| Willie & Family Live - Willie Nelson | |
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Reviewed by Kathy Coleman
This year Willie Nelson turns 70, and in high style, the celebration has been kicked off with the
re-issue of some of his best and brightest albums. "Willie and Family Live" is a 2-CD set issued
originally in 1978, when arguably Willie was at the very top of his game (although Willie's career low
points, at least music-wise, have been remarkably few. His infamy due to the IRS, well, that's another
story).
Willie's always been a genuine, one-of-a-kind, 100% bone fide legend, at least in my lifetime. I
can't remember not hearing him, and heck, before I ever heard that distinctive voice and unmistakable
guitar playing, I certainly knew his music.
Willie and Family Live was recorded at Harrah's at Lake Tahoe, Nevada, in April, 1978. As live recordings go, it's pretty laid-back, but then, a good part of Willie's attraction is that it's all about the music, plain and simple. Willie's vocals are joined warmly by Emmylou Harris for most of disc two, and for a memorable trio, Johnny Paycheck joins them, as well (Paycheck then does mostly solo his masterpiece, "Take This Job and Shove It," with Willie joining in, which appears pretty much spontaneous and completely unrehearsed). Willie's amazing guitar is backed by Paul English and Rex Ludwick on drums, Bee Spears and Chris Ethridge on bass, Willie's sister Bobbie on piano (laying down some incredible honky-tonk stylings), Mickey Raphael on harmonica, and Jody Payne with Willie on guitar. It all adds up to a rousing good time that almost -- ALMOST -- makes you feel like you're right there, 25 years ago.
And 25 years does not make one jot of difference here. The music sounds as good, as fresh, as perfect as it did then. Willie's voice and guitar haven't changed one bit. From the opening bars of "Whiskey River" to the closing reprise, Willie sounds tremendous. He so obviously loves to perform it
shines through on every track. His expressive voice and guitar are shown here in all their grandeur,
unconfined by studios or timetables. Willie can take hold of Bob Wills or Bill Monroe with equal ease,
delivering old-time songs in his own style without cramping anyone else's. Taking on songs that range
from Wills' "Stay A Little Longer" to the old standard "Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms," as well as his
own impressive catalog, including "Crazy," "Hello Walls," "Night Life," and "Bloody Mary Morning," Willie
stays and plays for what must have been one bang-up show. It shows. There's also an expressive
medley of the songs from Red Headed Stranger, probably the penultimate Willie Nelson album. An
awesome version of the classic "Under the Double Eagle" closes disc one.
Disc two is full of rowdy good fun, but does include a short but wonderful gospel section, starting
off with the good-feeling up-tempo take on "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" which leads into "Amazing Grace," where Willie is joined by Emmylou Harris and Johnny Paycheck. The expressions of feeling are simply lovely. But there is reverence in this music that goes beyond the subject matter. Done this well, this much from the heart, it's magnificent.
Of course the re-issue includes never-before-released bonus tracks, all of them recorded at the same show so they retain the same joyous feel, including another version of the Rodney Crowell "Till I Gain Control Again" and classic "Georgia On My Mind."
Willie Nelson is a true household name. All true country fans know him. Rock fans know him, punk, rap, all walks of life. He's still out there touring, giving it everything he's got. This album pre-dates the quintessential Nelson touring song, "On The Road Again," but it's easy to tell how he came to write that particular song. This was the reason, shows like this one. It's a fitting birthday tribute. Happy Birthday, Willie. Here's to another 70.
Song List:
Disc One:
Disc Two:
Bonus Tracks:
Album cover, used with permission of Legacy Recordings
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