Willie Nelson Stars Guitars

Pioneer of the anti-establishment outlaw image, who wrote hundreds of songs and became a spectacular country showman.

Willie Nelson's career as a legendary country musician, political activist and humanitarian has made him an American icon. In 2002, a variety of musical acts paid tribute to Willie during the Willie Nelson & Friends: Stars & Guitars concert, recorded in the capital of country music, Nashville, Tennessee.Last year, a star-studded lineup came out to New York City to celebrate Willie's 70th birthday during the Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin' concert.Now, for the third consecutive year in May 2004, the stars came out again.

Willie Nelson has been a prolific singer and recording artist since the 1970s, but the songwriter who penned hits for Ray Price, Patsy Cline, Billy Walker, and Johnny Cash, among others, hasn't issued an album of predominantly original material since 1996. Band of Brothers ends the drought. Its 14 selections include nine new songs by Nelson (with producer Buddy Cannon) and a handful of fine covers. Opener "Bring It On" is a honky tonk waltz that offers wisdom by someone who has lived through plenty as he looks eternity squarely in the eye. He is in excellent voice as Mickey Raphael's harmonica moans to underscore his lyric. Nelson delivers his first guitar solo on Trigger (his nylon-stringed instrument). His playing, with its unique phrasing, has always been underrated and here it evokes the blues. His love songs have always been highlights in his catalog. "I Thought I Left You" is in 4/4, with a slow processional pace adorned with slippery steel and piano. The lost romance portrayed in the waltz "Send Me a Picture" is another clear standout; a sighing pedal steel and Raphael's mid-register wail echo every sung line.