Willie and Family Live [Live]

Amazon.com
Willie Nelson has always enjoyed playing the casino circuit and this two-CD set catches him and his ever-touring entourage at a 1978 Lake Tahoe stopover. Nelson's live shows tend to have more in common with jam-rock-styled events than country-styled concerts--meaning that they are drawn-out experiences with peaks and valleys as opposed to tightly focused, song-oriented sets. Thus, those whose ears are expecting the latter might find the endless jamming tedious and the vocal performances erratic. That, however, is their problem. This collection captures the excitement, variety, enthusiasm, and spontaneity of a Nelson show as it rolls through his own classics plus the standards, country traditionals, and spirituals that comprise his unerring American aesthetic. --Marc Greilsamer

Willie and Family Live,Willie Nelson,Sony,Country,Country & Western,Outlaw Country,Pop,Progressive Country,Traditional Country

Average customer rating: ESSENTIAL Willie Simply One of The Best If you like Country... +1/2 -- Country jam band caught live in 1978 ****1/2. Classic Willie

Willie and Family Live Willie Nelson Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Honeysuckle Rose Shotgun Willie Red Headed Stranger Stardust The Troublemaker ASIN: B00009VU2E Release Date: 2003-06-24

Tracks:

1. Whiskey River
2. Stay A Little Longer
3. Funny How Time Slips Away
4. Crazy
5. Night Life
6. If You've Got The Money I've Got The Time
7. Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
8. I Can Get Off On You
9. If You Could Touch Her At All
10. Good Hearted Woman
11. Red Headed Stranger Medley - Time Of The Preacher/I Couldn't Believe It Was True/Blue Rock Montana/Red Headed Stranger/Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain/Red Headed Stranger/Just As I Am
12. Under The Double Eagle

Tracks:

1. Till I Gain Control Again
2. Bloody Mary Morning
3. I'm A Memory
4. Mr. Record Man
5. Hello Walls
6. One Day At A Time
7. Will The Circle Be Unbroken
8. Amazing Grace
9. Take This Job And Shove It
10. Uncloudy Day
11. The Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line
12. A Song For You
13. Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms
14. Georgia On My Mind
15. I Gotta Get Drunk
16. Whiskey River
17. The Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line
18. Till I Gain Control Again
19. Georgia On My Mind

Amazon.com

Willie Nelson has always enjoyed playing the casino circuit and this two-CD set catches him and his ever-touring entourage at a 1978 Lake Tahoe stopover. Nelson's live shows tend to have more in common with jam-rock-styled events than country-styled concerts--meaning that they are drawn-out experiences with peaks and valleys as opposed to tightly focused, song-oriented sets. Thus, those whose ears are expecting the latter might find the endless jamming a bit tedious and the vocal performances erratic. That, however, is their problem. This collection superbly captures the excitement, variety, enthusiasm, and spontaneity of a Nelson show as it rolls through Willie's own classics plus all the country chestnuts, standards, and spirituals that comprise his unerring American aesthetic. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

ESSENTIAL Willie.......2007-03-04

This double live album, along with 'Red Headed Stranger' and 'Tougher Than Leather' are must-have Willie Nelson works. This recording really catches Willie, his band, and the rest of the "family" at their peak in 1978.

In the mid-to late 70s, a live recording was, seemingly, a necessity for prominent(and not so prominent) artists. I call it the "Frampton Factor". Regardless, the quality of the vast majority of the stuff released during this era was quite dismal. This album is the exception.

Want hits? You got 'em here. Want guest stars? Emmylou Harris and the late Johnny Paycheck appear. But the real strength is Willie and Family, on the road again, doing what they were born to do--perform these wonderful songs in a live setting. These are the songs that made Willie who he is today. At his peak, in my humble opinion. Many of the song versions that appear here are superior to their original, studio recordings. My two cents, folks. Buy this thing. It don't get any better than this...

