21 July 2008
CD of the Week - Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis
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Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis may come from two different corners of the record store, but when they came together for two days of concerts in New York, that became their CD Two Men and the Blues, they brought out the best in each other.
Willie’s relaxed vocal and guitar phrasing and his instantly recognisable sound contrasts and merges with Wynton and his band’s sharp, cheeky, big city take on this selection of blues, jazz, country and gospel tunes. As Ben Ratliff said in his review of the CD for The New York Times, the hidden inspiration of the album is Louis Armstrong, who did a similar thing in his duets with early country performer Jimmie Rodgers in 1930 and whose deceptively simple trumpet improvisations are the cornerstone of Marsalis’ style. On this CD, Willie, Wynton and their band members follow Louis' lead in eluding ‘American stereotypes of country, city, blues, jazz, race, class humour and sadness.’
Presenter
Lucky Oceans
Producer
Lucky Oceans
