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Reviewed
by Matt Bjorke
It's
hard to believe that Willie Nelson is releasing his second
CD in 2002. Much like his wonderful The Great Divide CD,
this new record features numerous special guests. Unlike
The Great Divide, Stars & Guitars is a live album and
features many classic songs that Willie has recorded many
times before.
Recorded
as a special for TV, the CD features guest performances
by the likes of Toby Keith, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack,
Norah Jones, Rob Thomas and his band Matchbox Twenty, Ryan
Adams, Bon Jovi, Emmylou Harris, Ray Price, Aaron Neville
and Patty Griffin.
While
there's not many "country" guests, compared to
guests from other genres, Willie Nelson has always transcended
genre boundaries.
The
opening track "Whiskey River" with Sheryl Crow
sounds as good as it did on the "Honeysuckle Rose"
soundtrack and another "Willie Nelson and Friends"
album.
"Good
Hearted Woman"
is Willie's tribute to his departed buddy Waylon. Toby Keith
actually does a great job sounding a bit like Waylon. I
never noticed it before, but Toby's vocal style is actually
quite similar to Waylon's.
As
his latest hit, "Mendocino County Line" was an
essential addition to this concert recording. I have never
seen neither Willie nor Lee Ann Womack live but they do
a masterful job here.
While
you'd expect Jon Bon Jovi singing a country song to sound
"forced," he does a fantastic job on the classic
"Always On My Mind." The vocals in the background
lead me to believe that Lee Ann Womack stayed on stage to
sing harmonies with Jon and Willie.
When
you hear Jazz sensation Norah Jones sing "Lonestar"
with Willie, you'll be wondering why she's not a country
vocalist. She has the natural twang to her voice and I think
Willie has found a new vocalist to record a few duets with
in the future.
"For
What It's Worth" is absolutely one of the best songs
from the late 1960's. Recorded with Sheryl Crow, Willie
gives the song a countrified elegance. When songwriter Steven
Stills hears this version, he'll be proud. While it was
written about the Vietnam war, it has an amazing resonance
to the events of the current world.
Matchbox
Twenty and Willie sing the Waylon and Willie classic "Mama's
Don't let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys." While
they are one of the most popular rock bands, Matchbox Twenty
does a great job of keeping this "country as cornbread"
song country.
Vince
Gill takes a solo flight with "Blue Eyes Cryin' In
The Rain." Willie doesn't contribute any vocals to
this track and to hear Vince sing a honest-to-god country
song is pure heaven. This track reminds me of Vince's wonderful
performances from his The Key CD from a few years back.
With
the eclectic mix of artists as only Willie Nelson can gather
for just another in a series of "Willie Nelson &
Friends" albums, Stars & Guitars is one record
that is sure to keep any music fan happy. It'll also introduce
many country fans to some artists they'd not normally even
listen to and vice-versa.
Song
List:
1. Whiskey River (with Sheryl Crow)
2. Good Hearted Woman (with Toby Keith)
3. Maria (Shut Up And Kiss Me ) (With Rob Thomas)
4. Mendocino County Line (with Lee Ann Womack)
5. Always On My Mind (With Bon Jovi)
6. Night Life (With Ray Price)
7. Dead Flowers (With Ryan Adams)
8. Lonestar (With Norah Jones)
9. Stardust (With Aaron Neville)
10. Don't Fade Away (with Brian McKnight)
11. Angel Flying To Close To The Ground (with Patty Griffin)
12. For What It's Worth (With Sheryl Crow)
13. Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys (With
Matchbox Twenty)
14. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain (Vince Gill)
15. 'Till I Gain Control Again (with Emmylou Harris)
16. The Harder They Come (with Ryan Adams)
17. On The Road Again
18. Move It On Over
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