Willie Nelson fans here ?

Subject: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: olddude
Date: 28 May 13 - 06:25 PM

I love the guy, so many great songs. I like this one Ry Cooter wrote that I re-recorded cause I am in a Willy mood

across the borderline

any catter have any Willy they wanna share?

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: GUEST,tyre
Date: 28 May 13 - 07:23 PM

no

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: kendall
Date: 28 May 13 - 07:26 PM

Would you care to rephrase that? LOL

I like Willy Nelson. He's different and really good.

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 28 May 13 - 07:38 PM

I meant songs Captain LOL ....

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 28 May 13 - 08:05 PM

willy doing crazy

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: Elmore
Date: 28 May 13 - 08:46 PM

Willy's a first rate talent, no doubt about it. I admire every phase of his musicianship, but have heard that his shows are somewhat brief.

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: Bobert
Date: 28 May 13 - 09:09 PM

Willie is the shits!!! In the South that is high a compliment as can be offered... I mean, it eclipses awesome, great, the best ever and dynamite and out-of-sight...

So, Willie is the shits!!!

Love him... Love his music... His spirit... Everything about him...

B~

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: PHJim
Date: 28 May 13 - 10:58 PM

Olddude, I'm a fan too. I hope you don't mind a little spelling help...Willy should be Willie and Cooter should be Cooder.
I was surprised to learn that Ry Cooder wrote Across The Borderline. I always thought of him more as a performer than a writer. When my kids were born, 36 years ago, I was listening a lot to the Red Headed Stranger album and they liked me to leave it playing while they went to sleep. Later, as three year olds, the three of us would sing Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies... while we were riding in the truck.

Have you read Roll Me Up & Smoke Me When I Die?

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: J-boy
Date: 28 May 13 - 11:13 PM

I really enjoy his cover of Kermit the Frog's "Rainbow Connection".

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 May 13 - 02:13 AM

Willie Nelson came out with his Stardust album in 1978, and I loved it. I knew most of the songs on the album, and couldn't figure out where I learned them. I realized my dad had played those songs on the radio constantly when I was little. Willie recorded a lot of classic songs after that, and that's what I like best about him - his recordings of classic songs, no matter where they came from. He made it cool to listen to my dad's music.



Here are the tracks from Stardust

1. Stardust
2. Georgia On My Mind
3. Blue Skies
4. All Of Me
5. Unchained Melody
6. September Song
7. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
8. Moonlight In Vermont
9. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
10. Someone To Watch Over Me
11. Scarlet Ribbons
12. I Can See Clearly Now

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 29 May 13 - 04:18 AM

Dan,My favourite Willie Nelson song is"Will you remember mine".

My first introduction to him was"Red Headed Stranger".

I forgot:"September Song","Moonlight In Vermont".

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: Big Ballad Singer
Date: 29 May 13 - 08:25 AM

Willie is an acquaintance of mine, and I can personally attest to many ways in which his generosity has benefited the music community and millions of hard-working Americans. Willie is a modern-day folk hero, for sure. I'll be seeing him again in concert soon; I will make sure to post a story of the fun goings-on. At a sprightly 80, Willie isn't slowing down, that's for certain.

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: Suzy Sock Puppet
Date: 29 May 13 - 08:32 AM

Crazy, without a doubt.

Back in the day when I did some playing out, that became my signature song because it was my mama's favorite. My mother has a beautiful voice herself which she got from my Irish grandmother. I was the only one who tried performing, but I really didn't like it, especially in bars. I just like singing. However, I love to support other performers. That's my true talent, encouraging others who really need it. I can tell when others have that hunger to perform and I like to feed it, especially young people and children who need it the most.

I love the female country performers. They definitely have something the newer ones don't have. I LOVE Dolly Parton. That one is the salt of the earth. Loretta Lynn, Emmy Lou Harris...

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: Suzy Sock Puppet
Date: 29 May 13 - 09:00 AM

And Dolly is very smart. She never gave up any if the rights to her songs. That's why she now has the money to dole out for her "Imagination Library" (free books for children). And you want to talk about humble beginnings?

