include some familiar along with deeper cuts.
I can quibble a bit. Willie does more talk-singing that usual and Trigger is nowhere to be heard but the album is a pure joy. He and the ace group of pickers assembled for the recording all sound delighted to be there. Most bluegrass singers stick more to the beat but Willie sings the way he always has which seems to work in the context of his songs. When all is said and done, Bluegrass won't go down among his masterpieces but it's a very enjoyable listen for fans of the genre and/or Willie.
The album cover is a blue tinted drawing of Willie's smiling face emerging from a bunch of grass or marijuana plants. The album title is in an arched script and looks like it's printed on his headband. The whole effect reminds me a bit of Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz but your mileage may vary.
youtu.be
We celebrated Happy Lou Year last month to mark the third anniversary of him coming home with us. He's 7 or 8 now and is pretty set in his ways. I'm sorry that he'll always be afraid of the outside world but I'm glad we've provided him with a place where he can feel safe. It's hard to express how sweet and gentle the little guy is but he's still painfully shy with anyone or anything but us. Out of 100 encounters with other dogs, he'll avoid 90 of them and react negatively to 8 but every so often he'll share a nice moment which is enough for me to keep trying to acclimate him better. One of the positive encounters recently was with a dog belonging to a local Onlyfans model with 1.5M Instagram followers. She now says hi to me when I see her at the dog park which made this old guy's day.
I can quibble a bit. Willie does more talk-singing that usual and Trigger is nowhere to be heard but the album is a pure joy. He and the ace group of pickers assembled for the recording all sound delighted to be there. Most bluegrass singers stick more to the beat but Willie sings the way he always has which seems to work in the context of his songs. When all is said and done, Bluegrass won't go down among his masterpieces but it's a very enjoyable listen for fans of the genre and/or Willie.
The album cover is a blue tinted drawing of Willie's smiling face emerging from a bunch of grass or marijuana plants. The album title is in an arched script and looks like it's printed on his headband. The whole effect reminds me a bit of Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz but your mileage may vary.
On the Road Again
Provided to YouTube by Legacy RecordingsOn the Road Again · Willie NelsonBluegrass℗ 2023 Sony Music EntertainmentReleased on: 2023-09-15Acoustic Bass: Barry...
youtu.be
We celebrated Happy Lou Year last month to mark the third anniversary of him coming home with us. He's 7 or 8 now and is pretty set in his ways. I'm sorry that he'll always be afraid of the outside world but I'm glad we've provided him with a place where he can feel safe. It's hard to express how sweet and gentle the little guy is but he's still painfully shy with anyone or anything but us. Out of 100 encounters with other dogs, he'll avoid 90 of them and react negatively to 8 but every so often he'll share a nice moment which is enough for me to keep trying to acclimate him better. One of the positive encounters recently was with a dog belonging to a local Onlyfans model with 1.5M Instagram followers. She now says hi to me when I see her at the dog park which made this old guy's day.
Eephus
Footballguy
I thought I did but I never did a writeup on Willie's collaboration with Billy Strings on "California Sober". Today would have been a good day to do it because of the "What's Normal? - Do you regularly drink alcohol non-socially? " on the front page of the FFA but I think I'll just go listen to Bluegrass again.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
Thanks for the heads up. I did see the single pop up once but couldn’t listen then, and forgot all about it. Now I’m glad the full album is out.
simey
Footballguy
I saw Willie last Friday at the Outlaw Festival. I think he sounded the best I've heard him in the last three years. Maybe it's because he quit smoking pot. He still digest it, but not smoking it anymore has given his lungs a break. He would take a deep breath sometimes before he would sing, and I guess that helped. Some songs he still spoke-sang them, but he carried the note much further than in recent years, and he was in strong voice. His son, Lukas, was with him. They sang some songs together, and some separately, and Willie sang the most himself. Willie has always sang gospel songs at the end of his set, but I noticed he sang more songs within his setlist that seem to tap into his mortality. He sang his classics, but he also sang his songs Not Dead Yet, I Thought About You, Lord, and he and Lukas did a great cover of Pearl Jam's Just Breathe. Trigger sounded as good as ever. Willie did a long solo on Trigger and the crowd went wild, and he looked over at Lukas and gave him this huge smile. That was one of the best parts of the evening.
simey
Footballguy
I wonder what he is dreaming about in that deep sleep.I was planning to post this when the record came out but forgot.
I've mentioned before how quiet Lou is but here's a rare recording of the sounds he makes (very infrequently) while in a deep sleep. Other than this he's pretty much silent.
Recorder
recorder.google.com
Eephus
Footballguy
Metaphysics
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Was he really comfortable around that giant dog in a couple of those pictures of the model? Or was she walking a different dog?
Eephus
Footballguy
She had both of her dogs with her but Lou bonded with the gigantic Great Dane named Charlie. Who knows, maybe he didn't recognize it as a dog but he wasn't afraid for some reason.
Charlie is a friendly lug who always comes over to lean against me. He has a big of a drooling issue though.
Eephus
Footballguy
Last night CBS showed his 90th birthday celebration concert at the Hollywood Bowl that took place back in April. It's streaming on Paramount+ now if you have that. The show was coordinated with the release of the live album from the concert. They had to cut a lot to fit into a two hour TV timeslot and to make room for celebrity intro segments and a ton of commercials. The show was entertaining and very guest star heavy--Willie didn't make his appearance until the 1:20 mark. He performed from a chair but sounded pretty good. He had a handful of solos on Trigger and can still play better at 90 than most younger cats.
