www.thepaulleslie.com
by: Paul Leslie
Whether we’re in the good times or the world is on fire, the only sure thing is that Willie Nelson will release a new album. He’s been doing so year after year since his debut as a recording artist in 1962. There’ve only been a couple of years where there was no new Willie Nelson record. However, in several years there were multiple Willie Nelson records.
As a recording artist, the great volume of Willie’s output is only matched by the quality. We think of 20/20 as being perfect vision. Looking clearly at the year 2020, I find myself wanting to close my eyes more than keeping them open. But I get by with a little help from my friends.
Speaking of which, my good friend Jeff Pike got on the horn to talk about music reviews. He told me, “You can’t give every album a great review,”PAUSE “Not everyone’s album is perfect.” I replied, “Yes, unless you’re Willie Nelson.” Jeff answered “Well, true.”
This phone call with Jeff is what inspired this review of Willie Nelson’s 70th album entitled “The First Rose of Spring,” produced by Buddy Cannon. Buddy has been credited as record producer of almost every single Willie Nelson release since the 2012 album “Heroes,”
I’ll be expressing what struck me about Willie Nelson’s 70th album.
The First Rose of Spring
The album starts in the soul, which is where Willie’s music lives. The title track, “The First Rose of Spring” tells a mournful story. We think of roses for their beauty, but so often what is beautiful devastates us the most. Willie’s voice has always been suited for the bittersweet. This song written by Nashville heavyweights Allen Shamblin, Randy Houser and Marc Beeson lets you know that this is going to be an album true to country music’s most important component: hard-hitting emotional lyrics.
Blue Star
“Blue Star,” is the second song on the album, which Willie co-wrote with Buddy Cannon. Sonically, this track is great. The steel guitar gives it a nostalgic quality, but it also seems very youthful, hopeful and idealistic. It’s a soothing track and one of the real highlights on the album. It grabbed me instantly.
Don’t Let the Old Man In
Willie Nelson is not old. Despite being 87, I have never thought of him as an old man. I’m betting this is the case for a lot of you. He’s timeless, and“time” is a constant theme in the songs he writes and those he chooses to cover. On the last album “Ride Me Back Home,” he even called time his friend on the brilliant song “Come on Time.”
Growing old and time is the subject of “Don’t Let the Old Man In” written by Toby Keith. Toby wrote it after having a conversation with director Clint Eastwood. Clint’s sage advice inspired this song.
Sometimes worlds collide and in this case, Toby Keith, Clint Eastwood and Willie Nelson came together. One moment in time: a simple conversation is immortalized in song. This is the magic and gift that is songwriting and storytelling.