Oddly enough, it was my Ukrainian grandparents who fostered my love of old style country and western music. We used to watch "Hee-Haw" together and laugh our fool heads off. Nobody can pick a banjo like Roy Clark. And we loved those old Andy Griffith episodes where Andy would invite the mountain folk over for a kick-ass jam.

Oh sorry. This was about WillIE. Helluva songwriter :-)

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 29 May 13 - 09:10 AM

What Would Willie Do?

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 29 May 13 - 09:16 AM

Another video that seems appropriate.

Duet

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 29 May 13 - 11:26 AM

I do like Willies's vocal delivery...but I wish he wouldn't play the guitar because country music is full of fantastic guitarists and he isn't one of them!
The "Stardust" album is spoiled - for me - by too much echo/reverb on the vocals.

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: olddude
Date: 29 May 13 - 11:32 AM

Surprised no one mentioned "blue eyes crying in the rain"
blue eyes cryin

this is worth the 12 sec of ads before it comes on

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: olddude
Date: 29 May 13 - 11:38 AM

So where is Seamus I know he likes Willie ... how about a song bro?

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: Amos
Date: 29 May 13 - 12:28 PM

I have always revered Willie Nelson as a performer and songwriter. I wish he were a lot younger.

Subject: RE: Willy Nelson fans here ?
From: Suzy Sock Puppet
Date: 29 May 13 - 12:39 PM

What Would Willie Do, very nice. Duet, hilarious.Blue Eyes Cryin', that's what I'm talkin' bout.

Btw, you can't take that old guitar away from Willie. He's a singer/songwriter. You gotta let him have it. And here's another one:

Me and Bobby McGee

I have to tell this funny story. This was always one of my favorite songs- but I learned it through Janice Joplin. So for years, I thought Bobby "tore" the diesel down. Yup, I though he tore a diesel down and then turned around and drove all the way to New Orleans! Then I heard Kris Kristofferson's version and found that Bobby thumbed the diesel down. That's right. After all that time I found out that Bobby was not even half the hard working son of a bitch that I thought he was.

And if you want to know where the old Bobby McGee went, I see him over by the non-existent gasworks wall, passing the bottle over to Shane MacGowan. And let me tell you, those two are a sight.

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 29 May 13 - 01:00 PM

"Blue Eyes" is on the album "Red Headed Stranger."

Also"Can I Sleep in Your Arms Tonight Lady".

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 May 13 - 01:36 PM

Gee, Wikipedia says Willie Nelson is 80 years old. I thought he was still in his sixties.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: Chris C
Date: 29 May 13 - 02:10 PM

Umm, a few posts aside, I don't think the tone of this thread is worthy of Willie. Isn't Mr. Nelson widely hailed as one of the all-time great artists ever? Certainly within multiple sub-categories of country music, right? I mean, he's arguably the greatest living "classic country" guy ("Crazy", "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" etc), and the revered figurehead (or even a founder) of the "outlaw country" movement (material with Waylon, et al, songs about weed and whiskey, etc). And the Stardust album alone stands as the benchmark for non-jazz artists offering interpretations of standards. He enjoys a huge fanbase, I think because Willie embodies the old school but stays current, often working with young musicians. He's pretty much considered royalty in Texas. I would think the overall perception among those who pay attention is that his name belongs among the greatest of greats of popular music in the recording era, regardless of style: Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Miles Davis, B.B King etc. (Make your own list…you get my point.) And his greatest contributions to making the world a better place may not be strictly musical. Do I exaggerate?

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: GUEST,Roger Knowles
Date: 29 May 13 - 02:20 PM

Oh, Yes. I Had the privilege, together with Nick Strutt, of opening for him at the Liverpool Empire & the London Palladium back in '69 (?). Nice guy, too.

