Songs for Tsunami Relief: Austin to South Asia [Limited Edition] [Live]

Amazon.com
When Willie calls, Austin responds. Tragedy brings out the best in this music-minded community, as some of the city's finest artists showed by joining forces with Willie Nelson in a concert to benefit the victims of South Asia's tsunami. With Patty Griffin's "Love Be Heard" and Nelson's rendition of "Living in the Promiseland" setting the idealistic tone, the performances range from the go-for-broke rock of Joe Ely and Alejandro Escovedo to the folkish country of Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis and the arty, indie pop of Spoon. "Travelin' Soldier" provides the best example of the communal spirit of Austin music, as that hit for the Dixie Chicks finds Natalie Maines harmonizing here with the song's composer Robison and his wife Willis. Maines provides vocal support for Griffin on "Mary," and Griffin teams with Nelson on a set-closing duet of "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground." With a generous selection of 18 tracks, the last third of the album features Nelson in fine form, his conversational phrasing and distinctive guitar even jazzier than usual. Though he's plainly the headliner, all of the performers rise to the occasion, to the delight of the responsive hometown crowd. --Don McLeese

Product Description:
On January 9th, 2005, Austin's own country music stars gathered together for a night of legendary compassion to benefit the survivors of the recent devastation in South Asia. Willie, and the others involved in this event hope to turn the tide beyond this concert by offering a DVD and CD of this historic event. PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE DVD AND CD "Songs FOR TSUNAMI RELIEF" WILL BENEFIT THE TSUNAMI RELIEF EFFORTS OF C.A.R.E. AND UNICEF. Performing with Willie on this special night at The Austin Music Hall were Patty Griffin, Natalie Maines, Joe Ely, Alejandro Escovedo featuring John Dee Graham, Spoon, Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison featuring Mickey Raphael.

Songs for Tsunami Relief: Austin to South Asia [Limited Edition] [Live]

Tracks:

Love Be Heard (Patty Griffin)
Mary (Patty Griffin w/Natalie Maines)
All Just To Get To You (Joe Ely)
Boxcars (Joe Ely)
Everybody Loves Me (Alejandro Escovedo)
Break This Time (Alejandro Escovedo)
Mathematical Mind (Spoon)
Everything Hits At Once (Spoon)
What I Deserve (Kelly Willis)
Traveling Soldier (Natalie Maines w/Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis
What Would Willie Do (Bruce Robison)
Living In The Promiseland (Willie Nelson)
Whiskey River (Willie Nelson)
Still Is Still Moving To Me (Willie Nelson)
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain (Willie Nelson)
The Great Divide (Willie Nelson)
Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys (Willie Nelson)
Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground (Willie Nelson w/Patty Griffin)

Amazon.com

When Willie calls, Austin responds. Tragedy brings out the best in this music-minded community, as some of the city's finest artists showed by joining forces with Willie Nelson in a concert to benefit the victims of South Asia's tsunami. With Patty Griffin's "Love Be Heard" and Nelson's rendition of "Living in the Promiseland" setting the idealistic tone, the performances range from the go-for-broke rock of Joe Ely and Alejandro Escovedo to the folkish country of Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis and the arty, indie pop of Spoon. "Travelin' Soldier" provides the best example of the communal spirit of Austin music, as that hit for the Dixie Chicks finds Natalie Maines harmonizing here with the song's composer Robison and his wife Willis. Maines provides vocal support for Griffin on "Mary," and Griffin teams with Nelson on a set-closing duet of "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground." With a generous selection of 18 tracks, the last third of the album features Nelson in fine form, his conversational phrasing and distinctive guitar even jazzier than usual. Though he's plainly the headliner, all of the performers rise to the occasion, to the delight of the responsive hometown crowd. --Don McLeese

Album Description

On January 9th, 2005, Austin's own country music stars gathered together for a night of legendary compassion to benefit the survivors of the recent devastation in South Asia. Willie, and the others involved in this event hope to turn the tide beyond this concert by offering a DVD and CD of this historic event. PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE DVD AND CD "Songs FOR TSUNAMI RELIEF" WILL BENEFIT THE TSUNAMI RELIEF EFFORTS OF C.A.R.E. AND UNICEF. Performing with Willie on this special night at The Austin Music Hall were Patty Griffin, Natalie Maines, Joe Ely, Alejandro Escovedo featuring John Dee Graham, Spoon, Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison featuring Mickey Raphael.

Customer Reviews:

What We Deserve- Willie Delivers.......2005-05-21

Willie Nelson is always ready to assist when there is someone in need. He gives back. When musician Michael Hall called "and when Willie said, `Count me in,' I knew we were off and running." The "Tsunami Relief Austin to South Asia" concert was held at the Austin Music Hall. Patty Griffin, Spoon, Joe Ely, Alejandro Escobedo, Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis and the Geezinslaws were among those who performed.
All the acts donated their talents. Proceeds of ticket sales for the concert at the 3,000-capacity Music Hall went to the American Red Cross, UNICEF and Doctors Without Borders.
As Willie Nelson said "There are a lot of people who would like to do something. We are glad to offer those people opportunities to help out in different ways."

Willie Nelson's Tsunami Relief Concert was recorded and this CD is pure Willie. He asked several of his good friends to play with him in Austin and they came through.

The best of the songs are by Willie. "Living In the Promised Land" sung by Willie is the best- his sweet gravelly voice comes through. He goes on to duet with Patty Griffin in "Angles Flying Too Close To The Ground".

My favorite is the moving tribute, "Traveling Soldiers" sung by Kelly Willis and her husband, Bruce Robison and Natalie Maines.
Kelly Willis sings a solo in "What I Deserve', and she is so apt at bringing out the slow, singular notes of this song. Bruce Robison raps up the best of his with "What Would Willie Say?" Bruce Robison is one of the better country singers and writers and his part of this CD is a real tribute to Willie Nelson. 18 songs on this CD, and none of these disappoint. The real winners are the Tsunami relief victims and the rest of the public who are fortunate to hear this CD. Highly Recommended. prisrob

Excellent Music for an Excellent Cause.......2005-04-25

I was fortunate enough to be at this concert, and it was truly awesome. I've been waiting ever since for the cd and dvd to be released, and I was not disappointed. The album has that vibrant quality only live albums seem to pull off. It's a great mix of the best of the Austin music scene, and generally just a feel good, rocking album. If you're not familiar with some of the artists on this cd, namely the Joe Ely Band, Bruce Robison, Kelly Willis, & Patty Griffith, and Alejandro Escovedo, this a good way to check them out, and help out a good cause.

Music Album:

Music Album