Willie Nelson Album: “Songbird”

"Amazing Grace" is probably my all-time favorite song. I have versions of it from everywhere including Africa and Ireland. Though I knew the song scanned to "House of the Rising Sun," I'd never heard anyone record it with that arrangment. Probably only Willie could get by with it--and yes he does. It's something of an ominous message: Repent--or else!

The title cut, "Songbird" is the old Eva Cassidy icon. Willie's version is good--but won't re-define the song.

"Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen) is always amazing. Glad to hear Willie doing it.

The whole collection all has a different take on the classics. I like the idea of Nelson teaming up with Ryan Adams--adds a bit of spice to classic performer.

One other reviewer commented on the lack of writing credits on this title - and I agree. It's astonishing that there isn't any - nor even a booklet supplied. The CD is housed in a card gatefold digipak and the inner flap lists production credits (Ryan Adams) and recording venues, a list of the band who played on it (The Cardinals) and some other minor details on additional participants - and that's it. No lyrics - no idea of who wrote what or why...

In order to straighten this out, the following should help:

1. Rainy Day Blues (Willie Nelson)

2. Songbird (Fleetwood Mac cover, originally on Rumours (1977) but also closely associated with Eva Cassidy)

3. Blue Hotel (written by Ryan Adams, a STUNNER, played live with the Cardinals on the recent BBC Sessions)

4. Back To Earth (Willie Nelson)

5. Stella Blue (a Grateful Dead cover)

6. Hallelujah (a Leonard Cohen cover, also closely associated with Jeff Buckley who covered it too)

7. $1000 Wedding (a Gram Parsons cover)

8. We Don't Run (Willie Nelson)

9. Yours Love (Willie Nelson)

10. Sad Songs & Waltzes (Willie Nelson)

11. Amazing Grace (the Traditional Gospel song covered a la "House Of The Rising Sun" style)

I must admit that I initially bought this solely for the "Blue Hotel" track by Ryan Adams, which was played live by Adams with The Cardinals on the recent TV aired BBC Sessions. The song brought a rousing cheer from the audience - most knowing they hadn't heard it before - and absolutely loving it. It's similar to "Everything I Do" by WHISKEYTOWN and has a melody and lyrics that hook you instantly. It's sloppy like FACES love songs are - a classic in the making.

Special praise should also go out to Adams for his 'live in the studio' production, which adds life and vitality to all the songs and makes them feel so 'of the moment'. And praise too to The Cardinals as the house band who play an absolute storm on all tracks and like Rick Ruben with Johnny Cash & Tom Petty's Heartbreakers - seem to be kindred spirits that produce magic when they get it right. But not all of it is right.

Nelson's cover of 'Songbird" is excellent, tender yet gruff in that way of his. But his cover of "Stella Blue" just feels too loose - shambolic almost. And his new Englishified Animals version of "Amazing Grace" has been called genius and travesty in equal measure. I'd say it's a little of both - and for me - a collector of the song - it's an acquired taste. I once did a CD-R of 18 different versions of "Amazing Grace". It takes a lot to butcher this impossibly beautiful song and I'm afraid our Willie gets too damn close...

In truth, I did find some of his own songs disappointing, where Nelson just seems to be coasting. The whole project seems hurried too - or incomplete somehow. To sum up, it's a good album - very good indeed in certain places, but it's just that you can't help but feel, that with a little more thought and better song choices - it could have been a truly great one. But then I play "Blue Hotel" again...and I'm reaching for the adjectives and looking forward to the next installment! Definitely worth your investigation.

I'm off to explore more of Nelson's recent work.

This Willie Nelson album was released on Halloween, 2006. It was produced by Ryan Adams and features Adams and his band, The Cardinals. The music has an alt-county feel to it, not surprisingly. I like the album quite a bit, and was surprised to see several negative reviews of it. I suppose that means it's not for everyone's taste, but the same thing can be said for any album, can't it? Perhaps the negativity comes from Willie Nelson fans who don't appreciate the Ryan Adams influence on the album, or Ryan Adams fans who don't appreciate Willie's singing. Well, regardless of what the naysayers think, I like it. I especially like "Songbird", "Hallelujah" and "We Don't Run"; not that my opinion counts for more than anybody else's opinion. You shouldn't listen to me anyway, you should make up your own mind.

If you're a Ryan Adams fan you probably know that each album takes at least 7 listens through before one decides that it isn't crap-ola. And then slowly, magically even, the music starts to speak to you like nothing before. And then, you're hooked! This album is no different.

For Willie fans, just be patient and it will happen for you. Obviously this type of patience is not something you're accustomed to with Willie. But Remember 7 times through. Let Willie be free. Let Ryan Rock. And Let it Ride.

Rock n Roll

I find it down right funny that some choose to write negative reviews and even go as far as to offer career advise to an "icon" like Willie and have only listened to the short clips of the songs listed on this site....hum, uh, well,..YOU HAVE GOT TO BE YANKIN' MY CHAIN! Come on? Ok, I hate to say it again, but we have to start regulating this stuff. DO NOT REVIEW ALBUMS UNLESS YOU HAVE ACTUALLY REVIEWED AN ALBUM!

Call me crazy, but I like this album. I especially like the title track. I have seen at least two editorial reviews that dis the track, but I really think its good. Ryan Adams and the Cardinals jive really well with Willie in my opinion. "Blue Hotel" and "Halleujah" are also stand out tracks but most are really good. I recommend this sucker myself, and I have listened to all the songs, all the way through several times.