Outside Lands 2013: The 10 Best Things We Saw on Sunday:
(see their complete list and read article here.)
1. Willie Nelson & Family
The redheaded stranger turned 80 this year and he’s no worse for wear. Like the whiskey he often sings about (he opened with 1973’s “Whiskey River”) Willie Nelson only seems to get better with age — his voice deeper, his words wiser — even if he’s increasingly aware of his creeping mortality. That the man closed his triumphant set with “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die” seemed a little morbid if not too on the nose, but that combination of libertarian spunk and unblinking truthfulness is what makes Nelson a living classic. Which must be the reason John “Uncle Jesse” Stamos felt compelled to slip onstage and play bongos in Willie’s Family band for the second half of the gig (he did fine, now let’s move on).
“Still Is Still Moving to Me” was another latter-day highlight, though the Outside Lands audience was most thrilled to hear old soulful numbers like “Georgia on My Mind” and “Night Life,” and outlaw tales like “Beer for My Horses” and “Me and Paul.” Unofficial fest mayor Bob Weir also showed up to assist on a cover of Hank Williams’ “Jambalaya (On the Bayou),” and Nelson tossed out a half-dozen hats and bandanas from his head to fans’ hands before the things was over. The bells and whistles were fun, but we were there for the tunes, and to remind the world once again (by slurring loudly in unison) of the dangers mammas letting their babies grow up to be cowboys. C.M.