The Bottom Line
Pros
- "Ill Still Be Thinking Of You"
- "Im A Worried Man" (Featuring Toots Hibbert)
- "One In A Row"
Cons
- Essentially a country tinged reggae album, Countryman isnt something thatll appeal to everyone.
Description
- Produced by Don Was.
- Features 11 instrumental tracks as well.
- Released by Lost Highway Records.
Guide Review - Willie Nelson - Countryman
Originally conceived of 10 years ago by his former label boss at the Jamaica based Island Records, Willie Nelsons first reggae album sat, as many unreleased albums due, shelved until a former Island staffer went to work with Willies current record label, Lost Highway Records. With Willies noted history with a certain plant and Jamaicas ties to the same plant, it only seems natural and obvious that Willie Nelson would, at some point in his career release an album packed with reggae songs.While the marriage of reggae and country music seems like an odd match, Willie generally pulls it off. He doesnt get every song right but this 10 year old recording is interesting nonetheless. Songs like the lead-off track Something To Think About, the delightful cover of Johnny Cashs Im A Worried Man with Reggae artist Toots Hibbert, the two Jimmy Cliff covers The Harder They Come and Sitting In Limbo and the best track on the whole set, Ill Still Be Thinking Of You. One song that doesnt work on any level is Darkness On The Face Of The Earth. The lyrics dont match the joyous sound of the Reggae arrangement.
Still, with only one truly bad track, Willie Nelsons long-time-comin reggae-country album is an interesting recording to say the least. As such, Countryman is a record for the Willie Nelson die hard fans and/or completists and Reggae fans.