As far as the guest shot highlights, Jamey Johnson did a powerful version of "Georgia on my Mind". Willie's son Lukas sounded great and it was nice to see The Chicks on TV again. The emotional peak was Rosanne Cash and a very old looking Kris Kristofferson dueting on "Loving Her Was Easier". I have my quibbles about which guests got air time and which ones missed the cut but it wasn't a bad cross section. The director showed too many crowd shots and cut to Sheryl Crow during Willie's first guitar solo but the production didn't detract from the performances.
The album is 53 tracks spanning 3 hours and 15 minutes. I haven't had the time to listen yet. I kind of doubt there's anything essential but it promises to be a good listen. Willie has so many great songs and there was obviously a lot of love on stage that weekend.
Lou has another ear infection and hates the rain like most dogs. Other than that, he's doing well. He's so quiet you forget he's there sometimes even when he's right next to you. For a dog who's afraid of the world, he's amazingly calm when he's in the comfort of his home.
open.spotify.com
As far as the guest shot highlights, Jamey Johnson did a powerful version of "Georgia on my Mind". Willie's son Lukas sounded great and it was nice to see The Chicks on TV again. The emotional peak was Rosanne Cash and a very old looking Kris Kristofferson dueting on "Loving Her Was Easier". I have my quibbles about which guests got air time and which ones missed the cut but it wasn't a bad cross section. The director showed too many crowd shots and cut to Sheryl Crow during Willie's first guitar solo but the production didn't detract from the performances.
The album is 53 tracks spanning 3 hours and 15 minutes. I haven't had the time to listen yet. I kind of doubt there's anything essential but it promises to be a good listen. Willie has so many great songs and there was obviously a lot of love on stage that weekend.
Lou has another ear infection and hates the rain like most dogs. Other than that, he's doing well. He's so quiet you forget he's there sometimes even when he's right next to you. For a dog who's afraid of the world, he's amazingly calm when he's in the comfort of his home.
Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 (Live At The Hollywood Bowl) - Album by Willie Nelson | Spotify
Willie Nelson · album · 2023 · 53 songs
open.spotify.com
tri-man 47
Footballguy
I only wandered in when his son, Lukas, was singing ...and he sounded fantastic (voice and guitar).Last night CBS showed his 90th birthday celebration concert at the Hollywood Bowl that took place back in April. It's streaming on Paramount+ now if you have that. The show was coordinated with the release of the live album from the concert. They had to cut a lot to fit into a two hour TV timeslot and to make room for celebrity intro segments and a ton of commercials. The show was entertaining and very guest star heavy--Willie didn't make his appearance until the 1:20 mark. He performed from a chair but sounded pretty good. He had a handful of solos on Trigger and can still play better at 90 than most younger cats.
As far as the guest shot highlights, Jamey Johnson did a powerful version of "Georgia on my Mind". Willie's son Lukas sounded great and it was nice to see The Chicks on TV again. The emotional peak was Rosanne Cash and a very old looking Kris Kristofferson dueting on "Loving Her Was Easier". I have my quibbles about which guests got air time and which ones missed the cut but it wasn't a bad cross section. The director showed too many crowd shots and cut to Sheryl Crow during Willie's first guitar solo but the production didn't detract from the performances.
The album is 53 tracks spanning 3 hours and 15 minutes. I haven't had the time to listen yet. I kind of doubt there's anything essential but it promises to be a good listen. Willie has so many great songs and there was obviously a lot of love on stage that weekend.
Lou has another ear infection and hates the rain like most dogs. Other than that, he's doing well. He's so quiet you forget he's there sometimes even when he's right next to you. For a dog who's afraid of the world, he's amazingly calm when he's in the comfort of his home.
Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 (Live At The Hollywood Bowl) - Album by Willie Nelson | Spotify
Willie Nelson · album · 2023 · 53 songs
UncleZen
Footballguy
I caught him the the Outlaw festival on 10/13 and you are right, he sounded better than he has for the last several years. He didn't have Lukas with him at this show but he did have the son of his longtime guitarist Jody Payne play with him. I thought that was pretty cool.
Eephus
Footballguy
Willie has a new record coming out in May called The Border. It'll be his 75th studio album which is an achievement few can match. It's another collaboration with Buddy Cannon who's done some strong work with late-career Willie.
The title track dropped today. It's a cover of a Rodney Crowell song from a few years back sung from the perspective of a US Border Patrol agent. It's a somber song that contrasts his daily job in the verse with his domestic life in the chorus. Willie's voice sounds grizzled but that fits with the dirge-like quality of the song. He omits Crowell's verse about the agent's corrupt colleagues in prison. The best part of the song for me is the extended instrumental outro where Willie plays Trigger in a lower register accompanying a Mexican sounding electric lead. As far as Nelson songs with "border" in the title, I'd slot "The Border" beneath the magnificent "Across the Borderline" but ahead of his version of Elton John's "Border Song".
Lou sends his regards. Today a puppy ran up on him while we were high tailing it through the park. Lou was having none of it but the puppy persisted. I can usually see these types of situations developing and get Lou out of harm's way. He's probably forgotten all about it now but he was visibly nervous for a few blocks afterwards.
