Within Hear Music's Artist's Choice series, the Willie Nelson and Ray Charles compilations serve almost as mirror images of each other. Charles, a black man raised on gospel, blues and jazz, had a long and successful artistic relationship with country music, and Nelson, who first achieved his reputation as a Nashville songwriter, eventually brought his idiosyncratic jazz and blues phrasing to country music when he became a successful recording artist. It's only fitting, then, that Nelson's "Always on My Mind" closes Charles ...
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Within Hear Music's Artist's Choice series, the Willie Nelson and Ray Charles compilations serve almost as mirror images of each other. Charles, a black man raised on gospel, blues and jazz, had a long and successful artistic relationship with country music, and Nelson, who first achieved his reputation as a Nashville songwriter, eventually brought his idiosyncratic jazz and blues phrasing to country music when he became a successful recording artist. It's only fitting, then, that Nelson's "Always on My Mind" closes Charles' Artist's Choice CD, while Charles opens the Nelson Artist's Choice CD with his version of "I Can't Stop Loving You," and jazz trumpeter Miles Davis ends it with "Bye Bye Blackbird." With all the musical knowledge percolating in Nelson's head, he (like Charles) could have created any number of different Artist's Choice collections, drawing upon his various influences and catholic musical tastes. This particular collection, though, is a rather melancholy affair, and the inclusion of a '40s recording of Django Reinhardt's "Nuages" (Reinhardt being one of Nelson's guitar heroes) as well as the classic 1957 Davis rendition of "Bye Bye Blackbird," and a '30s version of Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" sung by Carmichael himself, also imbues the CD with a sepia-tinged nostalgia, along with its melancholy aspect. Not a bad thing, really -- just a particular aura that the program communicates, which is further enhanced by Nelson's excursion into country music history with "Faded Love," a country swing number by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, and the country gold of Hank Williams ("I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"), the Louvin Brothers ("When I Stop Dreaming") and Eddy Arnold ("Bouquet of Roses"). In country music parlance, all these tunes definitely qualify as "tear jerkers." Even the more modern pieces in the group have a pensive, reflective quality, including Simon & Garfunkel's "Homeward Bound," Leonard Cohen's "Bird on the Wire" George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and Leon Russell's "My Cricket." The only really upbeat contributions to the CD are Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come" (ironically upbeat, at that, in light of the movie protagonist's fate) and Frank Sinatra's "Embraceable You." In short, this is a fine (and educational) collection but one that showcases Nelson's thoughtful and even sentimental side, rather than the more exuberant outlaw sensibility that he cultivated earlier in his career. ~ Bill Tilland, Rovi
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Add this copy of Artist's Choice: Willie Nelson to cart. $1.99, fair condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Hear Music/UMG.
Add this copy of Artist's Choice: Willie Nelson to cart. $3.45, good condition, Sold by Goodwill of Colorado rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Hear Music/UMG.
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All our items come in the original case with artwork, though manuals and slipcovers are not always guaranteed to be included as these items are donated goods. We typically resurface discs that are visibly scratched prior to shipping, but we do not test disc(s). Digital codes may not be included and have not been tested to be redeemable and/or active. Thank you for shopping with Goodwill Colorado! Orders shipped Monday through Friday. Safe and Secure Bubble Mailer! Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Thank you!
Add this copy of Artist's Choice: Willie Nelson to cart. $3.45, very good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Hear Music/UMG.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Artist's Choice: Willie Nelson to cart. $3.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Hear Music/UMG.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Artist's Choice: Willie Nelson to cart. $3.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Hear Music/UMG.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Artist's Choice: Willie Nelson to cart. $10.49, good condition, Sold by Music Fiendz rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from South Hackensack, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Hear Music/UMG.
