Willie Nelson on USA Network - Ouch

Graham Lathrop · Post by **Graham Lathrop** » 14 Jun 2004 11:01 am

Roger,
Point understood. I tremendously respect musicians who play at the level of Bill Evans, Emmonds, and even Pat Metheny(I worked for his manager). However I would argue that country music is a songwriting based art form. Those that appreciate good country songs should have open ears for well written songs of all genres. The best songwriters are not the virtuosos and vice versa. They should learn to respect their different talents though. Seriously,check out Love and Theft, comprehend what it took for the man to get to that point to write those songs and then make a decision.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 14 Jun 2004 2:37 pm

If you play simple music (such as country music) it seems even more important that you play in time and in tune.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 14 Jun 2004 2:49 pm

Right, Graham - and if you read my earliest 'post' on this topic, I said that I'd prefer Willie to remain a songwriter; I know the way I put it came over as tongue-in-cheek, but I meant it, just the same.

Earnest - I couldn't agree more!

RR
PS: The name 'Love & Theft' duly noted - I'll listen when an opportunity presents itself.[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 14 June 2004 at 07:41 PM.]

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 15 Jun 2004 2:53 am

There's a fairly recent "Crossroads" pairing of Willie and Sheryl Crow in which the band was well rehearsed and the music was arranged to take advantage of the performers' specific talents. I don't think the low quality of the USA show was a result of Willie Nelson's songwriting talents, singing abilities or substance proclivities, or those of the other people on the stage (with the exception of Kid Rock - what's that giant sucking sound?). I think the fault with the show lay in errant priorities with the producers - too much emphasis on celebrity "face time", and a great dearth of attention to musical issues like rehearsal, tuning, pacing and song choices. The story above of Keith Richards refusing to allow the airing of Willie singing "Honky Tonk Women" speaks volumes. The show could have been much better, with a relatively minor shift in priorities. Clearly, the USA network is trying to reach a new demographic with these shows and "Nashville Star".

Savell · Post by **Savell** » 15 Jun 2004 6:31 am

Successful and "Can'tSang" is not synonymous!

Barbershop Quartet - Tom Petty;Bob Dylan;Willie Nelson;the late, great Johnny Cash

I am surprised that Kris Kristofferson has not been listed with the famous non-singers.

I kinda wish Johnny Cash hadn't been listed. I like to hear him. I've actually bought records by all them. There's been times when I could relate to a little off-keyness.

------------------
Savell Norsworthy
Fessenden SD10 / Nashville 400
Savell Ministries

Charles French · Post by **Charles French** » 15 Jun 2004 8:00 am

"I was doing a pub-gig in London in the late '80s with Albert Lee when Willie and some of his band came in (they were in town for the Wembley Festival). We invited them onstage, which delighted pub's manager AND the crowd, but we couldn't believe how poor a couple of his players were (no names!)."

Evidently, Bucky Barrett wasn't with him!

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 15 Jun 2004 10:08 am

No, Charles - we'd have noticed that.

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 16 Jun 2004 8:15 am

JOE WALSH ROCKS!

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 16 Jun 2004 12:30 pm

Voices that would sound good readin' only the phone book:

Waylon, Kris Kristofferson, Sean Connery...[This message was edited by Ray Minich on 16 June 2004 at 01:32 PM.]

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 19 Jun 2004 7:59 am

"I kinda wish Johnny Cash hadn't been listed. I like to hear him. I've actually bought records by all them. There's been times when I could relate to a little off-keyness."

I put Cash in there because I needed a bass vocal. As I stated in a post subsequent to that statement, I am a fan of each of these guys...but really, c'mon, none of them can really SING. That each have a unique vocal style and each artists' style makes their music so much more compelling. But my point was not that any of them are bad by themselves...it's just a combination of vocals that would just...eeek. I shudder to even consider it.