Simply One of The Best.......2006-06-12

What I have found in many cases on Amazon is that people giving reviews are usually people who love the group/person and just fawn and gush about the recording, which is not at all helpful. I am going to rave about this because it is simply one of the best double CDs of all time. I like a huge array of music, if it is good, I like it, so I am not beholden to one style or artist. Willie Nelson is truly one of the gems of American music, as a songwriter and a performer, and this CD captures that very well. Incredible musicians back him up, and Willie can play and pick the guitar as good as anyone. He also has been willing throughout his career to do different styles, to explore new music types and to smash the frame people want him to be in. I don't like everything he has done, but of the thousands of CDs I have, this is easily in the Top 10, plus as a kicker, he signed it in 1999. Buy it.

If you like Country..........2005-10-25

...just buy this CD. Don't think about it. Don't debate about it. Just buy it. Put it in your cd changer or your iPod and it will stay there forever. Every song is a knockout! This is our Daytona 500 go to cd every single year...I'm surprised I haven't worn mine out!

+1/2 -- Country jam band caught live in 1978.......2005-09-22

This 1978 set captures Nelson and his seven-piece band live at Harrah's casino showroom in Lake Tahoe, California. Those expecting a concise recitation of Nelson's songs - a typical country music show - will be in for something of a shock. In addition to reworking his early hits away from the straightjacket of their original Nashville arrangements, Nelson clearly looks at all of his songs as launching points for a live show, rather than sacrosanct icons.

His touring band includes a potent double-double rhythm section, with two drummers and two bassists, his sister Bobbie on piano (whose saloon style playing on "If You've Got the Money" and "Under the Double Eagle" is especially fine), Mickey Raphael on harmonica and Jody Payne on guitar; all in addition to his own nylon-string picking. Nelson leads the band through his rich catalog of material, ranging from early tunes like "Crazy" and "Hello Walls" and a medley from his then-latest triumph "Red Headed Stranger."

The show feels like an extended jam, with Nelson segueing his songs together, with the band following along as he typically rushes and lags the beat. This 25th anniversary reissue (which also celebrated Nelson's 70th birthday) adds a pair of tracks to the original twenty-nine, alternate versions of "Till I Gain Control Again" and "George on My Mind." These aren't definitive versions of Nelson's catalog of gems, but they paint a vivid portrait of the artist as a performer. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2005 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

****1/2. Classic Willie.......2005-05-29

Excellent, warm sound on this expanded 2003 CD reissue of Willie Nelson's April, 1978 concert recording from Harrah's at Lake Tahoe, New York.
It adds two bonus tracks, both of them from the same show, bringing the already lengthy track list up to a whopping 31 numbers, and Willie Nelson is in firm control all along.

Disc one opens with a gritty "Whiskey River", which features some great, ragged harmonica playing by Mickey Raphael.
Other highlights include Nelson's own self-penned classics "Crazy" and "I Can Get Off On You", the inevitable "Mammas [sic] Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys", and a wonderful "Red Headed Stranger"-medley which includes "The Time Of The Preacher", "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain", and one of Willie Nelson's wonderful acoustic guitar solos. And sister Bobbie Nelson plays some inspired piano here and there, too, like the brief but memorable solo on "If You've Got The Money I've Got The Time".

Disc two features two different renditions of the beautiful "'Till I Gain Control Again", "Bloody Mary Morning", "Hello Walls", a tounge-in-cheek "I Gotta Get Drunk", and an up-tempo performance of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken", among other highlights. Nelson's highly personal reading of "Amazing Grace" is equally memorable, as is his take on "Georgia On My Mind".
The redheaded stranger's instantly recognizable vocals are strong and confident all the way through, and his late-70s backing band was among the best in the business at the time. This is a must-have for fans of Willie Nelson.

Average customer rating: Willie reigns as King BUY THIS ALBUM BUY THIS ALBUM Willie and Family Live Is Indispensable essential for a true Willie fan

Willie and Family Live Willie Nelson Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Red Headed Stranger ASIN: B0000025EP Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Whiskey River
2. Stay A Little Longer
3. Funny How Time Slips Away
4. Crazy
5. Night Life
6. If You've Got The Money I've Got The Time
7. Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
8. I Can Get Off On You
9. If You Could Touch Her At All
10. Good Hearted Woman
11. Red Headed Stranger Medley: Time Of The Preacher/I Couldn't Believe It Was True/Blue Rock Montana...
12. Under The Double Eagle

