As a little girl, I grew up listening to my father’s crackling 33′s and 45′s. I remember gazing up at him while he sang every word to those sad ol’ country songs that he loved so much. Though of course, like my father’s collection, no country collection would ever be complete without a set of classic Willie Nelson records. So when I was told that I would have the opportunity to review such a legend of the times, I was ecstatic! I arrived at the Dodge Theatre and waited patiently. Between set changes, I was not surprised to hear that even the All-Time Boxing Champion, Muhammad Ali, was there to pay respect to this outstanding performer. With my cramped seating and anxious tapping heels, the lights dimmed and the spotlight hit. A roar of screams, howls, and whistles filled the theatre as he began to sing “Whiskey River”. As the crowd swayed along, the all-American, red, white and blue lights skated across the stage which portrayed such a beautiful air of patriotism. Playing before me was a man of whom I knew only from my father’s mouth; his presence so powerful, yet peaceful at the same time.

As he strolled through hits such as “Crazy”, “Gravedigger”, and the classic “Funny How Time Slips Away”, his undeniable charm swept over the cheering fans. Then it happened – out came the Willie Nelson trademark bandanna and it was time to get down! He jumped right into, “Beer for my Horses”, and the crowd went nuts! Every person with a tall one had it up in the air, white knuckled. Luckily, my outfit and hair survived through the aggressive pumps of the fists. Coming down from the high, he began to introduce the band, importantly his little sister, Bobbie, the pianist. Man, could that lady bring down the house. Her solo was unbelievable; everyone sat, amazed, as “Roll Out the Barrel” danced off her fingers.

Now, if you are a long-time Willie Nelson fan, you know his partner in crime was always, and ever shall be, Waylon Jennings. Jennings passed away in February of 2002, but Willie made sure his voice could still be heard. As a tribute to his late friend, Nelson preformed “Good Hearted Woman”, which is a song they sang as a duo countless times. He also paid respect to Hank Williams with hits such as, “Jambalaya” (On the Bayou), “Hey Good Lookin’”, and “Move it On Over”. He then he slowed it down with “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and “Help Me Make it Through the Night”; two of my favorite songs. My mind began to rewind back to those childhood days, and for a minute, I was right back on my brown living room carpet, remembering a warm, tender, voice in the background.

Another one of the highlights of  the concert was when he began poking fun at his weed possessions from town to town. The songs, “Me and Paul” and “I Ain’t Superman”, were hilariously written. The crowd was on their feet, I was on my feet, and I am pretty sure Waylon Jennings himself would have participated in the standing ovation as well.

By the end of the show, my hands were red from clapping so hard and my mouth was sore from whistling, but I didn’t care! Willie Nelson’s presence lit up the stage as his guitar solos revved up the hungry fans. He knew exactly what to give us.

As the night wound down, the final song of choice was “I Saw the Light”, written by Hank Williams; every voice chanted and every hand waived, not wanting the once-in-a-lifetime concert to end. As the lights dimmed and the crowd dispersed, you could sense that no one would soon forget such an amazing performance. So now I’ll just pull up a stool, pour a glass of whiskey and wait till I see him “On the Road Again”.

See exclusive photos of their Phoenix performance right here!

Willie Nelson Concert – Dodge Theatre Set List

Whiskey River
Still
Gravedigger
Beer For my Horses
Funny How Time Slips Away
Crazy
Night Life
Me and Paul
If You Got the Money, I Got the Time

Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Good Hearted Woman

Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
Hey Good Lookin’
Move It on Over
Georgia on My Mind
Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys
Angel Flying Too Close Too the Ground
On the Road Again
Always On My Mind

Help Me Make it Through the Night
Pick Up the Tempo
City of New Orleans
All the Girls I’ve Loved Before
Rainy Day Blues
Bloody Mary Morning
I Ain’t Superman
You Don’t Think I’m Funny Anymore
I See the Light

Were you at the show? What did you think?

Photo Source: Alonso Murillo (AZR)

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Countless Westerns have centered around the theme of a young turk coming into town to try to take down a legendary gunslinger. Well, for the past couple of decades, Willie Nelson has turned that imagery on its head, attracting countless younger artists eager to soak up some of his musical mojo and infuse the master’s work with some of their own spirit.

Moment of Forever, matches Willie with Kenny Chesney. The very idea of these seemingly disparate characters coming together is intriguing enough on paper. What really counts, however, is how it works on disc — and work it does, with Chesney’s production bringing out Nelson’s natural warmth and grace.

While he’s written some of the most enduring tunes of the past few decades Nelson has long been considered one of the premiere song interpreters of his time, infusing a surprising array of tunes with his singular personality. This record includes a hushed, poignant version of the Kris Kristofferson-penned title track and a super-heated, album-closing version of Bob Dylan’s “Gotta Serve Somebody.”

The songs that Nelson wrote for Moment of Forever take on many of the same topics addressed in that pair of tracks — taking stock of a life well lived and considering the possibilities of what might lay down the road. On songs like the sweetly twanging “Always Now,” Willie comes across like a man who’s come to terms with most of those issues, coming to the conclusion that “there never was a used to be…it’s always now.”

Other highlights include Willie’s take on Dave Matthews’ “Gravedigger” and tracks like “Worry B Gone” — where Willie trades verses with Chesney The easy vibe carries over to the gently celebratory “I’m Alive” — on which Nelson marvels at life’s simple pleasures.

Tickets available through Live Nation or The Dodge Theater box office.

Show starts at 7:30 P.M.

Check back soon for a review of the Willie Nelson concert and exclusive concert photos!

Photo Source: Lost Highway

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