Search - Willie Nelson :: Countryman [Digipack]

An enticing and powerful concoction

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 08/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 35:53 -- Ten years in the making, Willie Nelson (and 17 other musicians) fuse country and reggae sounds into an enticing and powerful concoction. But you've got to wonder why the record execs kept a lid on this music for nearly a decade? With rhythms to dominate the dancehalls and juke joints, Willie jumps right into the popular music style of Jamaica with largely original music he composed or co-wrote with others like Ray Price or Hank Cochran. A couple songs from Jimmy Cliff (The Harder They Come, Sitting in Limbo), and one from Johnny & June Carter Cash (I'm a Worrried Man) round out the set. All are presented with reggae's characteristic chopped guitar or keyboard emphasizing the off beats. I wonder how Bob Marley would like this? I think he'd Be Happy!



What's the origin of this musical style? Mento, the island's raggedy calypso style, originated in the 1950s. In the early 1960s, we started hearing about ska, a shuffling hybrid of mento and R&B. As ska became influenced by American rock in the late 1960s, some called it "rude boy" music for the street anarchists who followed the music. Reggae emerged as a popular influence on world music in the 1970s, largely thanks to its talented superstar Bob Marley who was also a powerful moral authority when the U.S. was at war in Vietnam. The word "reggae" might come from the patois "streggae" (rudeness) or perhaps "regge-regge" (quarrel). Toots (Frederick) Hibbert who wrote "Do the Reggay" once said the term is merely descriptive, meaning simply "regular." Toots makes a special guest cameo appearance on Willie's album at track 3, "I'm a Worried Man." Toots, you may remember, gave us a successful reggae cover of John Denver's "Country Roads," and his "True Love" album release even featured an appearance of Nelson.



Reggae was influenced by Rastafarianism, a cult belief that racial harmony wouldn't work and that blacks should return to Africa. The Rastas were ascetic, vegetarian and peaceful. They also had an affinity for powerful ganja as an aid to meditation. The best songs that work for Willie Nelson are those with hard-hitting social messages that speak from the heart of the proletariat, such as "The Harder They Come" and "I'm a Worried Man." A catchy song like "Sitting in Limbo" has potential to become a reggae classic.



"Countryfarianism" could be the moniker for Willie's new, hypnotic, bass-dominated sound. He still focuses on

making a statement with his music, and he reinvents some of his classics like "One in a Row," "You Left Me a Long Time Ago," and "Darkness on the Face of The Earth." It makes sense that Willie chooses Jamaica's shuffling "country" music style to infuse these chestnuts with new ingredients of repose and consciousness. Willie's relaxed vocal delivery is perfect for the spiritual essence of this new blend that will send lightning bolts striking through the followers of both genres. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, OR.)

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Best Reggae Album Of Year

Rodney Sell | Pembroke Pines, FL United States | 08/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's sad to say that it took a wise old American countryman to spin the best reggae album in some time. For those of you reggae fans that appreciate "real" reggae without the rap crap influence, this is for you. Willie nails this one...great song writing, perfect tempo, and on the money production by Don Was. And what's more, Willie makes a perfect mix of country and sweet reggae. The man is getting better with age. Check out "Worried Man" and hear how Was puts it all together...sweetness. Willie and Toots Hibbert... two veterans of their respective musical genres in perfect sync. Or try "Live here in your eyes." Another example of master infusion of two music types worlds apart, yet neighbors in the sense of earthy groundage. I don't know how the backup musicians came to be, but all wise choices. You will not here more on the money percussion and timing from this bass and drum combo...tight, sweet and on the money. Keep it going Willie. My vote for album of the year. Awesome!"

His best since Teatro

Don Charlie | Denver, CO | 11/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Full disclosure: My knowledge of reggae stops just beyond Bob Marley and UB40.



My knowledge of Willie is much more extensive which is why I have no problem rating this album 5 stars. Whether the songs are more country-infused reggae or reggae-infused country, I don't care. It just works. My favorite tracks are Sitting In Limbo and The Harder They Come, but really there isn't a weak track on the album, and I know a thing or two about weak Willie tracks (see anything on Live and Kickin').



Amazon should run a "Better Together" with the excellent Throw Down Your Arms by Sinead O'Connor. That one is brilliant too."