Both are 86 this year, have defined their genre, and are still going strong. Are you appreciating them enough?
Willie Nelson’s latest album has him in wonderfully relaxed form,
teamed with Barry Bales/b, Jim Brown/key, Fred Eltringham/dr and other guests. His voice is as leathery as Johnny Bench’s catchers mitt, handling everything thrown at him with ease.
Teamed with Mickey Raphael’s harmonica, he’s old time folksy on “Ride Me Back Home” and delivers a countrified feel to Billy Joel’s “Just The Way You Are.” Laconic saloon material with Brown at gives a sepia toned “Stay Away From Lonely Places” and tender “Immigrant Eyes” while a twinkle is in Nelson’s eye on the fun “It’s Hard To Be Humble” and “Seven Year Itch.” Still able to do the two step on the shuffling “ Come On Time,” Nelson is (as pictured on the back) riding into the sunset well.
One of the last of the bluesers to play the “Chitlin’ Circuit,” Bobby Rush is probably the most authentic blues singer and harp player alive. Here, covers just about every shade of blue, from the fun and raucous R&B of “Bowlegged Woman” and the Barry White-inspired “Shake Til’ You Get Enough” to a trip to the dusty back porch on the rural “Recipe For Love.” His harmonica wails like a Tennessee tornado on the sizzling “Bobby Rush Shuffle” and howls on the boogie-ing “Got Out Of Here.” His voice is a wonderful earth toned affair, giving a hint of his night act as he works the room on “Pooky Poo” and gets swamy on “You Got The Goods On You.” Mischievous with a twinkle in the eye, this son of a preacher is a treasure chest of stories, still looking good in all shades of blue.