Willie Milks the Blues

Willie Nelson is my hero. He fought the dreaded IRS to a virtual draw. He's been the main force behind Farm Aid. He's a good friend of Coach Royal. He smokes some funky green stuff and mellows out the world. And he sings and plays great music.

Willie is hard to classify. For most of his life he's been most closely identified with Country and Western music and he's made countless records in that genre with the likes of Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and many others.

But, at times, Willie has ventured far from the traditional Country. His album "Stardust" featured not only Hogey Carmichael's classic but a number of other jazz standards. Willie reminds me of Billie Holiday. Neither have the greatest voices but they emote the songs with such feeling that you feel the blues with them.

In "Milk Cow Blues" Willie sings some classic blues songs with some of the best blues folks around: Dr. John, Francine Reed, Johnny Lang and B.B. King.

The title cut is funny with feeling. Willie's lost his milk cow and his woman. Francine Reed adds her almost contralto voice here.

"Blacknight" features Willie with Dr. John on piano and vocal. Its another blues based on his baby bein' gone and how he hates to be alone.

"Rainy Day Blues" is from the roots of jazz and blues with the young master Johnny Lang matching Willie's vocal and guitar licks. No way you can sit still while listenin' to this.

Willie's own "Crazy" is next. Many have sung this but nobody better than the red-headed rascal from Central Texas. Susan Tedeschi adds a nice touch here. This is more country than blues but it's nice.

Who else could join Willie on "The Thrill Is Gone" but B.B. and Lucille. B.B.'s sound is so identifiable on Lucille but Willie shows his chops on guitar here. As is typical, greatness brings out the best in everybody.

A gentle song written in 1962 by Willie is next: "Wake Me When Its Over" chronicles the life of a worn out worker who just wants some rest. And peace.

The rocking "Kansas City" is next with Susan T. and the classic gets a classic treatment. Another song that stirs your whole body, you must be dead if you sit still while listening to it.

The remainder of the songs are all great. "Fools Paradise" wasn't written by Willie but it sounds autobiographical. Dr. John comps behind him with true blues on the ivory keys.

The old blues standard "Ain't Nobody's Business" is next with Lang and they would make Bessie Smith proud that this song still sounds so damn good.

Willie's "Night Life" is next with King and again this must be Willie's life set to blues lyrics and licks. B.B. feels right at home here and you can tell they love to play together.

Bob Will's old classic "Sittin' on Top of the World" the song is a challenge to a lover who has gone (theme oft used in blues and country, heh?).

"Lonely Street" grabs your heart with a simple guitar riff and sad lyrics. I'm making this album sound sad but the essence of blues is here. Hardships exist but can be overcome.

The last song is "Texas Flood" which has rock, blues, jazz, and gospel roots. Hard played guitar and Willie's wailing is joined by Wayne Shepherd and the flood waters flow through the land and into your mind. Organ notes build and build behind wailing guitar and then take over courtesy of Riley Osbourn.

This is one great CD from start to finish.