It Always Will Be
is the new studio album released in October by Willie
Nelson on Lost Highway Records containing a mix of new
Willie Nelson penned and cover songs. For me, Willie
can do no wrong whatever he does! His songwriting
doesn't come any better and though he isn't the best
of vocalists his lived in voice just stops you dead in
your tracks. The riffs he plays on his old and
battered gut strung guitar all form part of the
signature of the music of Willie Nelson.
Opening with the subtle, but moving title track
we are treated to13
wonderful numbers including three duets, the first
of which Willie is joined by his daughter Paula for
the mid-tempoed "Be That
As It May". Current hot favourite Norah
Jones lines-up with Willie for the slow wistfully
jazz driven "Dreams Come
True". My own particular favourite of
this trio of sensational duets sees the much-loved
country singer/songwriter Lucinda Williams blending
her heart tugging voice with the gravelly vocals of
Willie to offer a beautiful song about lost love with
"Overtime".
"Picture In A Frame"
is a delicately moving harmonica laced ballad with
Willie's long-time harmonica player Mickey Raphael
doing the honours as usual. The album continues with
the emotive "The Way You
See Me" with its polished powerhouse of
pedal steel and accordion undertow.
Originally on Willie's Live And Kickin' album,
he shows that he can swing it with the best and proves
it with the foot stomping bluesy "I
Didn't Come Here (And I Ain't Leavin') "with
Mickey Raphael hitting the high notes once again on
harmonica. The lost-her ballad "My
Broken Heart Belongs To You" tugs at the
heartstring once more in the inimitable way that Willie
knows how to achieve. Written by Toby Keith and Larri
White, "Tired"
was previously recorded on Keith's own album. Here
Willie gives the working-class
ballad his own interpretation with an aching of the
worn out feeling that life often throws at us.
Giant of country music, Willie Nelson has spent
a lifetime challenging and crossing the boundaries of
music. With It Always Will Be
he offers an acoustic based collection of spellbinding
down-to-earth songs, which ranks alongside some the
best that Willie has recorded over his long and
amazing career. Any fan of Willie Nelson will be hard
pressed to miss this one out of their collection!!!
|