You know you've done something right when Ray Charles,
Lyle Lovett, Elvis Costello, Norah Jones, and Sheryl Crow help
you celebrate your 70th birthday. That's just a sampling of the mega-musician lineup at
Willie Nelson's April 9 hootenanny for
the USA Network, which premieres
on Memorial Day. It remains to be seen how the event will translate
as a two-hour broadcast; sitting through the four-plus-hour concert under
hot TV lights things were a bit uncomfortable. But there were enough magic
moments to make the second takes and protracted set-ups all worthwhile.
It seemed like every time things threatened to get too tedious, we received
an introduction like this: "Ladies and gentlemen, William Jefferson
Clinton!" Robert DeNiro (who totally flubbed his scripted lines) is one
thing, but Bill Clinton is as bold-faced as celebrity gets. And it generated a great moment. When a few "rude
Republicans" (Clinton's words) greeted the ex-pres with boos, the star of the show
quickly revealed his allegiances, quipping, "Was that you with me on
the roof?" The joke referred to Willie's legendary pot-smoking session on the White
House roof back in the '70s.
Being there to celebrate the life and work of one
of America's greatest artists kept everyone's egos in check, which made for
some amazing performances. Early in the show, Sheryl Crow and Kris
Kristofferson duetted on the Kris' "Me and Bobby McGee."
Some folks grumbled that Kristofferson was out of tune, but
I guess I was too busy marveling at how damn handsome he still is.
Willie, Leon Russell, and Ray Charles united for an absolutely
heart-stopping take of Russell's "A Song For You." Then they were asked
to repeat it due to a technical glitch. Not surprisingly,
the second spin lacked the passion of the first. The pairing of Willie
and Paul Simon on "Homeward Bound" was restrained but beautiful. As they were harmonizing I glimpsed a
guy holding up his cell phone to share the song with
a pal who also may have been far from home.
Norah Jones was lovely, with obvious affection for
Willie, and a wistfulness so complimentary to Nelson's own delivery that a
Stardust II duet album doesn't seem out of the question. The crossover
country star Shelby Lynne put her soulful spin on two of Willie's finest
songs, "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" and "Funny How Time Slips
Away." The latter found her sharing the stage with Lyle Lovett.
Nelson's hook-up with Eric Clapton - they were united for a bluesy turn on "Night Life" - was one of the evening's
most natural and affecting performances. One of the night's other high points was "Crazy." Elvis Costello and his new ladylove
Diana Krall helped Willie take the song to stunning heights.
And there was more: Shania Twain, ZZ Top, Steven Tyler, Wyclef Jean. The
celebs were out in full force. So it must have been that much more rewarding
to "The Family," Willie's longtime backing band, when they were met with rousing hoots and
hollers. The group settled in for their signature tune "Whiskey River" as the
hour approached 1 a.m. Soon a guitar-shaped birthday cake was brought onstage, and
the celebration ended with an all-star jam of "On The Road Again." After
shaking hands and signing autographs for a crowd that included yours truly
(it's hanging on the fridge), Willie got ready to get back on the
Honeysuckle Rose III, where he will celebrate his actual birthday, April
30th, on the road.
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