The title track dropped today. It's a cover of a Rodney Crowell song from a few years back sung from the perspective of a US Border Patrol agent. It's a somber song that contrasts his daily job in the verse with his domestic life in the chorus. Willie's voice sounds grizzled but that fits with the dirge-like quality of the song. He omits Crowell's verse about the agent's corrupt colleagues in prison. The best part of the song for me is the extended instrumental outro where Willie plays Trigger in a lower register accompanying a Mexican sounding electric lead. As far as Nelson songs with "border" in the title, I'd slot "The Border" beneath the magnificent "Across the Borderline" but ahead of his version of Elton John's "Border Song".
Lou sends his regards. Today a puppy ran up on him while we were high tailing it through the park. Lou was having none of it but the puppy persisted. I can usually see these types of situations developing and get Lou out of harm's way. He's probably forgotten all about it now but he was visibly nervous for a few blocks afterwards.
simey
Footballguy
His voice does sound grizzled, and it clears a bit at times, especially on the chorus when he is singing more than speaking. I love the music in it. I wonder if the rest of the album will resemble the style in this song. I look forward to hearing it.Willie has a new record coming out in May called The Border. It'll be his 75th studio album which is an achievement few can match. It's another collaboration with Buddy Cannon who's done some strong work with late-career Willie.
The title track dropped today. It's a cover of a Rodney Crowell song from a few years back sung from the perspective of a US Border Patrol agent. It's a somber song that contrasts his daily job in the verse with his domestic life in the chorus. Willie's voice sounds grizzled but that fits with the dirge-like quality of the song. He omits Crowell's verse about the agent's corrupt colleagues in prison. The best part of the song for me is the extended instrumental outro where Willie plays Trigger in a lower register accompanying a Mexican sounding electric lead. As far as Nelson songs with "border" in the title, I'd slot "The Border" beneath the magnificent "Across the Borderline" but ahead of his version of Elton John's "Border Song".
Lou sends his regards. Today a puppy ran up on him while we were high tailing it through the park. Lou was having none of it but the puppy persisted. I can usually see these types of situations developing and get Lou out of harm's way. He's probably forgotten all about it now but he was visibly nervous for a few blocks afterwards.
My regards to Lou.
the moops
Footballguy
I was curious who may have had more. Zappa had 100+. Buckethead had over 300????
Eephus
Footballguy
Willie is playing the shed circuit this summer bundled as the Outlaw Music Festival tour. Dylan is playing all dates with the third billed duties split between John Mellencamp and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss.
I considered it for a hot second but I swore I'd never go back to Shoreline Amphitheater after seeing The Cure there last summer.
I considered it for a hot second but I swore I'd never go back to Shoreline Amphitheater after seeing The Cure there last summer.
Eephus
Footballguy
Haydn wrote 106 symphonies but would have been good for at least a hundred more if there had been a KFC in Vienna.
Eephus
Footballguy
Crowell's original version features a nice accordion part by Rory Hoffman. It comes from a Texas-themed concept album he released in 2019. I don't associate Rodney with being a Texan but he was born in Houston. I've added the record to my never ending queue.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Both the Willie and Family four part documentary and the 90th Birthday Party concert are on Paramount plus these days.
Eephus
Footballguy
Willie's 75th album The Border came out this week. It's another Buddy Cannon record who knows how to play to Willie's strengths. The Border returns to Willie's singer/songwriter roots after two recent albums of covers. Four of the ten songs were composed by Nelson and Cannon but the remaining six fit in seamlessly. Willie is in good voice but mostly sticks to ballads. The most up tempo song is the Western Swing number "Made in Texas" which Willie talk-sings his way through. Trigger makes a welcome return after mostly staying in its case for Willie's Bluegrass album. I'm more impressed by his picking at age 90 than his singing.
Lou's homebody lifestyle has been disrupted the past few months as Mrs. Eephus' parents have been dealing with some health issues. We've spent a lot of time with them over at their place. It took a while for Lou to adjust to the change in venue--he followed me like a shadow for the first couple of weeks. Louis' still isn't entirely comfortable there; even when he's relaxing it's rare to find him sleeping. I think he's afraid we're going to leave him there because whenever I head down to the garage, he pops up and gives chase to make sure I'm not headed out the door. It has been nice to have Lou there as a comfort and distraction. I'll always remember him sitting in grammy's lap and calming her while the paramedics checked out papa in the other room. Fortunately things have improved since then so we're not over there as much these days. Louis never says anything but I'm sure he agrees.
Lou's homebody lifestyle has been disrupted the past few months as Mrs. Eephus' parents have been dealing with some health issues. We've spent a lot of time with them over at their place. It took a while for Lou to adjust to the change in venue--he followed me like a shadow for the first couple of weeks. Louis' still isn't entirely comfortable there; even when he's relaxing it's rare to find him sleeping. I think he's afraid we're going to leave him there because whenever I head down to the garage, he pops up and gives chase to make sure I'm not headed out the door. It has been nice to have Lou there as a comfort and distraction. I'll always remember him sitting in grammy's lap and calming her while the paramedics checked out papa in the other room. Fortunately things have improved since then so we're not over there as much these days. Louis never says anything but I'm sure he agrees.
Eephus
Footballguy
Willie released another new single in advance of his 76th (!) studio album coming out this fall. It's a cover of Tom Waits' "Last Leaf"; a song sung from the perspective of a leaf clinging to a tree against the forces of nature. He's sad and empathetic about the leaves that have fallen but defiant that they won't take him down. It's a lovely arrangement with Trigger sneaking into the mix on the later verses with a nice counterpoint line.
