Out 8/25/09 or available for Pre-Order at Amazon American Classic right now.
www.buffalonews.com
Country/Jazz
Willie Nelson, “American Classic” (Blue Note). Necessary? probably not. The Great American Songbook has been interpreted by so many folks who aren’t technically jazz musicians over the years that the whole thing is beginning to reek of schtick-ness. Certain days, the prospect of hearing someone else warble their way through “The Nearness of You” is enough to make me want to lose my lunch.
Wille Nelson is a different case, though. My lord, this man is charming. So unabashedly and unashamedly does he inhabit himself, so pure in intent and so focused is his idiosyncratic musicianship that he can make the aforementioned “nearness” and other old warhosrses like “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Because of You” sound fresh and new. Or at least, happy and comfortable in their old age. Great arrangements, great musicians, great cameos—Norah Jones, Diana Krall—great songs. And Willie. That’s more than enough to justify “American Classic’s” existence. ???(Jeff Miers