Artist: Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel
Title: Willie and the Wheel
Label: Bismeaux Records
Release Date: 2.3.09
UPC: 0020286128724
Genres: Americana: Swing
Territories: World
By: Michael Madavi
These days, Willie Nelson’s name has become synonymous with many things: outlaw country, Texas, marijuana, and political avocation. Over the last handful of decades, Nelson has made such a serious contribution to music that an attempt to encompass all his achievements would prove futile. The pony-tailed grey wonder has played almost every genre of music (even working with Snoop Dog in Amsterdam this past year) and made a massive contribution to the popularization and preservation of country music; his name is instantly recognizable (bonus fact: he also has a black belt in martial arts!).
Asleep at the Wheel, a name that might not catch the average reader’s eye as easily as Willie’s, are a group of musicians who have single-handedly kept the timeless and spirited genre of swing-country alive for the past 30 years. Anyone with a proper knowledge of country music’s last few decades would enthusiastically praise this six-piece’s talent, and that’s before mentioning their nine (nine!!) Grammy Awards. Comprised of some of country’s finest musicians, The Wheel have built themselves a legacy of fantastic work and continue to impress.
Willie and The Wheel is the new, wonderfully nostalgic collaboration between these two country giants. Nelson, who’s tried a myriad of different styles over the years, returns to some of his roots, playing a classic collection of old favorites from the swing-country catalogue like “Hesitation Blues” and Bobby Darin’s “I Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None.” The songs were handpicked by legendary country producer, the late Jerry Wexler who came up with the idea for the record while Willie was signed to Atlantic Records, but couldn’t complete the project since Nelson changed labels. Overall, the album makes for an old fashioned good time, joyful and fun while remaining musically impressive. Be sure to catch Willie and The Wheel on the following dates:
February 2009
11 – Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Theatre
12 – Wilkes Barre, PA – Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
13 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre
14 – Utica, NY – Stanley Theatre for the Performing Arts
15 – Albany, NY – Palace Theatre
17 – Roanoke, VA – Roanoke Civic Center
18 – Williamston, NC – Bob Martin Agricultural Center
19 – Boone, NC – Holmes Convocation Center
20 – Durham, NC – Durham Performing Arts Center
21 – Greensboro, NC -War Memorial Auditorium
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