I'll be here through eternity
If you want to know how long
If they cut down this tree
I'll show up in a song
I'm excited about the upcoming album because Willie's son Micah is producing. Buddy Cannon has done some great work with Willie in recent years but maybe a younger producer will shake Willie's comfort zone a bit. The tracklist of the record only has two Willie originals but an intriguing list of covers of Nina Simone, Beck and Warren Zevon.
Lou is still Lou coming up on our fourth anniversary together. He's no less anxious when another dog approaches him but even more calm and affectionate when he's in his comfort zone with us. Here's a picture of him at Golden Gate Park today shortly before we listened to the new Willie song.
I'll be here through eternity
If you want to know how long
If they cut down this tree
I'll show up in a song
I'm excited about the upcoming album because Willie's son Micah is producing. Buddy Cannon has done some great work with Willie in recent years but maybe a younger producer will shake Willie's comfort zone a bit. The tracklist of the record only has two Willie originals but an intriguing list of covers of Nina Simone, Beck and Warren Zevon.
Lou is still Lou coming up on our fourth anniversary together. He's no less anxious when another dog approaches him but even more calm and affectionate when he's in his comfort zone with us. Here's a picture of him at Golden Gate Park today shortly before we listened to the new Willie song.
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rockaction
Footballguy
It’s really been four years. Time flies. Thanks for keeping your journal of your walks with Bosley and Lou, Eephus. Your writing has shown a wisdom that is accessible rather than intellectual abstractions that are abstruse or puzzling. Thanks for doing this, even if it is a byproduct of something you like or need to do for yourself. I have found it edifying over the years. But you know that. Just a simple thank you from me.
simey
Footballguy
I went to the Outlaw Festival in June, and Willie wasn't feeling well, so he didn't play. Lukas took over his dad's parts, and the set was still good. Willie rejoined the festival a week or two later. Bob Dylan was good. He sang and played the piano the whole time. He played a lot of deep cuts and some covers. He didn't have much to say to the audience, but I reckon Bob saves his words for his songs. Robert Plant was spry and sounded great and so did Alison. Celisse played as well, and she was really good. She has a good voice and she can rock that guitar!
Eephus
Footballguy
It's hard to believe when he's snuggling up on my shoulder like a baby but Lou is now a middle-aged dog of 8 or 9. He's added a little gray around his muzzle over the past year or so. He's still sprightly when he's out and about and his short legs always keep up with my long ones, especially when he's booking towards home.
simey
Footballguy
He is as cute as can be in that photo. He looks happy.
Eephus
Footballguy
Sings Kristofferson (1979)
Willie was at the top of his game when he recorded this album of songs written by Kris Kristofferson (RIP). I hope I'm not speaking ill of the recently deceased by saying Willie was a "better" singer than Kris and he's in excellent form here. I've been listening mostly to Willie's new material recently so it was a nice reminder of how beautiful and clear his voice was during this era. Kristofferson is on hand to lend some backing vocals on a few songs and Willie's band was just working on another level. If anything, I think the band gets a little too much room to stretch their legs--"Sunday Morning Coming Down" is extended to seven minutes and a few other numbers fall just short of six. I'd rather they'd have snuck an extra Kristofferson tune in rather than another harpoon solo by Mickey Raphael. But that's just me being greedy; it's a terrific album of great songs done right.
Kristofferson was a helluva songwriter, especially during the early years of his career. The songs are a mix of the hits and some of Kris' lesser known numbers. Willie is always respectful of other songwriters and he seems almost reverent at times on this album. By the late 70s, Willie was a big enough star to make records on his own terms so the arrangements and production are solid but understated so the focus always remains on the song (even when the band takes another chorus).
Lou doesn't provide a lot of content to work with. He's sweet and affectionate with the four people and zero dogs that he likes and completely ignores everyone else. It's both funny and sad to watch his posture as he walks through a park with other dogs. He keeps his eyes forward planning his escape, his ears are always back. Usually his tail his straight but it drops straight down if another animal approaches.
open.spotify.com
ETA: I forgot to critique the album cover like I used to do. This one's another portrait of Willie trying to look his sexiest and most mysterious even though he'll never be able to match Kristofferson in either. His hair is pulled back and his beard is getting mighty gray. The title is on a banner that's been unfurled alongside Willie's right temple. The "L's" in Willie Nelson and the "F's" in Kristofferson are oddly italicized. There's a rainbow at the bottom edge of the banner which makes it look more woke 45 years later which I'm sure would please Willie and Kris.
Willie was at the top of his game when he recorded this album of songs written by Kris Kristofferson (RIP). I hope I'm not speaking ill of the recently deceased by saying Willie was a "better" singer than Kris and he's in excellent form here. I've been listening mostly to Willie's new material recently so it was a nice reminder of how beautiful and clear his voice was during this era. Kristofferson is on hand to lend some backing vocals on a few songs and Willie's band was just working on another level. If anything, I think the band gets a little too much room to stretch their legs--"Sunday Morning Coming Down" is extended to seven minutes and a few other numbers fall just short of six. I'd rather they'd have snuck an extra Kristofferson tune in rather than another harpoon solo by Mickey Raphael. But that's just me being greedy; it's a terrific album of great songs done right.
