New Music: Willie Nelson [American Classic]
Man, Willie Nelson cleans up nice. He may even start to give the Rat Pack a run for their money. Countries greatest outlaw and friend to farmers and stoners across the globe, Willie seems more relevant and at times more creative than he has in any comparable moment from his fifty plus year career. His second collection of standards American Classic is nothing to sneeze at.
His first collection was 1978’s Stardust, and after its success that year one is left to think this is long overdue. With a simple cover of thee man in a nice suite, crooners mic and hair tied back it is a more clean cut Willie… if only for moment. The Tommy LiPuma produced effort delivers tracks that sound as timely as they do timeless. From the piano found on tracks such as “Fly Me To The Moon” to the inclusion of vocals from Diana Krall and Norah Jones, the tracks are firmly planted in the era from which they came while possessing appeal even the grand kids would appreciate.
For me, “Always On My Mind” serves a the most enjoyable and the most authentic of the bunch, it is the highest point on the album (and not by much). It is wholly authentic and revels in its stark simplicity.