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You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker finds Willie Nelson in comfortably familiar territory, which may come as a bit of a relief for those who found his 2005 reggae album Countryman an unwelcome detour. Indeed, with the possible exception of 2004's It Always Will Be, You Don't Know Me is Willie's purest country album in many a moon, and it's designed that way: it's a tribute to a songwriter who was one of the leading lights in Western swing at its peak. Cindy Walker's name may not be known to anybody outside of aficionados, but many of her songs became standards, including "Bubbles in My Beer," "Take Me in Your Arms," "You Don't Know Me," "Sugar Moon," "Cherokee Maiden," "Miss Molly," and "It's All Your Fault." Many of these tunes were popularized by Bob Wills, the King of Western Swing, whose influence on Nelson was profound -- indeed, he's covered Wills before, including "Bubbles in My Beer," which appeared on Shotgun Willie, and is revived here, along with all the previously mentioned tunes. Willie doesn't fix what wasn't broken -- although some of the slower songs do recall his quieter outlaw ballads, this is an exceptionally faithful record, especially on the up-tempo cuts. Nelson and his band know this material inside out, and it shows in the easy-rolling, relaxed, jazzy playing. It's hardly surprising, but that's what's good about it: after so many half-baked experiments and bad ideas, it's a joy to hear Nelson playing to his strengths. Nevertheless, this is a shade slight. As nice as it is that Willie is shining a spotlight on the underappreciated Cindy Walker, the very casualness of the performances, combined with Nelson's increasingly thin but still strong voice, makes this a little bit less than a major record, but that's fine: it's one that's easy to enjoy, and one of his few records of the 2000s that's worth returning to on occasion.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Brent Maher, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hobbs, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Buzz Cason, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Radney Foster, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Foster, Producer, Executive Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Willie Nelson, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Buddy Emmons, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Johnny Gimble, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - James Robert Wills, ComposerLyricist - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Bayers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Don Potter, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jay Clementi, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Cindy Walker, ComposerLyricist - Charlie McCoy, Keyboards, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Wills, ComposerLyricist - Tommy Duncan, ComposerLyricist - Randy Elmore, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Yingling, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Bellott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin Whinnery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2006 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Brent Maher, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hobbs, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Foster, Producer, Executive Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Willie Nelson, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Buddy Emmons, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Johnny Gimble, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Bayers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - The Jordanaires, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Don Potter, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Cindy Walker, Composer - Charlie McCoy, Keyboards, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Randy Elmore, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Yingling, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Bellott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin Whinnery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2006 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Brent Maher, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hobbs, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Foster, Producer, Executive Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Willie Nelson, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Buddy Emmons, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Johnny Gimble, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Bayers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - CURTIS YOUNG, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Don Potter, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Cindy Walker, Composer - Charlie McCoy, Keyboards, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Randy Elmore, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Yingling, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Liana Mannis, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jason Bellott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin Whinnery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2006 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Brent Maher, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hobbs, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Buzz Cason, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Radney Foster, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Foster, Producer, Executive Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Willie Nelson, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Buddy Emmons, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Johnny Gimble, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Bayers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Don Potter, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jay Clementi, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Cindy Walker, ComposerLyricist - Charlie McCoy, Keyboards, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Wills, ComposerLyricist - Randy Elmore, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Yingling, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Bellott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin Whinnery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2006 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Brent Maher, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hobbs, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Foster, Producer, Executive Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Willie Nelson, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Buddy Emmons, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Johnny Gimble, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Bayers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - The Jordanaires, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Don Potter, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Cindy Walker, ComposerLyricist - Charlie McCoy, Keyboards, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Eddy Arnold, ComposerLyricist - Randy Elmore, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Yingling, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Bellott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin Whinnery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2006 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Brent Maher, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hobbs, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Foster, Producer, Executive Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Willie Nelson, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Buddy Emmons, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Johnny Gimble, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Bayers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Don Potter, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Cindy Walker, ComposerLyricist - Charlie McCoy, Keyboards, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Wills, ComposerLyricist - Randy Elmore, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Yingling, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Bellott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin Whinnery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2006 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Brent Maher, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hobbs, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Foster, Producer, Executive Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Willie Nelson, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Buddy Emmons, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Johnny Gimble, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Bayers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - CURTIS YOUNG, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Don Potter, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Cindy Walker, ComposerLyricist - Charlie McCoy, Keyboards, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Webb Pierce, ComposerLyricist - Randy Elmore, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Yingling, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Liana Mannis, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jason Bellott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin Whinnery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2006 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Brent Maher, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hobbs, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Foster, Producer, Executive Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Willie Nelson, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Buddy Emmons, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Johnny Gimble, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Bayers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Don Potter, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Cindy Walker, ComposerLyricist - Charlie McCoy, Keyboards, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Randy Elmore, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Yingling, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Bellott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin Whinnery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2006 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Brent Maher, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hobbs, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Foster, Producer, Executive Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Willie Nelson, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Buddy Emmons, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Johnny Gimble, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Bayers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Don Potter, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Cindy Walker, ComposerLyricist - Charlie McCoy, Keyboards, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Randy Elmore, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Yingling, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Bellott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin Whinnery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Billy Ray Tarkington, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2006 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Brent Maher, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hobbs, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Buzz Cason, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Radney Foster, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Foster, Producer, Executive Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Willie Nelson, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Buddy Emmons, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Johnny Gimble, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Bayers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Don Potter, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jay Clementi, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Cindy Walker, ComposerLyricist - Charlie McCoy, Keyboards, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Randy Elmore, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Yingling, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Bellott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin Whinnery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2006 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Brent Maher, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hobbs, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Foster, Producer, Executive Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Willie Nelson, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Buddy Emmons, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Johnny Gimble, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Bayers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - The Jordanaires, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Don Potter, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Cindy Walker, Composer - Charlie McCoy, Keyboards, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Randy Elmore, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Yingling, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Bellott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin Whinnery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2006 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Brent Maher, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hobbs, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Foster, Producer, Executive Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Willie Nelson, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Buddy Emmons, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Johnny Gimble, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Bayers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Don Potter, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Cindy Walker, Composer - Charlie McCoy, Keyboards, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Jenai, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Randy Elmore, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Yingling, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Bellott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin Whinnery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2006 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Brent Maher, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hobbs, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Buzz Cason, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Radney Foster, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Foster, Producer, Executive Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Willie Nelson, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Buddy Emmons, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Johnny Gimble, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Don Bowman, ComposerLyricist - Michael Rhodes, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Waylon Jennings, ComposerLyricist - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Bayers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gordon Mote, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Don Potter, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jay Clementi, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie McCoy, Keyboards, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Randy Elmore, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Yingling, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Bellott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin Whinnery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2006 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Album review
You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker finds Willie Nelson in comfortably familiar territory, which may come as a bit of a relief for those who found his 2005 reggae album Countryman an unwelcome detour. Indeed, with the possible exception of 2004's It Always Will Be, You Don't Know Me is Willie's purest country album in many a moon, and it's designed that way: it's a tribute to a songwriter who was one of the leading lights in Western swing at its peak. Cindy Walker's name may not be known to anybody outside of aficionados, but many of her songs became standards, including "Bubbles in My Beer," "Take Me in Your Arms," "You Don't Know Me," "Sugar Moon," "Cherokee Maiden," "Miss Molly," and "It's All Your Fault." Many of these tunes were popularized by Bob Wills, the King of Western Swing, whose influence on Nelson was profound -- indeed, he's covered Wills before, including "Bubbles in My Beer," which appeared on Shotgun Willie, and is revived here, along with all the previously mentioned tunes. Willie doesn't fix what wasn't broken -- although some of the slower songs do recall his quieter outlaw ballads, this is an exceptionally faithful record, especially on the up-tempo cuts. Nelson and his band know this material inside out, and it shows in the easy-rolling, relaxed, jazzy playing. It's hardly surprising, but that's what's good about it: after so many half-baked experiments and bad ideas, it's a joy to hear Nelson playing to his strengths. Nevertheless, this is a shade slight. As nice as it is that Willie is shining a spotlight on the underappreciated Cindy Walker, the very casualness of the performances, combined with Nelson's increasingly thin but still strong voice, makes this a little bit less than a major record, but that's fine: it's one that's easy to enjoy, and one of his few records of the 2000s that's worth returning to on occasion.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:39:04
- Main artists: Willie Nelson
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Lost Highway Rec
- Genre: Blues/Country/Folk Country
© 2006 UMG Recordings, Inc. ℗ 2006 UMG Recordings, Inc.
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