Kristofferson was a helluva songwriter, especially during the early years of his career. The songs are a mix of the hits and some of Kris' lesser known numbers. Willie is always respectful of other songwriters and he seems almost reverent at times on this album. By the late 70s, Willie was a big enough star to make records on his own terms so the arrangements and production are solid but understated so the focus always remains on the song (even when the band takes another chorus).
Lou doesn't provide a lot of content to work with. He's sweet and affectionate with the four people and zero dogs that he likes and completely ignores everyone else. It's both funny and sad to watch his posture as he walks through a park with other dogs. He keeps his eyes forward planning his escape, his ears are always back. Usually his tail his straight but it drops straight down if another animal approaches.
Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson - Album by Willie Nelson | Spotify
Willie Nelson · album · 1979 · 9 songs
open.spotify.com
ETA: I forgot to critique the album cover like I used to do. This one's another portrait of Willie trying to look his sexiest and most mysterious even though he'll never be able to match Kristofferson in either. His hair is pulled back and his beard is getting mighty gray. The title is on a banner that's been unfurled alongside Willie's right temple. The "L's" in Willie Nelson and the "F's" in Kristofferson are oddly italicized. There's a rainbow at the bottom edge of the banner which makes it look more woke 45 years later which I'm sure would please Willie and Kris.
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Eephus
Footballguy
The Winning Hand (1985)
Willie didn't do as many musical collaborations with Kris as he did with Merle or Waylon. They were both in the Highwaymen of course and they made a few movies together but I could only find four duets with Nelson and Kristofferson. Two of them were the A/B sides of a 1984 single ("How Do You Feel About Foolin' Around" and "Eye of the Storm") while the others come from the 1982 compilation The Winning Hand with Willie, Kris, Brenda Lee and Dolly Parton. The double album was the brainchild of Monument Records boss Fred Foster who signed all four to his label at one time or another. Monument's distribution deal with Willie's label CBS was a good excuse to bring the four together to record some new material to fill out the old songs he had in Monument's vault. The album went to #4 on the Country charts but it didn't help Foster much because Monument went bankrupt in 1984.
I was going to listen to the album until I learned that it was turned into a TV special three years after the record in 1985. All four artists took part with Johnny Cash serving as the master of ceremonies. I found a partial print with nine of the sixteen songs performed. The production makes it seem like a relic from a decade earlier than 1985. The four artists take turns singing solo and duets on-stage with a pit orchestra. There are some minimal sets and props that don't add anything except for the spectacle of Kris and Dolly playing ping pong while singing "Ping Pong". The arrangements are soupy and overbearing most of the time which adds to the cheese factor. But the video is still a fun little piece of time. Willie and Kris sing two duets one from each songwriter. Willie's song "To Make a Long Story Short (She's Gone)" is at the 23 minute mark of the linked video. It's a nice duet with an easy camaraderie, a couple of sweet Trigger solos, some ragged harmonizing and Kris trying to break Willie's concentration with a joke about Jeff Bridges. Kris' song "Casey's Last Ride" isn't on the main video but it's on YouTube. I'm not crazy about the orchestral accompaniment and the song doesn't really work as a duet but where else are you going to find Willie and Kris singing together in the fog while standing next to a fake light pole?
Four stars, even Lou liked it.
Willie didn't do as many musical collaborations with Kris as he did with Merle or Waylon. They were both in the Highwaymen of course and they made a few movies together but I could only find four duets with Nelson and Kristofferson. Two of them were the A/B sides of a 1984 single ("How Do You Feel About Foolin' Around" and "Eye of the Storm") while the others come from the 1982 compilation The Winning Hand with Willie, Kris, Brenda Lee and Dolly Parton. The double album was the brainchild of Monument Records boss Fred Foster who signed all four to his label at one time or another. Monument's distribution deal with Willie's label CBS was a good excuse to bring the four together to record some new material to fill out the old songs he had in Monument's vault. The album went to #4 on the Country charts but it didn't help Foster much because Monument went bankrupt in 1984.
I was going to listen to the album until I learned that it was turned into a TV special three years after the record in 1985. All four artists took part with Johnny Cash serving as the master of ceremonies. I found a partial print with nine of the sixteen songs performed. The production makes it seem like a relic from a decade earlier than 1985. The four artists take turns singing solo and duets on-stage with a pit orchestra. There are some minimal sets and props that don't add anything except for the spectacle of Kris and Dolly playing ping pong while singing "Ping Pong". The arrangements are soupy and overbearing most of the time which adds to the cheese factor. But the video is still a fun little piece of time. Willie and Kris sing two duets one from each songwriter. Willie's song "To Make a Long Story Short (She's Gone)" is at the 23 minute mark of the linked video. It's a nice duet with an easy camaraderie, a couple of sweet Trigger solos, some ragged harmonizing and Kris trying to break Willie's concentration with a joke about Jeff Bridges. Kris' song "Casey's Last Ride" isn't on the main video but it's on YouTube. I'm not crazy about the orchestral accompaniment and the song doesn't really work as a duet but where else are you going to find Willie and Kris singing together in the fog while standing next to a fake light pole?
Four stars, even Lou liked it.
The Winning Hand - Johnny Cash : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
https://mytvlog.blogspot.com/2010/03/winning-hand-1985-tv.html
archive.org
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Eephus
Footballguy
Willie and Asleep at the Wheel are performing tonight to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Austin City Limits TV show.
