It seems like a million years or some shit since the only credible non-white in commercial country music was Charley Pride. Thank fuck that Nashville's finally taken all those signs off the doors.
Nelson himself, though, steals the show, which probably isn't even possible since it's his show to begin with, what with his name being in the title and everything. Best to say that he puts the guests in their place.
"You're a guest, Keith Richards, I don't care how many drugs you got. I'm the motherfucking star of this show, is what" - Willie Nelson (possible fabrication)
Nelson is remarkable, accentuating the performances of his partners with that unmistakable gravel-voiced whine of his, the duet with a stoned-looking Lucinda Williams in particular being really rather beautiful. And it is of course testament to the man's genius, and dignity, that he can so easily grab together a line-up such as this, and all introduced by James Caan, no less, who looks a lot better here than he did when Kathy Bates was smashing his ankles fuckless a few years back.
The DVD has a brief featurette concerning the Behind-The-Scenes, but it's pretty superfluous to be honest, just random shots of folks in the background discussing something or other that we can't for love nor money decipher.
Still, the main show is worth the green, is what I would suggest. Also, how tough is that Merle Motherfucking Haggard? Tough as all hell, is what The Duke would guess.
Thanks folks.
The Duke resides at Mondo Irlando
Article comments
1 - Lono
Duke, as always you rule. I only recently discovered the genius of Willie a few years ago when he and Cash did a Storytellers show that is life affirming, to say the least. Growing up on Metallica, I am admittedly late to the party.
My one hope is to get to see Wilie play live before he goes. In recent pictures, he looks about 105... but we know the weed gets him through. thanks for a good piece on an American treasure who won't be properly appreciated, I fear, until he is gone.
Also, the fabrication was outstanding... though the piece could have used more swearing.
I remain a fervant fan of the Duke, as well as the great Willie Nelson. You anywhere near Denver? We need to have a beer sometime.
Lono
2 - Jim Carruthers
I once got to see a televised concert by Willie Nelson and some of his people, as a result of my landlord totally fucking up the electrics in my apartment, and me decamping to a hotel room with the cable and Willie Nelson channel. And sending my landlord the bill.
So, yes, Willie Nelson rules, if only because he used his super-powers to totally fuck my landlord.
3 - HW Saxton
Sir Duke,this sounds like a pretty good
watch despite Kid Rock.Too bad Jerry Lee
didn't give him the business end of 4/5
bottle of Jim Beam upside his silly ass
skull.That would be a better watch IMO.
You're as right as rain about Merle H.
I've seen literally hundreds of shows &
concerts (I'm a stagehand,it goes with
the turf)mainly as an active participant
running a spotlight,working sound or on
the lighting crew. I mention this fact
because,the sheer numbers of performers
and performances I've seen have made me
more than a little jaded about supposed
greatness.
Once in a while someone is so goddamned
good,so truly talented and such a decent
human being that it restores your faith
in people.Merle H. is one of those cats.
I worked one of his gigs in the mid 80's
at Ceasars Palace in Las Vegas.Before he
played he was hanging out backstage and
bullshitting with his band and all of us
guys on the local crew. I told him I had
(still do)some 8mm video footage of Bob
Wills playing at the Golden Nugget Hotel
in downtown LV. He said he love to see
it, especially since three of his band
mates were original members of the Texas
Playboy band. We invited him over to a
BBQ at my friends house the day after
the show and gave him a phone number so
if he wanted to stop over we'd give him
directions etc. We never really thought
it would happen(and it didn't sadly),but
he actually called himself!!! to say he
was sorry and maybe next time he could.
For him to do such a thing,blew me away.
What a cool & considerate guy,it fucking
blew me away!Anyways,he was one of the
best concerts I've ever seen in my life
and that includes The Ramones,The Who,
Van Halen(w/Dave),The Stones in '78,Bob
Marley & The Wailers etc.
He'll be remembered in the history books
long after the likes of Toby Keith,Garth
Brooks & all of those other shit stains
on the BVD's of C&W music history have
male modelled themselves back down to
their Dante-esque point of origin.
Anyway,excellent review as per the usual
there Duke De Muthafuckin' Mondo. Later.