Honeysuckle Rose (Bonus Tracks) (1980) (Remastered)

This is certainly one of the more unusual items in Nelson's storied album catalog. Nominally a soundtrack to the 1980 film in which Nelson starred, this is actually a live set of Nelson and several friends. Recorded in front of an enthusiastic (but polite) audience, it provides Nelson a chance to revisit many of his chestnuts ("On the Road Again" "Pick Up the Tempo" "Bloody Mary Morning" "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground") and several songs closely associated with him ("Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" "Whiskey River"). Nelson and his band are loose and energized by each other and the crowd, taking well-known songs in new directions. The mood is that of a bunch of talented musicians passing around the guitar, rather than a formal, orchestrated concert. ¶ In addition to Nelson's fine performances, the disc features excellent work from one time Texas Playboy fiddler Johnny Gimble (his "Fiddlin' Around" swings effortlessly), as well as Nelson's guitarist Jody Payne singing a harmonica-fueled version of Merle Haggard's "Working Man Blues." Also in attendance (and lured out of the audience) is famed Nashville songwriter Hank Cochran who sings his own "I Don't Do Windows" and "Make the World Go Away." Emmylou Harris performs a magnificent star-turn on Nelson and Cochran's "So You Think You're a Cowboy" and duets beautifully with Nelson on Rodney Crowell's "Angel Eyes." ¶ Actress Dyan Cannon duets with Nelson on both "Loving You Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)" and "Uncloudy Day," and flies solo for Nelson's "Two Sides of Every Story." No one would mistake her for a top-notch country singer (at times she over-emotes like Nancy Sinatra, at other times she sounds like Mary Kay Place), but she acquits herself reasonably well. Amy Irving also gets into the act, duetting with Nelson on Kris Kristofferson's "You Show Me Yours (And I'll Show You Mine)," and soloing on Nelson's "If You Want Me to Love You I Will." The latter, omitted from the original CD release, isn't a showstopper, but its rarity makes it an interesting addition to Nelson's catalog. ¶ In contrast to traditional live albums such as "Willie and Family Live," this disc provides a sense of what it's like to ride the bus with Willie Nelson. Great songs, great singers, and a great time. Columbia/Legacy's remastering is balanced and sharp, with the audience blended so as not to be distracting. The bonus unreleased tracks (Nelson's "Yesterday's Wine" and a speedy take of "Good Hearted Woman") are nice additions, but nearly overwhelming as they extend the disc to 78:26. Jonny Whiteside's liner notes are long on admiration for Nelson, but short on details about the recording or film from which it sprang.
 
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