It's being livestreamed on YouTube beginning at 7PM CST.
It's being livestreamed on YouTube beginning at 7PM CST.
Eephus
Footballguy
It sounds like Asleep at the Wheel will open and play for about an hour followed by an intermission.
Willie & Family will hit the stage at 8:30PM CST
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Kind of a hard thing to watch. I’m happy for Willie though.
Eephus
Footballguy
He's playing more guitar than I expected
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
He seems to be having fun. Quite a few Trigger solos.
Eephus
Footballguy
Well that was nice. I don't know if it'll stay available on YouTube but it's worth a watch. I liked it a lot more than his 90th birthday party at the Hollywood Bowl because there weren't all the guest stars--just Willie and his band with Asleep at the Wheel coming out for a couple of songs at the end. He delivered a tight 75 minutes without a lot of banter. It was a good mix of mostly old songs with a couple of medleys. Willie has written so many classics that I don't think he can have a bad setlist.
Willie did a lot of talk singing but mentioned earlier, he did play a lot of guitar. The director kept a static camera pointed at Trigger and cut to it often when Willie played. His hands are quite wizened and sometimes his mind thought up notes his fingers couldn't play. I still found his playing soulful, especially on the bluesy numbers. Lukas and Waylon Payne occasionally took a lead vocal for Willie to catch his breath but Willie stayed on stage joining in on the chorus and adding some guitar. He genuinely seemed to be enjoying himself, especially when he and Lukas were trading licks.
Lou missed the whole thing because he was in the other room.
Willie did a lot of talk singing but mentioned earlier, he did play a lot of guitar. The director kept a static camera pointed at Trigger and cut to it often when Willie played. His hands are quite wizened and sometimes his mind thought up notes his fingers couldn't play. I still found his playing soulful, especially on the bluesy numbers. Lukas and Waylon Payne occasionally took a lead vocal for Willie to catch his breath but Willie stayed on stage joining in on the chorus and adding some guitar. He genuinely seemed to be enjoying himself, especially when he and Lukas were trading licks.
Lou missed the whole thing because he was in the other room.
Eephus
Footballguy
Last Leaf on the Tree (2024)
Album #76 from Willie dropped on Friday. It's a departure from his recent string of albums because it's produced by Willie's son Micah rather than Buddy Cannon who's been Willie's musical consigliere for over a decade. Micah records folktronica under the name of The Particle Kid and some of that comes through on this record. Micah plays fifteen different instruments the album according to the credits. The sound veers into trip hop territory with skittering percussion, dub bass and echo effects but most of the songs aren't that weird. The production on a couple of the songs reminded me of Teatro, the album Willie made with Daniel Lanois in 1998. Things seem to get more normal in the album's second half but that may just have been me adjusting to it.
The track list is equally eclectic with songs by Tom Waits, Warren Zevon, Nina Simon, Beck and Keith Richards. Willie's two and a half* original compositions are tacked on the end of the record. Willie's vocal range is limited these days so the material was chosen with this in mind. Micah helps out on the high harmonies when required and their voices blend nicely together. Trigger pops out of the mix on occasion to ground things. A cover of Neil Young's "Broken Arrow" (@Pip's Invitation) stretches out to 6 1/2 minutes with Micah sounding like Neil and Willie sounding like Willie. I don't know quite what to think of Willie's version of Flaming Lips' "Do You Realize?" but I'm happy to live in a world where it exists. That's pretty much my opinion of the album as a whole. Not all the experiments work but enough hit to make it worthwhile. Willie sounds like he's having a good time doing things his son's way and it's probably the hippest record ever made by a 91 year old.
* - The album ends with a hidden track that emerges from a fog of ambient noise after the listed song finishes. It's an acoustic snippet titled "Looking for Trouble". If God forbid Willie never does another album, the last line of his vast catalog will include a F bomb.
Lou isn't going to dig the clocks changing one bit. He seems to have regressed and is now less comfortable going out after dark than he was a couple of years ago. I think it's probably the lights that bother him rather than the dark itself but whatever it is, he doesn't want to leave the house and once he does, he gets so agitated and distracted from doing his business. He's lucky I'm retired because I can take him out before sunset instead of Boz having to wait until I got home from work to go walkies.
open.spotify.com
ETA: Forgot to mention the album cover. It's very similar to the cover of his bluegrass album from last year. It has to be by the same artist. This one is in brown tones rather than blue and Willie is surrounded by trees instead of marijuana plants. Willie isn't smiling like he was on bluegrass but I think it's a more accurate resemblance. Willie's name and the album title looks like they were written by Willie himself. If so, his penmanship at age 91 is better than mine.
Album #76 from Willie dropped on Friday. It's a departure from his recent string of albums because it's produced by Willie's son Micah rather than Buddy Cannon who's been Willie's musical consigliere for over a decade. Micah records folktronica under the name of The Particle Kid and some of that comes through on this record. Micah plays fifteen different instruments the album according to the credits. The sound veers into trip hop territory with skittering percussion, dub bass and echo effects but most of the songs aren't that weird. The production on a couple of the songs reminded me of Teatro, the album Willie made with Daniel Lanois in 1998. Things seem to get more normal in the album's second half but that may just have been me adjusting to it.
