The event was simply billed as "Willie Nelson Sings the Blues," but the historic two-night stand on January 12 and 13, 2007 at Jazz at Lincoln Center was far more than that. Call it a summit meeting between two American icons, Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis, two of the most significant figures in modern-day country and jazz, who discovered common ground in their love for jazz standards and the blues. Their performance stirred the sounds of New Orleans, Nashville, Austin and New York City into a brilliantly programmed mix that was equal parts down-home and cosmopolitan, with plenty of swing and just a touch of melancholy. To say that these shows were a hot ticket would be an understatement. Luckily, the tapes were rolling and the results of this unique collaboration now constitute the Blue Note album Two Men With The Blues for everyone who couldn't cram into The Allen Room. Featuring great playing from one of the hottest bands around these classic tracks are given new life by the extraordinary dual talents of Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis. At a time when most people are thinking of retirement, Willie has never been busier. His profile has been high in recent weeks with his various career retrospective releases and sold out tour and this album can rightly stake it's place alongside anything else he has done. Wynton rarely sounds so relaxed and both of these musical giants are clearly having the time of their lives together on these new interpretations of some of the greatest songs of the 20th century.
Two Men with the Blues is no more a jazz album than a blues album. It's neither jazz returning home, nor blues wandering out. What Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis have created is a compilation of jump-blues standards with arrangements that compliment both genres. While most of the album is careful not to take itself too seriously, there are a few tracks that seem to plod on for ages. The live set kicks off with the upbeat "Bright Lights, Big City," on which Marsalis' horn is crisp and full. "Ain't Nobody's Business" and "Basin Street Blues" are arranged slower than better known versions but still fit the album's context. Nelson and Marsalis's take on "Stardust" comes off as a bit too "Sinatra" for Nelson's thin vocal, while "Georgia on My Mind" just doesn't work at all. Still, the things that work, work well. "Night Life" and "Rainy Day Blues" are particular stand-outs, and "Caldonia" is a faithful homage to the Louis Jordan original (minus Jordan's screaming punch line, of course). The album ends riding high on closer "That's All," with its straight-out-of-a-New-Orleans-Baptist-church feel. Both Nelson and Marsalis are notorious for collaborating with other artists. Therefore, it seems only natural that they've found themselves on a project together. Overall, this set is well worth the wait. --Eric C.P. Martin
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
The blues the way they are suppose to sound:
This blending of jazz, country, and blues is the one permanent album in my car rotation. Musicianship at its finest.
Louisiana:
I enjoy a variety of music. I can
do county, but Willie Nelson has always
been my favorite because my home is Texas.
This is great; Winton Marasalis and Willie
Nelson duo. Linda
I expected more:
This album had me guessing what would be heard before I bought it..I am well versed in New Orleans music styles having played a lot of it in various jazz bands for years..I play the trombone..
The phrasing was ok..the instrumental licks were ok..Willie can read with the best of them...Put it all together and I expected more from Wynton..I recognise him to be a genius. I have seen him play, have listened to his many music shows on XM radio, have watched many specials that he has dome on tv..but I... more info
give up Willie:
Willie Nelson once again ruins a masterful effort by Wynton and the band. How can such accomplished artists as Marsalis and even Ray himself (Genius Loves Company) not notice the complete lack of singing talent the man possesses? Certainly Willie is an amazing songwriter and performer and even managed to croak out some pretty good ballads in his native country music genre, but PLEASE keep him away from other material!
