Willie Nelson pays tribute to one of his first bosses, Ray Price. In case that name isn’t familiar to you, Price was the gent who wrote songs that had either infectious shuffle grooves or wonderfully sentimental strings. Nelson played bass for him back in ’61, and wrote material for him like the classics “Night Life” and “It Will Always Be.” This album takes you back to an era and worldview of music that is sadly missing in these days of corporate compositions.
Nelson’s voice is finally sounding as old as he looks, and he sounds like he’s the opening act at the local Moose Lodge with the band “The Time Jumpers (which includes Vince Gill/g, Paul Franklin/psteel, Larry Franklin-Joe Spivey-Kenny Sears/fid) and various guests like John Hobbs/p, Larry Paxton/b and the Nashville String Machine.
The songs are essentially divided into irresistible two stepping bundles of joy, as violins and pedal steel guitars take to the floor as Nelson croons on “Heartaches By The Number,” “I’ll Be There” and “Crazy Arms.” With strings, there are wonderfully sentimental and maudlin moods as choruses join with Willie on”Make The World Go Away” and “Faded Love.”
The themes are deep, poignant and memorable; if grew up during these times, the lyrics to most of these songs are still embedded in your dna. If you didn’t , you missed out on an opportunity to have songs contribute to your temperament. “Night Life” and “I’m Still Not Over You” say more in three minute songs than 95% of what is passed for lyrics these days. This material was written by people with heartfelt blisters on their fingers, and performed by artists who actually drove a truck and had a job that put dirt under their fingers, needing something to refresh them when the day’s labor was done. Grab a Schlitz and enjoy.
Sony Music