Release Date: Nov 22, 2011
Genre(s): Country, Pop/Rock, Progressive Country, Outlaw Country, Country-Pop, Traditional Country
Record label: R&J
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After dabbling in reggae and the American songbook during the aughts, Willie Nelson began reclaiming his country roots on last year's Country Music. Here, he nails classics like George Jones' "Why Baby Why" and "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke," a 1947 novelty hit mocking cigarette addiction. Nelson's voice is perfectly preserved, but an overstuffed band of Nashville pros provides stiff arrangements, and Willie has already released better versions of several tracks here.
Remember Me, Vol. 1 will undoubtedly have a lot of volumes following in its wake, since the premise is unlimited, with Willie Nelson revisiting and recording his favorite country hits from the past 70 years in his signature Willie Nelson style, backed by some of Nashville’s finest session musicians. Among the highlights here are Nelson's versions of Ernest Tubb's “Remember Me,” Webb Pierce's “Slowly,” Porter Wagoner's “Satisfied Mind,” Ray Price's “Release Me,” and Merle Haggard's “Ramblin’ Fever,” although each track has its own kind of hushed and easy-flowing grace to it.
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