Review 1 of 2

2Kool2B4Gotten writes:

4of 5 Stars

I was somewhat hesitant to get this album. Willie's last album was produced by a singer-songwriter who drained the life out of all the songs on the album. Now this is produced by a different singer-songwriter who is a mainstream country singer who is at best a Jimmy Buffett wannabe. Kenny Chesney is best known as that guy who had his marriage annulled by Renee Zellweger because he looked like George Constanza without his cowboy hat on. So, my expectations wasn't too high when I finally got this album.

It's just like Willie to subvert expectations. This reminds me of his best 80's albums like "Always On My Mind". While I agree that the productions on this album is slick, the productions work in service of the song. Instead of overwhelming it in favor of radio airplay like most country and pop music tends to do.

All the songs are really strong except for the weak duet with Kenny Chesney "Worry B Gone". I disagree with the critic's take on "Louisiana". It's music not a 24 news channel. If someone wants to cover a song that parallels an event that occurred couple of years ago that the city still hasn't recover from, I think it's fair game. Plus the fact, that the song gives me the chills to realize that the flood in the song isn't about Katrina. Instead it's about a flood that occurred in 1927.

My favorite songs that are worth checking out for yourself are "Gravedigger", "Takin' On Water", and "Louisiana".

Feb 16, 2008 12:22:59

Review 2 of 2

waldodio writes:

3of 5 Stars

I think the reviewer is too hard on this album. For a guy who's been recording for, what, about 103 years, it's good to update his sound a bit. The album has a nice use of modern guitar sounds, strings and other intrumentation, which always add to the mix rather than detract from it, I think. Besides, you can never have too many songs about pirates and reminders of how screwed New Orleans is after Katrina.

Jan 30, 2008 07:35:47