Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel - Willie and the Wheel

  by Daniel Cressey

published: 12 / 8 / 2010

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This doesn't really need a review does it? Just a description should do it: Willie Nelson sings an album of country swing covers backed by the massively award-winning Asleep at the Wheel. Of course, it's great. This is just one classic song after another after another, all with the distinctive Nelson voice on top of the slick backing of the Wheel. Right from the off it's barbershop harmonising, jangling, uptempo instruments, and all the country themes of cheatin', lovin' and blues. (Plus Willie singing about a lovely piece of cake he is not going to share with you. In the hands of some singers this would have been the smuttiest innuendo ever. In his hands you actually just want a piece of his cake.) It is hugely retro, right down to the knowingly old fashioned cover designs and for the songs you know, the versions here are a delight. For the songs you don't they are a joyous surprise. Albums of nothing but covers are often an indulgence by the artists behind them. It is hard to think of one that could really be considered essential listening. But try and listen to 'Willie and the Wheel' and not be happy. This is the sound of a group of talented artists who are just doing what they love and loving doing it. You would be a fool to grudge Nelson this, and an even bigger fool not to give it a listen.

Track Listing:-

1 Hesitation Blues
2 Sweet Jennie Lee
3 Fan It
4 I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None...
5 Oh! You Pretty Woman
6 Bring It on Down to My House
7 Right or Wrong
8 Corrine Corrina
9 I'm Sittin' on Top of the World
10 Shame on You
11 South
12 Won't You Ride in My Little Red Wagon

Label Links:-

http://www.proper-records.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/ProperRecords
https://twitter.com/ProperRecords
https://www.youtube.com/user/propertv
http://www.properdistribution.com/
http://instagram.com/properblog

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