The second night of Willie Nelson & Family at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center was sold out and filled with people who were so excited to see WN&F. It was a Friday night, the work week was done and lots of folks had visited the bars on Broadway before the show. It was a lively crowd, and fans were enjoying Willie and he was enjoying them. It was still a show where people wanted to sit, maybe that’s a symphony venue thing, i don’t know. But on Friday entire rows of young woman would stand up for Willie.
Willie tossed out bandannas all night long. It’s always so exciting, and it creates this ripple of excitement and love. It’s hard to explain, but it fun to experience at a concert.
The acoustics were so good, it’s one of the best places I’ve ever got to hear a Willie Nelson and Family concert. I was sitting a few rows back, in the center,and I know that’s a sweet spot in any hall. Usually, I try to be in the front row for all the obvious advantages, but the sound was incredible sitting back a ways. Trigger was so crystal clear, it was goosebump-raising, if that’s a word — listening to Willie Nelson play his guitar. It was painfully beautiful, if that makes any sense.
All the instruments were crystal clear, Kevin Smith playing his stand up bass, Paul English playing percussion, Billy English’s crisp drumming. Mickey Raphael on harmonicas, and the amazing Bobbie Nelson on piano. Damn they sounded good. That’s my professional review.
The lighting was really cool, too. We didn’t get a Texas flag, ’cause people were sitting behind Willie and they wanted to see him too, of course. But the entire back wall would change colors throughout the concert. They had Budrock locked in some glass booth way at the back, and I didn’t get to see him or talk about the lighting. But it was cool. Sound man Bobby Flaco sat in front of a giant sound board against the back wall, it was like he was piloting a space ship.
Bobbie Nelson looked so beautiful, and her music was so beautiful. I don’t know what she uses on her skin and hair, but she could have her own ShopNBC channel and sell beauty products. She looked great. Like she usually does, she stayed on after the show and after her brother had left the stage, and she and Paul came up to the front of the stage to talk and shake hands and sign autographs. She is such a gracious, classy woman. And her piano playing! Wow. Listen to her on this video. I do a terrible job making videos, so just close your eyes and listen to Willie Nelson & Family play this amazing song from their new album that will be out soon, “Summertime.”
Mickey Raphael lives in Nashville, and his solos, and there were lots of them, drew even louder cheers than usual from family and fans in the audience.
The band broke into Bonaparte’s Retreat and the good Judge joined Willie Nelson on stage for the chorus.
Raelyn Nelson joined Willie Nelson on stage for the gospel set on Friday night. She lives in Nashville with her three children, and it must be fun when the family comes to town for a great reunion. She posted pictures of Willie with her twins and daughters on the bus, on Facebook. So sweet, Willie with his great grand kids on his bus.
Willie and Bobbie and the band took a long time saying goodbye to the fans after the show. And they were surrounded by fans, 360 degrees, on three levels, so it took a lot of waving. I got dizzy watching them.
