| Run That By Me One More Time - Willie Nelson & Ray Price | |
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Reviewed by Kathy Coleman
If you think putting together two extraordinary legends of honky-tonk music is going to add up to some sure-fire entertainment, you'd be right on the money when it comes to the masterful pairing of Willie Nelson and Ray Price. Willie's distinctive high tones coupled with Ray's whiskey-smooth chops blend together in true perfect harmony, Willie's Texas swing background and Ray going back to his honky-tonk swing golden days make for a match made in honky-tonk heaven. Of course, this isn't the first time they've joined forces; Ray and Willie have been making music together since the mid-50s, when newcomer Willie joined Ray's Cherokee Cowboys as a guitar player. Price of course had major hits with Willie's "Night Life" and "Crazy Arms." So it's always good when they get their unique talents together.
Run That By Me One More Time is packed with a country-lover's combination of slow waltzes, upbeat swings and mid-tempo shuffles, this disc cannot fail to please the true country music lover. Wille & Ray can do nothing but good when you put them together. They sing eleven songs together, true harmonious duets, their voices oddly and tremendously well-suited. Willie of course adds his signature acoustic lead guitar licks (Trigger sounds better and better every year), and they are backed by a fairly simple five-piece combo (David Zettner on bass and pedal steel, Bobby Floores on fiddle, Freddy Calderone on drums, Joe Gracey on rhythm guitar, and Gabe Rhodes on guitar). This is honky-tonk dance hall music, the sort that just plain ol' feels good from happy hour to closing time.
They two-step it off in style with a re-working of the classic Fred Rose-penned "Deep Water," a big hit once upon a time for Ray (and of course Bob Wills), swinging it just right to set the mood for the entire disc. There are several familiar songs here, all rendered in the same relaxed, pure style, from "Home in San Antone" to "I'm So Ashamed," as well as "I've Just Destroyed The World I'm Living In."
That both these men, Willie just turned 70 and Ray at 77, can still sing rings around most folks is only a minor part of the strengths of this disc. Ray Price's mellow baritone still caresses notes like a tender lover, and Willie's sound remains as distinctive, as clear, and as powerful as it ever was. Willie, of course, never changes. They sound fantastic together in harmony, notable on the title track, "Run That By Me One More Time," as well as Ray Price original weeper, "Soft Rain."
There are eleven songs on Run That By Me One More Time, every song a keeper. If you like real country music, look no further. There aren't too many who can deliver it like Ray Price and Willie Nelson. The real deal isn't as far away as some might have you think.
Song List:
Album cover, used with permission of Lost Highway
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