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Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis - Two Men With The Blues |
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Written by Tracy Farnsworth
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Aug 18, 2008 at 03:48 PM |
Artist: Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis
Album: Two Men With The Blues
Release: July 2008
Label: EMI
Rating: 9 out of 10
Website: www.willieandwynton.com
Willie Nelson teams up with some surprising artists from time to time. For the most part, I've never disliked his pairings, though some have certainly been better than others. His recent compilation album blends his distinctive voice with Wynton Marsalis, a jazz legend. It's a pairing that takes your breath away.
Little did I know that Willie Nelson has dabbled in jazz in his earlier years. I've always thought of him as a country musician who sometimes crosses the lines and delves into contemporary ballads like "To All The Girls I've Loved Before" or the unusual rock pairing "One Time Too Many" sung with Aerosmith. As a blues musician, I think Nelson has found his strength.
Two Men With The Blues features the mesmerizing trumpet work of Marsalis on a number of classic oldies such as "Stardust," "Basin Street Blues" or "Georgia On My Mind." Listeners will also experience country songs like Hank Williams' "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It" or Nelson's own oldie "That's All" tweaked to have a smooth blues/jazz sound. In fact, "That's All" totally caught me off guard with an impressive drum solo that it quickly became a favorite.
There are ten tracks in all. Some are old standards while others are songs Nelson has sung before on his own albums. All of the songs mesmerize and soothe. I have to admit that I settled back with a glass of wine and have never felt more refreshed after enjoying the album numerous times.
Vocals are smooth and typical Nelson. Sure he's aged, but the gravelliness to his voice works beautifully with the instruments. This album is a must have for any blues fan, and I expect that fans of Nelson and Marsalis will also be shocked at just how great it is! |
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