The track list is equally eclectic with songs by Tom Waits, Warren Zevon, Nina Simon, Beck and Keith Richards. Willie's two and a half* original compositions are tacked on the end of the record. Willie's vocal range is limited these days so the material was chosen with this in mind. Micah helps out on the high harmonies when required and their voices blend nicely together. Trigger pops out of the mix on occasion to ground things. A cover of Neil Young's "Broken Arrow" (@Pip's Invitation) stretches out to 6 1/2 minutes with Micah sounding like Neil and Willie sounding like Willie. I don't know quite what to think of Willie's version of Flaming Lips' "Do You Realize?" but I'm happy to live in a world where it exists. That's pretty much my opinion of the album as a whole. Not all the experiments work but enough hit to make it worthwhile. Willie sounds like he's having a good time doing things his son's way and it's probably the hippest record ever made by a 91 year old.
* - The album ends with a hidden track that emerges from a fog of ambient noise after the listed song finishes. It's an acoustic snippet titled "Looking for Trouble". If God forbid Willie never does another album, the last line of his vast catalog will include a F bomb.
Lou isn't going to dig the clocks changing one bit. He seems to have regressed and is now less comfortable going out after dark than he was a couple of years ago. I think it's probably the lights that bother him rather than the dark itself but whatever it is, he doesn't want to leave the house and once he does, he gets so agitated and distracted from doing his business. He's lucky I'm retired because I can take him out before sunset instead of Boz having to wait until I got home from work to go walkies.
Last Leaf On The Tree - Album by Willie Nelson | Spotify
Willie Nelson · album · 2024 · 13 songs
open.spotify.com
ETA: Forgot to mention the album cover. It's very similar to the cover of his bluegrass album from last year. It has to be by the same artist. This one is in brown tones rather than blue and Willie is surrounded by trees instead of marijuana plants. Willie isn't smiling like he was on bluegrass but I think it's a more accurate resemblance. Willie's name and the album title looks like they were written by Willie himself. If so, his penmanship at age 91 is better than mine.
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simey
Footballguy
Good eye regarding the same artist designed both album covers (art). Micah designed them both.
Eephus
Footballguy
Oh What a Beautiful World (2025)
Willie's 77th album came out the other day; it's his sixth new release since Lou and I started the thread in 2022. It's a return to normalcy after the experimentation of his last album. Willie's back together with Buddy Cannon who friends of the thread will recognize as Willie's main musical collaborator in recent times.
This time out it's an album of songs written by Rodney Crowell. I don't know Crowell's catalog that well but a couple of the tunes previously were hits by Bob Seger and Keith Urban. I don't know if Crowell wrote any new songs specifically for this project. Willie Nelson doing an album of a your songs is one of the highest compliments imaginable for a songwriter. Willie and Buddy chose some good ones with a selection that lean towards love songs with nostalgic and elegiac moods. The arrangements by Cannon and a collection of Nashville studio cats work well with Willie's voice which sounds pretty good especially for a 91 year old. Trigger pops up in the mix every now and again which is always a treat.
I think its one of the better albums he's released in the last few years. The songs are excellent and are sequenced nicely. Highlights for me include the lazy waltz "I Wouldn't Be Me Without You", "The Fly Boy & the Kid" with a verse that reminds me of Dylan's "Forever Young" and a shuffling blues tune called "She's Back in Town". It's such a gift that Willie is still putting out great records so long into his career.
https://open.spotify.com/album/7C2rtzfeP135vyNyzsmhfV?si=GVrXG8BmS-WCNn9HVoc81w
The album cover is a monochrome image of the the rear ends of a cowboy and his horse overlooking a valley at sunset. The artist's name and title are superimposed over the clouds at the top of the picture. It's a nice picture albeit a bit generic but it fits well with the easy charm of the music within.
Lou just got back from a long walk in the park with Willie and me. Lou is more at ease when he's out in nature but he always remains on alert in case another dog is around. Whenever that happens, Lou comes right back to my side or more specifically, behind my legs. His anxieties are a big part of who is so I guess they're also a part of why we love him so much. He remains the sweetest dog without a mischievous bone in his body. Because of this he rarely does the dumb stuff associated with dogs (or at least the other dogs we've had before him). When Louis does dumb stuff, it's usually rooted in anxiety and fear rather than canine dumbness.
Willie's 77th album came out the other day; it's his sixth new release since Lou and I started the thread in 2022. It's a return to normalcy after the experimentation of his last album. Willie's back together with Buddy Cannon who friends of the thread will recognize as Willie's main musical collaborator in recent times.
This time out it's an album of songs written by Rodney Crowell. I don't know Crowell's catalog that well but a couple of the tunes previously were hits by Bob Seger and Keith Urban. I don't know if Crowell wrote any new songs specifically for this project. Willie Nelson doing an album of a your songs is one of the highest compliments imaginable for a songwriter. Willie and Buddy chose some good ones with a selection that lean towards love songs with nostalgic and elegiac moods. The arrangements by Cannon and a collection of Nashville studio cats work well with Willie's voice which sounds pretty good especially for a 91 year old. Trigger pops up in the mix every now and again which is always a treat.
I think its one of the better albums he's released in the last few years. The songs are excellent and are sequenced nicely. Highlights for me include the lazy waltz "I Wouldn't Be Me Without You", "The Fly Boy & the Kid" with a verse that reminds me of Dylan's "Forever Young" and a shuffling blues tune called "She's Back in Town". It's such a gift that Willie is still putting out great records so long into his career.
https://open.spotify.com/album/7C2rtzfeP135vyNyzsmhfV?si=GVrXG8BmS-WCNn9HVoc81w
The album cover is a monochrome image of the the rear ends of a cowboy and his horse overlooking a valley at sunset. The artist's name and title are superimposed over the clouds at the top of the picture. It's a nice picture albeit a bit generic but it fits well with the easy charm of the music within.
