Two Men With The Blues
by: Willie Nelson/Wynton Marsalis
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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
Album Description:
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
Album Description:
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.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Willie Nelson, Wynton Marsalis and a great, great band.
On this album, Willie Nelson sings with a jazz band led by Wynton Marsalis.The album was recorded live in January of 2007.The set list includes blues songs, country songs and pop standards.Willie's singing style works well with a jazz band, which is not surprising.Actually, Willie sounds like he always sounds, it's the music that is different.It's kind of like a Willie album with a jazz band, featuring more instrumental solos than usual.It's a very good album which Willie's fans should ... Read More
Rating: 
- Absolute Magic
I ordered my copy of this cd with great anticipation and I was not disappointed. The musical selections and musicianship are plain fun!I read some of the other reviews and wondered if those who didn't like the cd had even listened to it. Sadly it seems some may have decided going in that they would not like what they heard and that is a shame.They clearly missed the "music". The only question that matters here is, "Is this good music and is it something one can enjoy listening to again and again?" ... Read More
Rating: - a divine union of Willle and Wynton
Willie and Wynton have individually distinguished themselves as outstanding musician-performers. The blues the two of them together is divine. These two musicians who are passionate about blues have come together to produce a truly special collaboration. This listener is transported by the magic of musical alchemy. The result is golden.
Rating: - A Talented Cast of Dedicated Musicians
My favorite part of this CD is the beautiful instrumental backing, section work, and soloing by the superb Wynton Marsalis band. What a dream rhythm section this group would provide for any singer.
Willie Nelson is, of course, mainly a country singer. But his own band leans heavily on bluesy inflections, and he has previously recorded acclaimed recordings of jazz standards.
Willie's oddball vocal phrasing sometimes throws country musicians for a loop, but it doesn't faze these ... Read More
Rating: - GREAT merging of talents!!
Highly recommended. Willie has ALWAYS been a jazz artist dressed as a country singer and Wynton is one of the greats of our generation- keeping jazz alive. A MUST HAVEfor any collection!
- Willie Nelson, Wynton Marsalis and a great, great band.On this album, Willie Nelson sings with a jazz band led by Wynton Marsalis.The album was recorded live in January of 2007.The set list includes blues songs, country songs and pop standards.Willie's singing style works well with a jazz band, which is not surprising.Actually, Willie sounds like he always sounds, it's the music that is different.It's kind of like a Willie album with a jazz band, featuring more instrumental solos than usual.It's a very good album which Willie's fans should ... Read More
- Absolute MagicI ordered my copy of this cd with great anticipation and I was not disappointed. The musical selections and musicianship are plain fun!I read some of the other reviews and wondered if those who didn't like the cd had even listened to it. Sadly it seems some may have decided going in that they would not like what they heard and that is a shame.They clearly missed the "music". The only question that matters here is, "Is this good music and is it something one can enjoy listening to again and again?" ... Read More
- a divine union of Willle and WyntonWillie and Wynton have individually distinguished themselves as outstanding musician-performers. The blues the two of them together is divine. These two musicians who are passionate about blues have come together to produce a truly special collaboration. This listener is transported by the magic of musical alchemy. The result is golden.
- A Talented Cast of Dedicated MusiciansMy favorite part of this CD is the beautiful instrumental backing, section work, and soloing by the superb Wynton Marsalis band. What a dream rhythm section this group would provide for any singer.
Willie Nelson is, of course, mainly a country singer. But his own band leans heavily on bluesy inflections, and he has previously recorded acclaimed recordings of jazz standards.
Willie's oddball vocal phrasing sometimes throws country musicians for a loop, but it doesn't faze these ... Read More
- GREAT merging of talents!!Highly recommended. Willie has ALWAYS been a jazz artist dressed as a country singer and Wynton is one of the greats of our generation- keeping jazz alive. A MUST HAVEfor any collection!
