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'the hair is
gone'. - Yep, that's the first thing coming up to my mind, when I see
good old Willie standing up there on stage at the Circus Krone in Munich.
Mind me, his long plaits were something like his brand. But they are
past tense now. And to be honest, this new hairstyle Willie has put on
finally aged 77, does suit him very well indeed. - I guess, I don't have
to say much more about this man. Because after Johnny Cash (bless him)
had passed away a few years ago, Willie Nelson is the last huge still
alive Country legend in the USA and even worldwide.
And when you take a glimpse at Mr. Nelson's touring schedule, then respect, because fairly counted 150 something shows, he's doing alone in the US this year ain't enough, in addition to his european shows. And he still seems fit. But there is still a huge difference between touring back home or over here. and that's the audiance figures - 10 - 50.000 in the States is pretty normal at one show. Whereby here in Munich have gathered just about a 1.000 people, and it's not sold out. But while many other US Countrystars don't even think about coming over here to Europe, as it is not worth it financially, Willie keeps the faith and visits us every now and then presenting us some of his country nostalgica.And all this, although Country Music ain't very big over here, and he wouldn't need to come over as his status is higher then high worldwide. In figures thhis is at least a dozen Grammy awards and many other's like the American Music Award, CMA awards etc.
By the way, Willie is also a well known actor. He starred in many Hollywood movies and TV series. To mention all of them, would be too much for this review. That's why we keeping to this live review here only, where Willie is up there on Stage with his fine, small ensemble, who he calls his family. Indeed it's family matters, as his sister Bobby Nelson,aged 80 is on piano.
Willie himself goes for understatement, by only himself standing in the centerfold and lime light - an old cowboy hat, his very old Martin guitar named Trigger from 1969. You can see, that this instrument has seen many decades. When Willie is not on tour, this guitar is at the Willie Nelson Museum in Nashville , at the spot, where Willie and Johnny Cash once started the Outlaw Movement to escape the commercial imprisonment of the music industrie. And somehow he still sounds a bit like a rebell and outsider, though with more quiet tunes.
The Cowboy hat is history after 2 songs, and he's wearing a red ribbon, only to give it away to a fan after a short while. And this one has not been the only one. Willie doesn't show any superstar status or moods. Even on stage there is only an US flag, apart from the band and their instruments. With his typical nasal voice, he gives his songs this very special note, whereby his wide texas slang swollows some of the words. But that's exactly the clue and another brand of Willie Nelson.
Of course the classic
tunes mustn't be missing: „Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys”,
“You Were Always On My Mind”, “On The Road Again” or “Beer
For My Horses” just to name a few. Oh, and of course many people in
the audiance are dressed in Cowboy hats and boots and they give the
little man standing ovations. At some past shows here in Germany, people
have complained about a missing encore. But let's get it straight.
Beeing 77 years of age, putting down a 2 hours performance and then sign
autographs from the stage for at least 25 minutes - I mean - what more
do you want. |
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