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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
At first I was dissappointed to discover this was the new Phosphorescent album, becauase I've never really been a Willie Nelson fan, but I love Matthew Houck's compositions on other Phosphorescent albums. But he has certainly put his stamp on these versions, despite it being a little too country for me. Can I Sleep In Your Arms is pure Phosphorscent, and is brilliant for it, while Permanently Lonely is ethereal and haunting.
Format:Audio CD
Like Mark Kozelek from Sun Kil Moon, Matthew Houck the guiding light of the alt country wonders Phosphorescent can write a mean tune or two (see the review of their latest "Here's to taking it easy") but he also happens to be one of the great cover artists and interpreters of modern times. This album which is both a tribute and reinterpretation of the songs of the veteran outlaw Willie Nelson confirms that Houck doesn't just understand the basic tenets of country music he could write the book. The fact in addition that he digs deeper into the repertoire of Nelson and resists the obvious covers (no "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain", On the road again or Always on my mind) and instead stresses the "outlaw" themes of drink, drunkenness, despair, downtime and dread make "To Willie" all the more special, and both a fantastic homage and a original contribution to the great canon of alt country.
The highlights arrive faster that than Usain Bolt in the Olympic stadium. Starting with "Reasons to Quit" a sad paean to the hopelessness of the demon drink but also the perils of life without it does set the tone. Thus we have those tender lost hope ballads that Nelson's fragile voice seem made for and which Houck doesn't just make his own, in some cases he betters them. Listen to the lovely and sad lament "Permanently Lonely" and try not to be moved, equally the heartache of the break up Tex Mex ballad "It's Not Supposed to Be That Way". Unsurprisingly "I gotta get drunk" picks the pace up and ends with the hilarious observation that -
"There's a lot of doctors tell me
That I'd better start slowing it down
But there's more old drunks than there are old doctors
So I guess we'd better have ourselves another round"
Yes its that kind of album, the world is a mess, the job is hell, your broke but there is always a bar and a bad woman! That said all this comes at a cost and ultimately there is a price to pay with "To sick to pray" charting with a glorious sadness the fate of a man staring into the doors of the next life. "To Willie" is weather beaten country of the heartbreak variety but with some great times along the way. It confirms that Houck is another great singer in this wonderful linage and when old Willie does depart his legacy is in very safe hands.
The highlights arrive faster that than Usain Bolt in the Olympic stadium. Starting with "Reasons to Quit" a sad paean to the hopelessness of the demon drink but also the perils of life without it does set the tone. Thus we have those tender lost hope ballads that Nelson's fragile voice seem made for and which Houck doesn't just make his own, in some cases he betters them. Listen to the lovely and sad lament "Permanently Lonely" and try not to be moved, equally the heartache of the break up Tex Mex ballad "It's Not Supposed to Be That Way". Unsurprisingly "I gotta get drunk" picks the pace up and ends with the hilarious observation that -
"There's a lot of doctors tell me
That I'd better start slowing it down
But there's more old drunks than there are old doctors
So I guess we'd better have ourselves another round"
Yes its that kind of album, the world is a mess, the job is hell, your broke but there is always a bar and a bad woman! That said all this comes at a cost and ultimately there is a price to pay with "To sick to pray" charting with a glorious sadness the fate of a man staring into the doors of the next life. "To Willie" is weather beaten country of the heartbreak variety but with some great times along the way. It confirms that Houck is another great singer in this wonderful linage and when old Willie does depart his legacy is in very safe hands.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Phosphor-EXCELLENT!!!!!
29 Jun 2009
Format:Audio CD
This is one of the most magnificent albums to behold. A true gift for Willie done by some of the most talented musicians around.....They have not only captured the essence of Nelson's music but have done so by adding the flavor of their own genius sound............Phosphorescent...I commend you....."To Willie" is a true mark of your unfounded talent.....congtats!!!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
solid all the way through
20 April 2009
Format:Audio CD
Though I wasn't entirely sure of what to expect from a tribute album from Phosphorescent, whose original songs I can't get enough of, I would say that "To Willie" definitely doesn't disappoint. Matthew Houck's sleepy voice lends itself nicely to Willie's often melancholy lyrics, and the arrangements are textural and interesting in an almost effortless, breezy way. On this album, the songs stay true to their original, honest nature, while scintillating with the spaciousness and depth that I love so much about Phosphorescent's style. All in all, a really great listen!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Phosphorescent - Pays homage to Willie Nelson,
3 Oct 2010
Format:Audio CD
Like Mark Kozelek from Sun Kil Moon, Matthew Houck the guiding light of the alt country wonders Phosphorescent can write a mean tune or two (see the review of their latest "Here's to taking it easy") but he also happens to be one of the great cover artists and interpreters of modern times. This album which is both a tribute and reinterpretation of the songs of the veteran outlaw Willie Nelson confirms that Houck doesn't just understand the basic tenets of country music he could write the book. The fact in addition that he digs deeper into the repertoire of Nelson and resists the obvious covers (no "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain", On the road again or Always on my mind) and instead stresses the "outlaw" themes of drink, drunkenness, despair, downtime and dread make "To Willie" all the more special, and both a fantastic homage and a original contribution to the great canon of alt country.
The highlights arrive faster that Usain Bolt in the Olympic stadium. Starting with "Reasons to Quit" a sad paean to the hopelessness of the demon drink but also the perils of life without it does set the tone. Thus we have those tender lost hope ballads that Nelson's fragile voice seem made for and which Houck doesn't just make his own, in some cases he betters them. Listen to the lovely and sad lament "Permanently Lonely" and try not to be moved, equally the heartache of the break up Tex Mex ballad "It's Not Supposed to Be That Way". Unsurprisingly "I gotta get drunk" picks the pace up and ends with the hilarious observation that -
"There's a lot of doctors tell me
That I'd better start slowing it down
But there's more old drunks than there are old doctors
So I guess we'd better have ourselves another round"
Yes its that kind of album, the world is a mess, the job is hell, your broke but there is always a bar and a bad woman! That said all this comes at a cost and ultimately there is a price to pay with "To sick to pray" charting with a glorious sadness the fate of a man staring into the doors of the next life. "To Willie" is weather beaten country of the heartbreak variety but with some great times along the way. It confirms that Houck is another great singer in this wonderful linage and when old Willie does depart this mortal coil his legacy is in very safe hands.
The highlights arrive faster that Usain Bolt in the Olympic stadium. Starting with "Reasons to Quit" a sad paean to the hopelessness of the demon drink but also the perils of life without it does set the tone. Thus we have those tender lost hope ballads that Nelson's fragile voice seem made for and which Houck doesn't just make his own, in some cases he betters them. Listen to the lovely and sad lament "Permanently Lonely" and try not to be moved, equally the heartache of the break up Tex Mex ballad "It's Not Supposed to Be That Way". Unsurprisingly "I gotta get drunk" picks the pace up and ends with the hilarious observation that -
"There's a lot of doctors tell me
That I'd better start slowing it down
But there's more old drunks than there are old doctors
So I guess we'd better have ourselves another round"
Yes its that kind of album, the world is a mess, the job is hell, your broke but there is always a bar and a bad woman! That said all this comes at a cost and ultimately there is a price to pay with "To sick to pray" charting with a glorious sadness the fate of a man staring into the doors of the next life. "To Willie" is weather beaten country of the heartbreak variety but with some great times along the way. It confirms that Houck is another great singer in this wonderful linage and when old Willie does depart this mortal coil his legacy is in very safe hands.
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