Lou just got back from a long walk in the park with Willie and me. Lou is more at ease when he's out in nature but he always remains on alert in case another dog is around. Whenever that happens, Lou comes right back to my side or more specifically, behind my legs. His anxieties are a big part of who is so I guess they're also a part of why we love him so much. He remains the sweetest dog without a mischievous bone in his body. Because of this he rarely does the dumb stuff associated with dogs (or at least the other dogs we've had before him). When Louis does dumb stuff, it's usually rooted in anxiety and fear rather than canine dumbness.
nirad3
Footballguy
Big fan of Willie and his music, although I must say that to this day I remain pretty disappointed that he never mailed me an autographed copy of his photo. At one point when I was dating my now-wife, I sent his management company a nice 8"x10" glossy of him with a self-addressed-stamped-envelope, as I had contacted his management company and they said he happily autographs them for fans. I was going to frame it and give it to the then-girlfriend as she's a big fan too. Oh well, maybe I'll run into him in Texas some day. Happy birthday, fella. Smoke one for me.
Eephus
Footballguy
Willie is on the road again this summer, touring the sheds with Bob Dylan and an impressive collection of opening acts. They're playing around eight nights per month from May to September which is pretty impressive for couple of guys who are 92 and 83.
blackbirdpresents.com
Outlaw Music Festival 2025 10th Anniversary Tour
Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Sheryl Crow, Turnpike Troubadours, & more
blackbirdpresents.com
Eephus
Footballguy
Workin' Man: Willie Sings Merle is Willie's 78th studio album. As the title suggests, it's another tribute to songwriter and friend Merle Haggard. Unlike most of Willie's recent albums, producer Buddy Cannon isn't involved but the sound and relaxed vibe are similar. The tracks must have been laid down several years ago because Sister Bobbie (d. 2022) and drummer Paul English (d. 2020) appear on the album but are no longer with us. This gives the record a bit of an elegiac feel but you lose friends along the way when you're 92 years old.
The song list sticks mostly to Haggard's better known number which isn't a bad thing. Merle was a great songwriter and his songs work within Willie's vocal range limitations. It's a very loose feeling album; some of the up tempo numbers sound like the rhythm section is ahead of the band. But there's some fine harp work by Mickey and Willie and Trigger get to stretch out more than he's done lately.
The album cover is an old two-shot of Willie and Merle sitting on a couch, presumably backstage in a green room somewhere. Merle's wearing a puffer vest and looking straight at the camera. Willie is sitting to his left, clad all in black and gazing lovingly at his old friend. The black and white portrait is surrounded by a sand colored frame with the title text hovering above them.
Lou is getting up there in years too. I think he's nine but Mrs. Eephus and ditkaburgers give him the benefit of the doubt and say he's eight. He had some problems with his anal glands a while back so we're draining those periodically. He has his five year followup with a cardiologist to check on his heart murmur. He remains the sweetest little guy; so cuddly and gentle and silent. When he's comfortable (which is mostly within the house), he's very comfortable and relaxed. Unfortunately he's still not sociable with other dogs and people at all but that's just who he is.
open.spotify.com
The song list sticks mostly to Haggard's better known number which isn't a bad thing. Merle was a great songwriter and his songs work within Willie's vocal range limitations. It's a very loose feeling album; some of the up tempo numbers sound like the rhythm section is ahead of the band. But there's some fine harp work by Mickey and Willie and Trigger get to stretch out more than he's done lately.
The album cover is an old two-shot of Willie and Merle sitting on a couch, presumably backstage in a green room somewhere. Merle's wearing a puffer vest and looking straight at the camera. Willie is sitting to his left, clad all in black and gazing lovingly at his old friend. The black and white portrait is surrounded by a sand colored frame with the title text hovering above them.
Lou is getting up there in years too. I think he's nine but Mrs. Eephus and ditkaburgers give him the benefit of the doubt and say he's eight. He had some problems with his anal glands a while back so we're draining those periodically. He has his five year followup with a cardiologist to check on his heart murmur. He remains the sweetest little guy; so cuddly and gentle and silent. When he's comfortable (which is mostly within the house), he's very comfortable and relaxed. Unfortunately he's still not sociable with other dogs and people at all but that's just who he is.
Workin' Man: Willie Sings Merle - Album by Willie Nelson | Spotify
Willie Nelson · album · 2025 · 11 songs
open.spotify.com
Eephus
Footballguy
I didn't write it up but there was a "new" Waylon Jennings album released last month consisting of archival sessions from 1973-84 with some additional post-production work by his son Shooter.
Songbird - Album by Waylon Jennings | Spotify
Waylon Jennings · album · 2025 · 10 songs
open.spotify.com
TripItUp
Footballguy
I didn't write it up but there was a "new" Waylon Jennings album released last month consisting of archival sessions from 1973-84 with some additional post-production work by his son Shooter.
Songbird - Album by Waylon Jennings | Spotify
Waylon Jennings · album · 2025 · 10 songs
I love this so much. Top 5 American pop music artist for me.