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 May 13 - 02:27 PM

A great song by a great songwriter and made for Willie.....Willie and Paul



Spaw

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 May 13 - 02:28 PM

Yeah, Chris, you exaggerate. Willie Nelson is an excellent musician, no doubt. But Mudcat is not a fan site - it's a site where a large number of participants are musicians. And musicians really like good musicianship like that of Willie Nelson - but they're not given to superlatives. They tend to be a bit more subdued in their assessment of a performer - but their appreciation is likely to be deeper and longer-lasting. ;-)

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: Chris C
Date: 29 May 13 - 02:44 PM

Fair enough Joe...a few responses seemed a little underwhelming to me. (No negative tone intended.) I'd agree there seems to be "subdued assessments". For the record, I'm a W.N. fan, but not a super-fan...I know I was exaggerating for fun, but I don't think wildly so. Love this site (& thanks for the edit)!
~C.C.

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: Suzy Sock Puppet
Date: 29 May 13 - 02:56 PM

Chris C, thanks for bringing up Johnny Cash.

Highwaymen 

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 29 May 13 - 03:00 PM

Willie Nelson is one of the all-time greats.

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: Suzy Sock Puppet
Date: 29 May 13 - 03:02 PM

Oops. I think I might have messed that blicky up. Here it is again:

Highwaymen 

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: Suzy Sock Puppet
Date: 29 May 13 - 03:18 PM

And, that'll do it for today won't it?

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 29 May 13 - 04:05 PM

Marvelous!

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: voyager
Date: 29 May 13 - 04:11 PM

Hysterical -


Willie Nelson Audtions for Lord of the Rings

voyager

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: Don Firth
Date: 29 May 13 - 04:29 PM

Nothing wrong with Willie's guitar playing. He doesn't bury a song in razzle-dazzle guitar riffs like a lot of C & W performers, he plays tastefully, and his accompaniment work supports the song as a good accompaniment should.

Too many guitar playing singers (including singers of traditional songs) get hung up on flashy guitar work to the point where the song itself sort of slides into the background.

Willie knows his way around a guitar, he accompanies tastefully, and he what he's doing.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: GUEST,Willie Gandalf
Date: 29 May 13 - 07:00 PM

"A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to- unless the bus breaks down"

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: PHJim
Date: 29 May 13 - 10:08 PM

I must agree with Don Firth about Willie's guitar playing. He sounds like no one else and no one else sounds like him. If he were to drop the guitar, where would we go to hear that wonderful sound? Who else can you name who has such a unique guitar sound?

I've noticed that Willie plays with time in his vocals a lot more these days than he did in the Red Headed Stranger days. Sometimes I think he's backed himself into a corner, but he always seems to get out. It scares me sometimes.

Although I love almost all of Willie's work, one of my least favourite performances in any genre is "Of All The Girls I've Loved Before". A terrible song sung by two guys who should never have tried to sing together.

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 29 May 13 - 11:10 PM

I saw Him in concert several years back and IMO He was value for money and a consumate performer. Having good seats was an added plus.
Ry Cooder - coincidently last night I watched the 1980's Western film "The Long Riders" featuring an original sound track by Cooder which that year won the LA Film Critics Association Award for the soundtrack. Great music!
The film was only just, but was notable with the cast comprising four sets of brothers, Carradine (3), Keach (2), Quaid (2) and Guest (2). In addition, Robert C. had a Daughter in the cast, as did James K. a Son.

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 30 May 13 - 01:19 PM

I hate to disagree about his guitar playing, but his sound isn't at all unique!
He sounds exactly like I would expect a very modestly talented, Django influenced, guitarist playing on a nylon strung guitar with a plectrum.

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: GUEST,big ballad singer
Date: 30 May 13 - 01:30 PM

Very modestly talented? Please. Paul Simon, Carlos Santana, David Hidalgo and other VERY talented guitar players have all testified to Willie's skill as a guitarist.

You and I should be so modestly talented. 60+ years in the business and working alongside other great guitar players... if Willie was so modestly talented, he should have faded away by now or hired someone else to play lead guitar for him.

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 30 May 13 - 03:19 PM

I only wish the hell I could play as well as Willie

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: Don Firth
Date: 30 May 13 - 04:00 PM

Tunesmith, there is a big difference between "can't" and "doesn't."

