The Missing Concert

Mrs THC and I had tickets tonight to see the Outlaw Tour with Sierra Hull, Billy Strings, Bob Dylan, and 92-year old Willie Nelson.  Unfortunately, I've got a bit of a condition that makes us unable to attend but the THC Daughter and friend will use our tickets.

In lieu of that, here's a mini-concert I put together.

Boom by Sierra Hull from her new album, A Tip Toe High Wire. 

Two from the Billy Strings album, Highway Prayers, released last fall, and hitting #1 on the charts (or whatever they call it nowadays).  An instrumental, Escanaba, named after a town on Michigan's Upper Peninsula that the Mrs and I passed through a few years ago, and Gild the Lily.

 

 

A couple from Dylan.  My Own Version of You from 2020's Rough and Rowdy Ways.  Dylan's voice is shot but that he could produce an album with such amazing lyrics, nearly 60 years after his first recording, is remarkable.  And Mississippi from 201's Love and Theft.

Finally, from Willie, an unusual choice.  This is Willie performing a Brian Wilson song, The Warmth of the Sun, with the Beach Boys harmonizing behind him.  Willie has an immediately recognizable voice.

Pancho And Lefty

All the Federales say

They could have had him any day

They only let him slip away

Out of kindness, I suppose

From Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson.   Number one on the country charts in 1983.  Written by Townes van Zandt, who appears in the video as one of the Federales.

One of Dylan's selections in The Philosophy of Modern Song.

 

Under Pressure

Never cared for the 1981 original by Queen, featuring Freddie Mercury and David Bowie.  This version by Karen O and 88 year old Willie Nelson is great.  For the first time I really understand and get what this song is about.  Very moving.

The Warmth Of The Sun

Having just returned from southern California this is particularly appropriate.  THC stumbled upon this gem while searching for something else on YouTube.  Released by The Beach Boys in 1964, written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love and arranged by Wilson, this version features Willie Nelson backed up by The Beach Boys.  Recorded sometime in the 1990s.

The song has a lovely melody, lush harmonies and an unusual chord structure for its time.  Then you add Willie Nelson's distinctive voice which is beautifully unbeautiful and so effective in evoking the aching longing of the lyrics and the result is something special.You can find the original Beach Boys recording here.

Watching the video and realizing that Brian Wilson turns 73 this year, THC remembers his well-publicized problems in the late 1960s and 1970s and is surprised he's still around, outliving his brothers Dennis (d. 1983) and Carl (d. 1998).