Band of Brothers

Willie Nelson - "Band of Brothers" (2014) - Sony Legacy

Hello Friends,

We've lost count but this is probably Willie Nelson's 7000th release.  The pot-fueled ginger octogenarian with girl braids and the voice that makes angels cry refuses to quit and we couldn't be happier!

Nine out of the fourteen songs on the record are new Nelson originals which is interesting because he really hasn't had an album with this many new originals since 1996!  Of course, every single one of them is great and features Willie's signature laid-back vocals, his thoughtful, perfect phrasing and his inimitable nylon-string guitar picking on his battered and beloved Trigger!  

The songs are all reflective and nostalgic without being sappy.  Like some of his best work, to counterbalance the sincerity there's the ever-present irreverence ("Bring it On"), sarcasm ("I Thought I Left You") and tongue-in-cheekiness ("Wives & Girlfriends").  Years of vaping primo kush will do that to you! 

A big part of the record's sound has to do with producer Buddy Cannon's sensitive ear.  He doesn't crowd the songs with glossy overdubbing or muck it up with any over production. Many of the tracks sound like they could have been recorded by Willie in the late 1970's. A song like "Send Me A Picture" would not sound out of place on Nelson's classic, Red Headed Stranger.

Cannon also gets co-writing credits on all 9 of Willie's compositions.

Nelson, at 81, has long since graduated from Outlaw status to the elder statesman of American Music. He's a legend, an icon, and everything he churns out in his twilight years is going to be a worthwhile listen for sure.    

RATING: 4 guitars in the corner that used to have a song out of 5