Willie Nelson - "Pretty Paper" (1979) - Columbia
Howdy Partners,
Smoke some if you got some because tonight we've got some Willie Nelson on the Christmas turntable. Slick Willie really ended the 1970's in style with this festive LP featuring the likes of Booker T. Jones serving as producer and keyboard player; ex-Burrito Brother, Chris Ethridge on bass; longtime drummer, Paul English; and harmonica-player extraordinaire, Mickey Raphael, playing that "cuts through a fog"-style of harp. (Its pretty much a reunion of the musicians and lineup used on the incredible, Stardust.)
Willie was at his peak in the late 70's in both creativity and record sales. Interesting choice to close out this decade with an album of (mostly) traditional Christmas tunes, but all the selections here are performed in WIllie's inimitable style. There's only a handful of artists that can perform songs like "Rudolph" or "Frosty" with no tongue-in-cheekiness and with the utmost sincerity.
And speaking of sincerity...
Willie was at his peak in the late 70's in both creativity and record sales. Interesting choice to close out this decade with an album of (mostly) traditional Christmas tunes, but all the selections here are performed in WIllie's inimitable style. There's only a handful of artists that can perform songs like "Rudolph" or "Frosty" with no tongue-in-cheekiness and with the utmost sincerity.
And speaking of sincerity...
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Sixteen years prior to the release of this record, Willie wrote the song "Pretty Paper" which became a hit for fellow Texan, Roy Orbison, in 1963. Inspired by a homeless veteran on a busy sidewalk during the holidays, the song is vintage Nelson. Easy to hum along to, but heartbreaking nonetheless.
RATING: 4.5 pretty pencils to write I love you out of 5
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