Willie Nelson/Wynton Marsalis - Two Men With The Blues
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Free Music Notes for Two Men With The Blues
Free Music Review: One of Willie's and Wynton's best
Hit: 4 Stars
I came to this one with less than great expectations. Willie's previous recording of the Great American Songbook, which included "Stardust" and "Georgia on My Mind," was scarcely a threat to Merle Haggard's similar venture let alone Frank Sinatra. The voice was a "country-sounding" whine accompanied by an obvious, mechanical rhythm section of the sort you'll hear at Opryland. Not so on this occasion. He sings with life, humor, adventurous phrasing, and responsiveness to the contributions of his heady musical accompaniment. His strains may not be as sweet and sustained as in the past, but they're more assured than ever.
"Bright Lights Big City" sets the tone with a convincing roadhouse feel (a blues in the "geetar key" resisted by all jazz musicians--E, or 4 sharps!). Yet to the careful listener there are inventive twists to the arrangement, such as the single-note exchanges between trumpet and sax and the nearly imperceptible "bi-tonal" inserts (all serving to simulate a traffic jam). Even "Stardust" manages to keep the party in gear, taken at a fairly bright tempo that Willie sings so confidently you have to wonder if he's aware that Hoagy Carmichael originally conceived of the tune as an up-tempo number. And on "My Bucket's Got a Hole in It" Willie takes Hank Williams along with him to participate in what turns out to be a genuine Bourbon Street parade. And "That's All" is a rampaging gospel jubilee-shout featuring a non-plussed Nelson with an entire chorus played by Marsalis on an unbroken single note!
Wynton Marsalis has always impressed me as a spokesperson for the music as well as a virtuoso, "impressive" player, though rarely "connecting" with the serious jazz listener as could Pops, Diz, Clifford, Lee Morgan, Jack Sheldon or Miles (or a Fats Navarro, Kenny Dorham or Bill Hardman). But Wynton is right for this one. He explores the full range of his custom-made Monet trumpet, including its "vocalizing" capability, and, equally importantly, knows when "not" to play. The two performers strike a near-perfect balance in what is rightly billed as a joint session (though Willie appears to have been insufficiently briefed about his musical partner when he credits Wynton "Marsaylus" at the end of the program). I can honestly say that I've never appreciated either musician as much as on this occasion.
Free Music Review: Wish other musicians were as talented as Marsalis and Nelson
Hit: 4 Stars
This is a CD you have to work to love. Not that it isn't worth loving. It is. Marsalis plays the trumpet sparingly and with a kind of precision that can sound as much like soul as the blues. Nelson matches the trumpet with his voice--he isn't trying too hard, he's not laying off because of his age, he's entering the song when he has to, when he should, and offering his voice as one of the instruments. It's hard not to like both of these guys. The backing, though, is not something I enjoy. When Marsalis is comped by the saxophonist, I find it annoying. The piano is tinny. I sort of wish they had Marsalis, Nelso, a trumpet, a guitar, a set of drums, and that's it. Caldonia is my favorite on the whole album. It's a kind of set-your-feet-back and think of times when New Orleans wasn't forsaken tune. Make no mistake, there is mourning here. That's what drives the blues of this album. It is of a piece with NOLA by Connick and other albums from those who call that unfairly besmirched city home. Thanks for this album, guys. I hope it motivates people to do right by others.Free Music Review: very interesting mix
Hit: 4 Stars
This CD is really very interesting, the way it blends country and jazz. There are a couple of standards on here that Nelson has been known to perform often (Georgia on My Mind, Stadust), and a couple of Nelson's country compositions (Rainy Day Blues, Night Life), some Jimmy Reed, some Merle Travis, some Clarence Williams. In fact, you've heard all of these songs (if you're not a teenager still). However, you've NEVER heard these songs performed like this before, I guarantee it. The more I listen to this, the more it grows on me. Marsalis proves once again he is the best in the business to be able to pull this off.Free Music Review: Great contrast of musicians
Hit: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed this album as fan of Mr. Nelson and Mr. Marsalis. I love hearing standards and blues sung with a worldly, honest, textured voice like Mr. Nelson's . Mr. Marsalis and his group bring all of the blues language including that of the jazz tradition to these songs. It is a great contrast with Mr. Nelson's straight forward blues guitar and voice. Mickey Raphael, Mr. Nelson's long time harmonica player adds to this album by bringing his trademark licks to the session. Needless to say Willie Nelson sounds like himself and Wynton Marsalis like himself--AND together they sound great!Free Music Review: Willie Nelson, Wynton Marsalis and a great, great band.
Hit: 4 Stars
On this album, Willie Nelson sings with a jazz band led by Wynton Marsalis. The album was recorded live in January of 2007. The set list includes blues songs, country songs and pop standards. Willie's singing style works well with a jazz band, which is not surprising. Actually, Willie sounds like he always sounds, it's the music that is different. It's kind of like a Willie album with a jazz band, featuring more instrumental solos than usual. It's a very good album which Willie's fans should enjoy.