Willie Nelson's new album of country standards, titled Country Music, will first be available on April 20 for four weeks at all Starbucks locations nationwide. Much like he did with his groundbreaking covers album, Stardust, Willie has recorded a number of his all-time favorite country songs. He teamed up with his long-time friend, T Bone Burnett, on the project.
"I've known T Bone for years, but I've never worked with him before," Willie said. "He sent me a list of 28 songs he'd thought about for this album, and I added 'Nobody's Fault but Mine.' We recorded 23 songs and picked 15 out of that to release."
Willie and T Bone turned to some of Music City's most respected musicians for the album, including Del McCoury's son, Ronnie, on mandolin, Grammy-winning vocalist, Jim Lauderdale, and guitarist Buddy Miller. Willie referred to the group as "the best people around."
Over the years, Willie has proven quite fond of covering all genres of music. In addition to Stardust and the upcoming Country Music, he's covered the blues (2000's Milk Cow Blues), reggae (2005's Countryman), jazz (2008's Two Men with the Blues with Wynton Marsalis) and Western swing (2009's Willie and The Wheel with Asleep at the Wheel).
Look for Willie and friends to perform much of Country Music on the PBS show, Soundstage, on February 25. Check your local listings for exact dates and times.
Country Music Track Listing:
- "Man with the Blues"
- "Seaman's Blues"
- "Dark As a Dungeon"
- "Gotta Walk Alone"
- "Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down"
- "My Baby's Gone"
- "Freight Train Boogie"
- "Satisfied Mind"
- "You Done Me Wrong"
- "Pistol Packin' Mama"
- "Ocean of Diamonds"
- "Drinking Champagne"
- "I Am a Pilgrim"
- "House of Gold"
- "Nobody's Fault but Mine"
Photo © Rounder
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