CD Reviews- Willie Nelson- Naked Willie

The Background:
After establishing himself as a major Nashville songwriter (he wrote "Crazy" for Patsy Cline, among others), Willie Nelson signed his first serious artist contract at RCA in 1964. At that time, the producers and A&R men like Chet Atkins were boss. Singers weren't allowed to select arrangements, musicians, studios - any of the key factors in making the records the artist has in mind. Willie was constantly frustrated by the syrupy strings, vocal group choruses and generally "slick" final product. Fast forward to 2008. Willie and long-time harmonica player Mickey Raphael are casually wondering what those records would or could sound like if only the multi-track tapes could be tracked down and the songs re-mixed with the original intent in mind. Gone are the strings and gangs of back-up singers. Gone, in fact is most of the production that always "ruined" the songs. Naked Willie is a new collection of 17 vintage RCA sides - spanning 1966-1970- done the Willie way.

The Review:
Willie Nelson is a national treasure. We don’t have a more prolific recorder in country music even as he approaches his 75th birthday. Naked Willie is compilation of some of his best work, but not at the same time. Its old recordings, but not ever done this way before. Stripped of all of the “Nashville Sound” of strings and background filler, the first thing you notice on Naked Willie is how much clearer and cleaner these new versions sound. Willie's voice takes on a much deeper timbre, and the guitar and piano are also that much crisper sounding. His distinct voice has never been argued to be the fullest and widest range, but it has been the point of distinction between he and other artists that have come and gone. The album allows it to shine here. "The Ghost" becomes something completely new here. Where the original finds Willie's voice drenched in reverb and strings, it becomes much more pronounced here when moved to the forefront of the mix. The classic song "Sunday Morning Coming Down" also benefits from the de-production. You can here the 1960’s shine right through- almost feeling Willie’s disposition after a rough night of beer, cigarettes, and song. In the movies, remakes rarely are as good as the original. Naked Willie is that unique case where an artist revisiting a past work works. It highlights the artist- with only pen, paper, guitar and voice in a way that’s unprotected and inviting. It’s a fantastic album deserving to be in your collection and our favorite thus far into 2009.

Sounds Like:
Fellow Highwaymen Waylon Jennings & Kris Kristofferson

Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
I Just Dropped By
Sunday Mornin’ Coming Down
The Ghost

The Verdict:
Four And A Half Stars Out Of Five