Tracks:

1. Till I Gain Control Again
2. Bloody Mary Morning
3. I'm A Memory
4. Mr. Record Man
5. Hello Walls
6. One Day At A Time
7. Will The Circle Be Unbroken
8. Amazing Grace
9. Take This Job And Shove It
10. Uncloudy Day
11. The Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line
12. A Song For You
13. Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms
14. Georgia On My Mind
15. I Gotta Get Drunk
16. Whiskey River
17. The Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line

Amazon.com

Willie Nelson has always enjoyed playing the casino circuit and this two-CD set catches him and his ever-touring entourage at a 1978 Lake Tahoe stopover. Nelson's live shows tend to have more in common with jam-rock-styled events than country-styled concerts--meaning that they are drawn-out experiences with peaks and valleys as opposed to tightly focused, song-oriented sets. Thus, those whose ears are expecting the latter might find the endless jamming tedious and the vocal performances erratic. That, however, is their problem. This collection captures the excitement, variety, enthusiasm, and spontaneity of a Nelson show as it rolls through his own classics plus the standards, country traditionals, and spirituals that comprise his unerring American aesthetic. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Willie reigns as King.......2004-10-12

If you'd like to experience the essence of Willie you must.. MUST.. listen to this album! It is, without hesitation, my favorite all-time 'live' album by any artist, and certainly my most loved Willie album.
Truly a gem.

BUY THIS ALBUM.......2001-12-21

This album was my first official introduction to Willie and I have to say I was blown away. I was expecting country music, but I would call this more like rockabilly. There are crazy jams, amazing vocals, emotional ballads, everything. I can listen to this album again and again and never get tired. Its also great road trip music. The hardest thing is going to be trying to figure out which Willie album to going to buy next. After hearing this one, I'm afraid none of the others will match it.

My favorite line from the album:
"Cowboys like smokey old pool rooms and clear mountain mornin's..."
From: Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys

Its not the lyrics, its the way he sings it, I feel like waking up in the morning camping on the top of a mountain.

Anyway, to recap, if you like Willie Nelson, or want to see if you like him, buy this album!

BUY THIS ALBUM.......2001-12-21

This album was my first official introduction to Willie and I have to say I was blown away. I was expecting country music, but I would call this more like rockabilly. There are crazy jams, amazing vocals, emotional ballads, everything. I can listen to this album again and again and never get tired. Its also great road trip music. The hardest thing is going to be trying to figure out which Willie album to going to buy next. After hearing this one, I'm afraid none of the others will match it.

My favorite line from the album:
"Cowboys like smokey old pool rooms and clear mountain mornin's..."
From: Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys

Its not the lyrics, its the way he sings it, I feel like waking up in the morning camping on the top of a mountain.

Anyway, to recap, if you like Willie Nelson, or want to see if you like him, buy this album!

Willie and Family Live Is Indispensable.......2000-09-25

Twenty-two years after this live album was recorded, it holds up--not just reasonably, in every way. In fact, a Willie Nelson show today includes much of the material that he did in live shows twenty-two years ago. Yes, a lot of it is ritual, but outstanding ritual.

One special note about the album: this was when Willie's band had two drummers and two bass players. He doesn't tour with this today, but for the real Willie Nelson fans, it was a time when Willie had more of a looser "redneck rock" sound.

essential for a true Willie fan.......2000-01-11

The only way to hear Willie is LIVE. This album runs the gamut. It includes his famous ballads as well as his high-octane, guitar picking music for which he is famous. It also features duets with Johnnie Paycheck and Emmy Lou Harris. This is one Nelson album every country fan needs!

Music Album:

1. Woman in Me [Enhanced] [Import]
2. 1000 Nadelstiche V.2 [Import]
3. 12 Hits: Five Star Collection
4. 18 Old-Time Country Favorites
5. 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Kenny Rogers [Original recording remastered]
6. 50 Years of Dueling Banjos
7. A Proper Introduction to Webb Pierce: Groovie Boogie Woogie Boy
8. All of Me Live...in Concert [Live]
9. America, I Believe In You
10. American Jukebox Country Classics, Vol. 5: Country Heartaches

Music Album