Ordered this off Willie’s website. It came as a USB key in a rubber wristband which I gather you can purchase after the concert. I think the website has a dozen or so of these shows. A bit pricey at $30 a pop, but I’ll probably get ‘em all eventually.
Opens, of course, with “Whiskey River.” Not a memorable version, but it is nice to have a soundboard live recording from 2000. Then comes a solid version of “Good Hearted Woman.” Jody Payne is no Waylon, though. Willie leans on Jody quite a bit for vocals in this show. Mickey Raphael plays an inspired harmonica as always. He was the highlight of Willie’s performance on Letterman last night. Sister Bobbie follows with a rousing version of “Down Yonder” on piano. Jody Payne sings lead on “Working Man Blues.” I think Willie and Trigger have an extended solo as does Mickey Raphael. This version of “Me and Paul” may rank as one of my favorites. The soundboard recording lets you hear Willie’s vocals in a way that you can’t on other live recordings or studio albums. The sound is somehow more direct, more intimate. Willie has some fun with the phrasing on this version of “If You Got the Money,” and Mickey livens it up with his driving harmonica. Then Willie launches into the standard Funny/Crazy/Night Life medley. It’s a nice mellow 8:22 version with some interesting guitar work and Mickey’s haunting harmonica staying tastefully in the background. Again, it’s nice to hear Willie’s vocals so directly off the soundboard. “Mamma Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” just isn’t the same without Waylon. I could do without Jody’s vocals, but Willie is clearly having fun. I don’t know how he does it singing this song for the umpteenth time. This rendition of “Angel Flying to Close to the Ground” may be worth the $30 price for the USB key wristband. It’s just Willie and Trigger and a touch of drums and bass and harmonica. Willie then smartly picks up the pace with a speedy version of “On the Road Again,” but there are so many better versions available; this one doesn’t really distinguish itself. Then he slows it down again with “Always on My Mind.” I like hearing these ballads virtually solo acoustic live. I don’t know how he does it every night, but he sings this song like he just wrote it. Then he launches into a rousing version of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” with spaces for everyone in the family band to solo and a solid take on “Seven Spanish Angels.” Jody Payne is no Ray Charles, but who is. It’s a serviceable version. Followed by “City of New Orleans” and straight into “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before.” Willie even does a little Julio Iglesies imitation for a few words. Then he jumps into “Luchenbach Texas,” a reprise of “Whiskey River,” and “Still is Still Moving to Me.” The line “Don’t let her memory torture me” strikes me today. It reminds me of Brer Rabbit’s “Don’t throw me into the briar patch.” Willie loves being tortured by memories. That’s his bread and butter. His lachrymose lava. Who’s he kidding when he claims he doesn’t want to be tortured anymore by her memory. Even tortured memories can keep you company. Keep me company while you’re torturing me. Willie goes all out on this 7:35 version of “Milk Cow Blues.” I have to just marvel at Mickey Raphael’s tone. Every note is gorgeous. His timbre is Miles Davis-esque. I hope I’m rockin’ like this at 67. I love “Pancho and Lefty,” and Willie’s vocals are impressive on this 5:20 live version, but Jody is no Merle. “Till I Gain Control” is always one of my favorite songs, and this 4:21 version is no exception. It may be one of my favorite versions. This is the first version of “Just Because” I’ve heard Willie do, and a stirring version at that. Willie closes with Hank’s “Jambalaya.” “Son of a gun we’re gonna have some fun on the Bayou.” And Willie is certainly havin’ fun doing this show. I had fun listening to it, too.
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