Willie Nelson covers "Songbird"

[Livia]

And it's the title of his new album w/ Ryan Adams.

http://www.livedaily.com/news/Willie_Nelson_Ryan_Adams_issue_new_album_this_fall-10565.html?t=98

Willie Nelson, Ryan Adams issue new album this fall

August 17, 2006 01:40 PM
by Jon Zahlaway
liveDaily Senior Writer
Those waiting for Willie Nelson to spend his golden years in retirement will have to keep waiting; the prolific country legend has teamed with alt-rocker Ryan Adams on a soon-to-be-released album and, as always, continues to work the concert circuit.
On Halloween, Nelson will drop the new set, "Songbird," which is a collection of covers that includes new renditions of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," Gram Parsons' "$1000 Wedding," Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter's "Stella Blue," and the title track, which was written by Christine McVie and originally appeared on Fleetwood Mac's landmark album "Rumours."

The set also includes new renditions of Nelson classics such as "Sad Songs and Waltzes" and "We Don't Run," as well as two new Nelson originals: "Back to Earth" and "Blue Hotel," the latter of which was written by Adams, who also served as the album's producer.

Backing Nelson in the studio was Adams--who played acoustic, electric and bass guitars--as well as Adams' band, The Cardinals: Neal Casal (piano, guitar), Jon Graboff (pedal steel), Brad Pemberton (drums) and Catherine Popper (bass).

Nelson and Adams presumably will preview some of the new material during their Sept. 10 concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, where the two will share the stage on the third and final night of Nelson's upcoming run at the venue. The show is part of Nelson's in-progress summer tour, much of which comprises co-headlining shows with John Fogerty.

[shackin'up]

What a fantastic combination! Great that Ryan produces. I'd LOVE to hear them sing together! Thanks for the heads up (again), Livia!

[Livia]

Yeah, I'm going to ACL - I can't wait!

[rbs3676]

Im a SIRIUS radio member, and they have been talking about this release non-stop. In fact, the buzz is as big as the Jack White/Loretta Lynn release (which I adored). Being a Texan, I have grown up with Willie and have had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times. He is, without a doubt, a legend.
Gonna see him at ACL next month and can't wait....

rbs

[macfan 57]

I posted this link in the Christine forum and only Michael responded!
I was excited by the news too, but apparently none of Christine's fans were :laugh:


I'm not much for covers of my favorite songs, especially by a favorite artist. I like to hear Christine McVie songs sung by Christine. But, I did see your post in the Christine forum. :)

[jbrownsjr]

I posted this link in the Christine forum and only Michael responded!
I was excited by the news too, but apparently none of Christine's fans were :laugh:
No doubt it's better placed here, so thank you :)

Are you going to the Austin City Limits festival Livia?

sorry i must have missed this... i am travelling but i see it now!! :thumbsup:

[DavidMn]

Hmm, sounds like an interesting combination.

[nicepace]

I am very happy to see someone with the reputation of Willie Nelson covering a song by Christine. It gives credibility to her as a songwriter. Although I am sure I agree that Christine herself does the best possible version of "Songbird," I hope I will get a chance to hear Willie's version.

-Joanne (fan since 1974)

[chiliD]

IAlthough I am sure I agree that Christine herself does the best possible version of "Songbird,"

I actually think Eva Cassidy's version tops the original...by a slim margin.

[SortaSavageLike]

I actually think Eva Cassidy's version tops the original...by a slim margin.

C'mon, you just don't wanna say anything nice about Rumours. :p

[chiliD]

Have you HEARD Eva Cassidy's version?? :shrug:

I LIKED Rumours until around 1983. There. Happy?

[Peestie]

Have you HEARD Eva Cassidy's version?? :shrug:


It's definitely a close call as to which I prefer. The Eva Cassidy version is by far the more legendary one. Before I got into Fleetwood Mac I didn't even know it was a Mac song. Both are fantastic :nod:

[nicepace]

I don't recall ever hearing Eva Cassidy's version. Can I hear it online anywhere?

-Joanne (fan since 1974)

[xxxmx]

On Halloween, Nelson will drop the new set, "Songbird," which is a collection of covers that includes new renditions of... Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter's "Stella Blue..."

:blob2: :blob1: :blob2:

i will be buying the album for this, not Songbird.

thanks for the heads up :wavey:

[JazmenFlowers]

I love Willie. I can hear this version in my head, though I've never heard it...his singing doesn't really change from song to song.

[bikerchic]

There's now a clip of Willie's Songbird up at the Lost Highway site, and I must say it sounds bloody brilliant. I can't wait for this album!


http://main.losthighwayrecords.com/player.aspx?fid=575&ftyp=4&pgid=6&hid=61



I love it! Thanks for posting that. Poncho and Lefty sounds great too. It's an old fav of mine.

[MacMan]

Holy man, that's sounds excellent!

[shackin'up]

There's now a clip of Willie's Songbird up at the Lost Highway site, and I must say it sounds bloody brilliant. I can't wait for this album!


http://main.losthighwayrecords.com/player.aspx?fid=575&ftyp=4&pgid=6&hid=61

I'll be buying it cos, well it's Willie and my man Ryan! But the Songbird cover is a bonus.

thanks. THAT is a cover.
I'm spreading the word over here. I hope this album is gonna find a big audience.

[JazmenFlowers]

^^^
well, Willie is a genius.

doesn't he already have a pretty large fanbase?

[SillyDreamer]

Am I the only one that thinks it sound wayyy overboard?

I love Willie, but I feel like I can barely hear him through the loud, trodding band that doesn't seem particularly interested in giving him--or the song--a chance to breathe. It rather reminds me of Judy Collins "Both Sides Now," but not nearly as pleasant. Both take a song that's originally a very intimate piece between songwriter and instrument, add eight or nine additional tracks and a drum beat. Does that make the song better?

I suppose I'm just used to a far more sparse and gentle Songbird. I'll give it another listen, I guess. :shrug:

[trackaghost]

Am I the only one that thinks it sound wayyy overboard?



But, what's the point in covering a song and doing it exactly the same way as the original?
I've heard several covers of Songbird and all are "sparse and gentle".
At the very least, Willie is attempting a new spin on the song, and to my ears anyway, the results are fantastic.
I love hearing different interpretations of songs I love, I always find it interesting to hear a new take on something I've become so familiar with.

[bikerchic]

^^ I don't know, when I listen to a song, I just try to enjoy it for what it is and not dissect it to death :shrug:

[carrie721]

so has anyone picked this up yet? i love the cover artwork, but i haven't had a chance to buy it yet.

[Livia]

I haven't bought it yet, but it's been getting great reviews! :wavey:

[MacMan]

Here's the song for anyone interested. I like it, I think he did the song justice...

http://www.sendspace.com/file/fwo88n

[carrie721]

Here's the song for anyone interested. I like it, I think he did the song justice...

love it! thanks, macman! i like how he made it kind of breezy and upbeat ... an interesting counterpoint to christine's contemplative/nostalgic tone.

[Livia]

I love it! :thumbsup:

[Mr. Wonderful]

I love the cover. It's still just as heartfelt as the original, and that's due to the oustanding lyrics. The rest of the album is awesome too, and his version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah is quite cool, if somewhat overly similar to Jeff Buckley's version. (Am I the only one who's sick of hearing that all the time on TV shows and movies?! It's a beautiful song, but it's getting done to death!)

--Hugh