On his new album, “Let’s Face the Music and Dance,” Willie Nelson and his musical Family band lay the musical vibe that has kept them on the road for decades across a swath of American classics. The impressive tracklist ranges from the 1935 Irving Berlin title track to a sparse introspective update of the singer’s own “Is the Better Part Over.”
To mark the new album (You can read my review of it here), Nelson has released a video that captures the musicians recording Django Reinhardt’s “Nuages” in the studio. Watch it below. One of a pair of instrumental tracks on the record, the song dances across the smoky jazz riffs from Nelson’s classical guitar, Trigger,” and the musical interplay of his sister Bobbie Nelson’s piano and Mickey Raphael’s resonant harmonica.
The black and white video captures the moment beautifully. At nearly 80 years old (his birthday is next week), Nelson’s face carries the emotions of a life well-lived, but not nearly finished. The band sits at the ready to add their inspiration to the lush track. But, it is Nelson’s hands and Trigger who are the stars here – both cracked and craggy, yet filled with musical vitality. His fingers dance across the strings just above the ragged texture of the guitar’s face. And, it’s all captured gorgeously in remarkable clarity.
This video probably won’t be one of country music’s most-watched of the year, but it is likely one of the best.
