Entertainment
Two helpings of Willie
By Andrew W. Griffin
pop writer
As many of you digest yesterday's Thanksgiving feast, country music legend Willie Nelson will roll into Norman today to perform at Riverwind Casino at 8 p.m.
And 2009 has been a busy year for the icon from Abbott, Texas, who released two albums -- "Naked Willie," a collection of old songs stripped of the fluff and production of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and "American Classic," a recording of pop standards that nearly equals his 1978 release, "Stardust."
On "Naked Willie," the 17 songs on this RCA/Legacy release that came out in March are originals, but you won't find the "syrupy strings" and slickness of the originals. With Willie's voice, guitar and minimal production?humorously "un-produced" by Willie's long-time harmonica player, Mickey Raphael -- beautiful songs like 1967's "The Ghost" or the dusty feeling "Where Do You Stand?" sound fresh and honest.
Fast forward to the Blue Note recording "American Classic" Willie put out this summer. Here songs like "Fly Me To the Moon" avoid schmaltziness because Willie's comfortable and familiar voice help enhance this intimate recording.
A remix of "Always On My Mind" with more jazzy, cocktail lounge feeling is pure Willie. And listeners are bound to enjoy the two duets, "If I Had You" with Diana Krall and "Baby It's Cold Outside" performed with fellow Texan Norah Jones.
Both albums are required for any Willie Nelson fan or fan of top-notch American music and deserve an "A" grade.
Tickets for tonight's show at Riverwind are $73 premium, $78 for VIP and $83 for platinum seating.
For more information, go to www.riverwind.com or call 322-6464.
- Entertainment
-
-
Monthly Celtic nights celebrate culture
“Set dancing is meant to be social,” said Jean Williams, an Edmond resident who makes the trek to Norman once a month for Third Fr
- Firehouse director’s first art show at center opens tonight <p> Firehouse Arts Center Executive Director Douglas Shaw Elder will show his own work in an exhibit at the center for the first time </p>
- Norman musician brings new life to jazz <p> Champian Fulton The breeze and I Gut String Records Champian Fulton (vocals/piano) is one of those kids who old jazz musicians adore.</p>
- SXSW Oklahoma round-up <p> The annual South by Southwest Conference and Festival will take place in Austin starting tonight through March 21.</p>
- Organist to perform concert March 20 <p> The University of Oklahoma School of Music and the American Organ Institute will present Brett Valliant in concert on the Möller O</p>
-
Conan comes to Tulsa with comedy tour
Conan O’Brien will be coming to Tulsa on May 15 for his tour “Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television.
-
Half the price, but worth the role
When Liz Taylor heard that Sophia Loren had been offered a million dollars to co-star in “The Comedians” (1967), she told producers
-
Arts market added to Norman Music Festival
The third annual Norman Music Festival (NMF) has added a new partnership to this year’s festival.
- Films playing at Warren Theatre <p>NEW RELEASES: · Green Zone: As Chief Warrant Office Roy Miller searched the Iraqi desert for Weapons of Mass Destruction, he</p>
- Films playing at Hollywood Spotlight <p>New Releases · Green Zone: As Chief Warrant Office Roy Miller searched the Iraqi desert for Weapons of Mass Destruction, he</p>
- More Entertainment Headlines
-
Monthly Celtic nights celebrate culture
