Willie Nelson ‘Country Music’

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By Michael Corcoran | Monday, April 19, 2010, 04:29 PM

In theory, this should be special — the classic Willie Nelson album we haven’t had since “Spirit” in 1996. In the producer’s chair you have T-Bone Burnett, who’s already resurrected mountain music (“O Brother Where Art Thou?”) and Robert Plant (“Raising Sand,” with Alison Krauss) this decade. The pitch here is “Stardust” meets the Grand Ol’ Opry circa 1962. How could it miss?
But “Country Music” sounds more like a playful, bluegrass-scented, jam session than a milestone. The musicians and Willie seem to be having a great time bashing it out, but this is a record without a spiritual core. Even Willie’s so-so albums (the Lost Highway years) generally have some sort of thread of humanity that binds, but “Country Music” sounds like it can’t wait to get to a box in the checkout line at Starbucks. You have to wonder if Burnett charged Rounder extra for this rush job.
There are some terrific moments, such as the coalminer’s dirge “Dark as a Dungeon” and the eerie, album-closing “Nobody’s Fault But Mine.” Plus Doc Watson’s “Freight Train Boogie” rocks as hard as any track without drums can. But mostly this just flutters around overdone covers such as Porter Waggoner’s “Satisfied Mind,” Bill Mack’s “Drinking Champagne” and songs that should have been left alone (“Pistol Packin’ Mama” is downright irritating).
There are going to be some Willie fans who love this record. But they are warned to not load it up on iTunes, where it will be followed by true Willie Nelson classics that show just how far “Country Music” strays from its intention. Hearing “Crazy” after this album will only make the new title sound generic.
Like so many of Burnett’s recent projects, “Country Music” started with T-Bone’s record collection; he sent Nelson 28 songs to consider, and together they whittled it down to 15. Then Burnett called in the A-team — Buddy Miller on guitar, Ronnie McCoury on mandolin, “Raising Sand” bassist Dennis Crouch and many other liner note perpetuals.
The problem is that Willie Nelson’s voice thinks it’s enough to belong to Willie Nelson. In concert, where Nelson (who turns 77 next week) talks his lyrics as much as he sings them these days, he’s earned such a pass. When he sings all over the beat onstage with his exaggerated nasal twang, that’s cool because, c’mon people, that’s Willie Freakin’ Nelson!
But on record, especially a high-profile one like this, “One Take” Willie’s vocal imperfections stick out.
This album took four days to record, but it sounds like it could’ve used another week.

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01 "Man With The Blues"
02 "Seaman's Blues"
03 "Dark As A Dungeon"
04 "Gotta Walk Alone"
05 "Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down"
06 "My Baby's Gone"
07 "Freight Train Boogie"
08 "Satisfied Mind"
09 "You Done Me Wrong"
10 "Pistol Packin' Mama"
11 "Ocean of Diamonds"
12 "Drinking Champagne"
13 "I Am A Pilgrim"
14 "House of Gold"
15 "Nobody's Fault But Mine"

Personnel:
Willie Nelson

Additional Musicians

Riley Baugus – banjo
T-Bone Burnett
Dennis Crouch – acoustic bass

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