I worked one summer for a picture framer who made frames for local art galleries and for some very well-known local artists, such as Mark Tobey and Guy Anderson. He commented that a good frame should borrow its colors and its shape (the molding the frame is made of) from the painting itself, but be somewhat muted. Big point:   He said that the purpose of the frame was to set the paint off in space. But if the frame was such that people looking at the painted commented a lot on how nice the frame is, then it's a failure. It should support the painting, but never draw attention to itself.

That, I decided, was an excellent principle to apply to song accompaniments.

I have studied classic guitar for several years and can play some pretty high-powered stuff (Tàrrega, Sor, Bach, Vivaldi, etc.), but I go easy on accompanying songs, sometimes limiting an accompaniment to a simple "Burl Ives basic" and a few bass runs.

A little taste goes a long way when presenting a song.

And if I want to show off a little bit, I'll shoehorn Requerdos de la Alhambra or Caprichio Arabe into a program.

But that sort of playing would not be appropriate when accompanying songs like "The Fox" or "The Bonny Earl of Moray."

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 30 May 13 - 04:26 PM

Willie has been in the business longer than most, and those not familiar with his earlier days may not be aware of the many "styles" of music he's played that have influenced how he does it now.

There are musicians who play what's needed to own the song in their own style.

There are technicians who treat music as an athletic contest and think that playing "something difficult" merits some sort of prize - and some of them do deserve some respect for what they've done. I might recognize their songs, but seldom remember their names.

Willie is one of the rarest of musicians, who "owns" every song I've ever heard him play - and I've never heard him do a bad one.

(Minor element personal opinion here.)

John

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 30 May 13 - 04:32 PM

Here's a great little video of an informally dressed Shania Twain doing a duet with Willie on Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain. She does it very nicely, and Willie does the guitar fills and harmony. This was at Willie's 70th birthday celebration.

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 30 May 13 - 06:45 PM

Seven Spanish Angels with Ray Charles is hard to beat

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: Suzy Sock Puppet
Date: 30 May 13 - 09:05 PM

Seven Spanish Angels 

Sweet. Who doesn't love Willie? This thread could go on forever...

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: PHJim
Date: 31 May 13 - 01:21 AM

Tunesmith - Although Willie talks about being influenced by Django and does a solo performance of a Django tune most shows, I wouldn't say he sounds anything like Django. I WOULD call his sound unique. Put on a record in a blindfold test and anyone who's heard him will pick out Willy.

Don Firth - Your last post reminded me of a story I read about mudcat member Jean Ritchie, perhaps in Sing Out!. She was playing a show with Doc Watson and one of the songs she was going to sing was one she usually accompanied on guitar. She felt embarrassed to play the guitar with Doc on stage and asked him to accompany her. She was surprised to hear Doc playing the same accompaniment that she usually played. She asked him why he used her simple accompaniment and he said, "That's exactly what the song needed."

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 31 May 13 - 03:13 AM

Again, Willie sounds "different" because - very unusually for country music - he's plays a nylon string guitar with a plectrum.
But let's face it, compared to say someone like John Jorgenson, Willie is a very average guitarist.

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: Suzy Sock Puppet
Date: 31 May 13 - 08:41 AM

Tunesmith, apples and oranges, my friend. Btw, Yngwie Malmsteen? One of Iduna's apples. Food of the Gods.

Subject: RE: Willie Nelson fans here ?
From: Suzy Sock Puppet
Date: 31 May 13 - 09:10 AM

Seriously, Willie is not, nor did he ever claim to be, an accomplished guitarist. He is a singer-songwriter.

Look, I know but a few chords on the guitar. I'm a vocalist. But those few chords were just fine to lead a second grade sing along. This Land is Your Land etc. But if Willie walked into the room, I'd hand my guitar to him and ask him play it. But that's no reason not to take up the guitar again once he's out the door. The biggest thing that stops people from participating in music is the idea that they must be "GOOD" to participate. That notion is the antithesis of music in general and folk music in particular.

But back to Willie. The reason so many other musicians love and appreciate Willie Nelson is because he loves and appreciates them. That's what it's all about.