Willie Nelson Album: “One For The Road”

Despite equal billing, this is really a Willie Nelson album with Leon as his special guest. The songs are mostly, if not exclusively, covers of old songs. Many are from the Great American Songbook, but there are others including Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley), Danny Boy (a traditional Irish folk song), I saw the light (Hank Williams) and Wild side of life (Hank Thompson).

In typical Willie Nelson style, many of these songs are done in a more laid-back style - this is particularly noticeable on Don't fence me in (the Cole Porter song that was a huge success for Bing Crosby and the Andrews sisters) and Heartbreak hotel. Whether you enjoy these versions will depend on your personal taste. I enjoy them as a contrast to the originals, but the originals are still the best.

Willie and Leon are more in keeping with the originals on ballads such as Always (the Irving Berlin classic) and Far away places (one of my favorite Margaret Whiting songs).

If, like me, you enjoy Willie's other interpretations of old standards, especially the albums Stardust, Somewhere over the rainbow, Without a song and What a wonderful world, then you will enjoy this set.

For starters I can't believe there are only four reviews for this gem -- this is far better than Over the Rainbow -- the production is polished and it sounds as if everyone is not only in the same studio but on the same page.

I'm not going to knock it down a star, but if I would, it would be due to the fact that this is not Willie and Leon, it's basically Willie. Darn, and Leon was in such fine form also -- their songs however are incredible.

I got this cd because I was following my natural curiosity and looking up Leon (I have always loved Hank Wilson vol 1 right after Carney) and was delighted to find Leon and Willie together.

This collection is KILLER. If you like Willie on Stardust; it's perfect. If you like Willie doing "traditional" country; it's perfect for that also. If you like Willie turning a song inside out and making you love it; you got it -- it's all here.

The man is AMAZING and Leon is pretty darn good too.

Get it -- if you're a Willie fan and you don't have it in your collection, well, shame, shame on you!

This is actually two albums in one. The first 10 songs have Willie and Leon rocking out to some classic old country songs like "Detour." The next 10 songs feature only Willie singing songs that were arranged by Leon. The 2nd 10 songs are very much like "Stardust" Vol. 2.

I have had the album Willie and Leon One for the Road for years and badly needed to update to a CD...it is just as great. One of my favorite Willie Nelson albums.

This is a great work by two of the best artists of our time. Leon Russell's first ever album was country and for my money that is his best venue. The first half of this CD are duets by Willie and Leon and are some of Willie's best of many duets he has done with other singers.