Willie Nelson/Wynton Marsalis
Two Men With The Blues
A country harmonica solo followed impeccably by a jazzy sax solo! Huh? Miles Davis once said he enjoyed listening to Willie Nelson because he had a jazz sense to his music. Nelson has always had jazz nuances in his vocal style and his off-the-beat phrasing. He is also an underrated guitarist who uses chords more common to jazz than country. This meeting of two of the most important musicians in contemporary country and jazz - Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis - who reveal their common love of the blues. The choice of backing musicians is great, with Mickey Raphael on harmonica from Nelson’s band and the Marsalis crew. Walter Blanding on sax is terrific and is given room to play. Dan Nimmer is in excellent form on piano and he carries the album along. Nelson has recorded "Night Life" countless times already, but the growling Marsalis trumpet solo reinforces the anguish of the lyrics. Nimmer’s piano accompaniment with Raphael’s superbly understated harmonica solo in "Georgia On My Mind" is magnificent. "Basin Street Blues" and "Rainy Day Blues" gets the Marsalis crew into a familiar groove, with latter featuring Blanding and Raphael playing off each other and Nelson’s unique guitar. "My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It" is performed as a Dixieland swing number with free playing by everyone; Ali Jackson contributes an attention-grabbing drum solo with Marsalis adding a lyric. "That’s All" has everybody contributing their all which results in some sizzling playing. The version of Billie Holiday’s "Ain’t Nobody’s Business", is looser with Nelson and Marsalis both soloing along with Blanding on sax and bass player Carlos Henriquez having a crack. Nelson, from Texas, and Marsalis, from Louisiana - have no problems finding common ground. Both men love the blues, and love to play it; this meeting of master musicians is special and it all sounds like great fun. This is a fascinating blend of country jazz and blues. If anything, this album demonstrates the common roots of all three traditions.
Released July 2008
Blue Note Records
