Booche Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 What a fantastic gig. If I had expectations, they would have been clearly blown out of the water. Billy Bob Thorton's band opened but that was a throwaway set. In fact, I am still confused how they were on the bill considering how differing their music was compared to Ray Price and then Willie. I doubt I will see them again. Ray Price was the 2nd act and let me tell you, that is one 83 year old mutherfugger who can bring it. Old-school country at it's finest. You dont become a legend overnight and you certainly wont remain one unless your music withstands the test of time. Unsurprisingly, I think I knew half of his songs but as covers by other artists. Ray's voice and signing displayed a conviction that is nothing short of inspiring. I loved the 4 violins/fiddles......whatever you want to call them. Then we got hit with Willie and his 'family'. A piano (sister Bobbie Nelson), snare drum (Pete English) , slight percussive instruments (Pete's brother) and the harmonica player everyone knows (Mickey Raphael). This set of chestnets was so good New Rider would have balled his eyes out. I cant even begin to name all the songs but they included the seemingly always opener Whiskey River, Georgie On My Mind, Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain, Crazy-Funny How Time Slips Away-Nightlife medley, Always On My Mind, On The Road Again, Me And Paul, Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground, Mama Dont Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys, choice covers of Jambalaya, Good Hearted Woman (I think that's a cover?), Will The Circle Be Unbroken, All Of Me.......actually I am going to end it there because this is making me dizzy and I am also unsure what he wrote and didnt when I look at that list. Just know that there were a bunch more songs. Willie's style is unmistakingly Willie. You hear that voice and or his cadence and you know it's him. You hear his guitar solos and you know it's him. Hell, you hear his chord voicings and you know it's him. It is the greatest gift one can give music and Willie Nelson has given far more than just that. He's playing at the Civic Center in Ottawa tonight. If you live around that area and dont have a ticket, jaunt on down and see what you can get. Someone might be getting rid of one, heaven forbid! He is in top-notch shape right now. I was utterly shocked at how good last night's show was. And dont you dare miss Ray Price. Ray Price: Ray Price's band: Willie: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 He's playing at the Civic Center in Ottawa tonight. If you live around that area and dont have a ticket, jaunt on down and see what you can get. Someone might be getting rid of one, heaven forbid! He is in top-notch shape right now. I was utterly shocked at how good last night's show was.The Ottawa show is Tuesday night actually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booche Posted April 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 WHOOPS!Sorry folks, thanks AD. Blind assumption on my part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 I got your back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booche Posted April 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Just for that I am no longer going to 2 Cows you. Here are a couple more pics. Stage setup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Cool!Were there lots of old people taking photos? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Great report, Booche. I saw him at the Civic Centre back in 2006, and it was a blast, end to end.Good Hearted Woman (I think that's a cover?)That was one was co-composed by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.Aloha,Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booche Posted April 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Were there lots of old people taking photos? Tons and tons. That was the oldest crowd I have ever been a part of. If only I were seeing The Dead this spring......... Seriously though, Willie played a shitload of songs. Velvet would have loved what Willie described as "one of the new ones" which was apparently written after he had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. It might be called I'm Not Superman. That and another humerous one called You Dont Think I'm Funny Anymore. I am still shocked at how great a guitar he was wielding last night. Total jazz at age 75. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Yeah, when I saw him at the 2006 show (that long ago already) I was blown away by his playing. I had no idea he could do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booche Posted April 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 There was a busker on Ontario Street after the gig singing a tune. The words I heard were "I'm going out to smoke some weed with Willie"He looked like he already had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headymamamyrna Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 What can I say? Andre said it all and yes it was fantastic. I didn't think there was that many old people there! The ones that were there had the most fun!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewRider Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Awesome pictures! I wish I was seeing him this week at Massey Hall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 Willie is a muthafukka on the guitar. Big time. What makes him extra cool is how close you have to listen to know it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reba Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 i think the opening line to the carpal tunnel song was ....'too many pain killers and pot'. did he giggle a little at that line, or smirk? it seemed like he did to me. i loved how clean it was....nothing superfluous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewRider Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 Willie is a muthafukka on the guitar. Big time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 I didn't think there was that many old people there!The ones that were there had the most fun!!! The reason I asked is when I last saw him in Ottawa there was a constant stream of "older fans" making their way to the front of the stage to take photos. And I mean *constant*. I'd never seen anything like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam stone Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 man I should really be going to this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoMack Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 His last trip through really did blow me away. One of the best shows I've seen. Especially Peterborough where we could stand by the bar at the back of the rink - instead of having to sit down like everyone else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now