Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
(14 customer reviews) 11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
+1/2 -- Country jam band caught live in 1978,
September 21, 2005 hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Willie & Family Live (Audio CD)
This 1978 set captures Nelson and his seven-piece band live at Harrah's casino showroom in Lake Tahoe, California. Those expecting a concise recitation of Nelson's songs - a typical country music show - will be in for something of a shock. In addition to reworking his early hits away from the straightjacket of their original Nashville arrangements, Nelson clearly looks at all of his songs as launching points for a live show, rather than sacrosanct icons.
His touring band includes a potent double-double rhythm section, with two drummers and two bassists, his sister Bobbie on piano (whose saloon style playing on "If You've Got the Money" and "Under the Double Eagle" is especially fine), Mickey Raphael on harmonica and Jody Payne on guitar; all in addition to his own nylon-string picking. Nelson leads the band through his rich catalog of material, ranging from early tunes like "Crazy" and "Hello Walls" and a medley from his then-latest triumph "Red Headed Stranger."...Read more
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Simply One of The Best,
June 12, 2006 prairiepork - See all my reviews
This review is from: Willie & Family Live (Audio CD)
What I have found in many cases on Amazon is that people giving reviews are usually people who love the group/person and just fawn and gush about the recording, which is not at all helpful. I am going to rave about this because it is simply one of the best double CDs of all time. I like a huge array of music, if it is good, I like it, so I am not beholden to one style or artist. Willie Nelson is truly one of the gems of American music, as a songwriter and a performer, and this CD captures that very well. Incredible musicians back him up, and Willie can play and pick the guitar as good as anyone. He also has been willing throughout his career to do different styles, to explore new music types and to smash the frame people want him to be in. I don't like everything he has done, but of the thousands of CDs I have, this is easily in the Top 10, plus as a kicker, he signed it in 1999. Buy it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Classic Willie,
May 28, 2005 Docendo Discimus (Vita scholae) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Willie & Family Live (Audio CD)
Excellent, warm sound on this expanded 2003 CD reissue of Willie Nelson's April, 1978 concert recording from Harrah's at Lake Tahoe, New York.
It adds two bonus tracks, both of them from the same show, bringing the already lengthy track list up to a whopping 31 numbers, and Willie Nelson is in firm control all along.
Disc one opens with a gritty "Whiskey River", which features some great, ragged harmonica playing by Mickey Raphael.
Other highlights include Nelson's own self-penned classics "Crazy" and "I Can Get Off On You", the inevitable "Mammas [sic] Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys", and a wonderful "Red Headed Stranger"-medley which includes "The Time Of The Preacher", "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain", and one of Willie Nelson's wonderful acoustic guitar solos. And sister Bobbie Nelson plays some inspired piano here and there, too, like the brief but memorable solo on "If You've Got The Money I've Got The Time".
Disc two features two...Read more
