Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Nelson’s cross-generational appeal is still swinging
The musician, who performed in Roanoke, mixed western swing with country classics.
Jared Soares | The Roanoke Times
Willie Nelson is touring with Asleep at the Wheel to support their new CD, "Willie and the Wheel."
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Willie Nelson, at 75 years old, is still a rock star.
No matter that he plays country and jazz music. No matter that his style is not in keeping with today’s pop-friendly Nashville, Tenn., machine.
What matters is presence. And on Tuesday night at Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre, Nelson showed the charisma and stage presence of a rock star. The 1,783 people inside the 2,151-capacity venue could feel it, and many called out to him.
They were into a standing ovation before Nelson even had his guitar strap on. And with a mix of old western swing songs, his own country music classics and a couple of new songs, he showed his appreciation. When it was over, Nelson greeted fans at stage front, then he encored with "Good Hearted Woman," "Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" and "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain."
Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel are touring to support their new CD, "Willie and the Wheel," the brainchild of the late, legendary Atlantic Records co-founder, Jerry Wexler. In a 30-minute opening set, Asleep at the Wheel shuffled and chugged through versions of "Liza Jane," "Choo-Choo Boogie" and others from that nearly century-old marriage of big band jazz to fiddles and steel guitar. Tight ensemble playing, with tough, horn-infused shout choruses ensued, with good instrumental solos all around and a quick foray into Miles Davis’ "Two Bass Hit."
Bandleader/guitarist Ray Benson, fiddle player/singer Jason Roberts and rhythm guitarist/singer Elizabeth McQueen delivered pleasant enough vocals — Benson has bass note power to spare. But they needed a transcendent voice to lift the music beyond the realm of museum piece.
Enter Nelson, whose steely yet bittersweet tone has made him as identifiable a singer as this country has produced. His cross-generational appeal was obvious as young men and women made their way near the front of the stage to photograph him. He played to the cameras as he sang such standards as "Whiskey River," "Funny How Time Slips Away" and "The Night Life." He slashed and strummed through his signature Django Reinhardt meets Chicago blues take on guitar solos.
Songs from the new CD got a good response, too. But the folks went nuts for the hits.
