Category:
Roots

Try if you like:
Blitzen Trapper, Damien Jurado, Jason Molina, Sun Kill Moon, The Cave Singers

•   Reasons To Quit

Back in 1975 Willie Nelson recorded To Lefty From Willie, reinterpreting his favorite Lefty Frizell songs. It ended up a classic. Now Matthew Houk, known to his fans as Phosphorescent, is about to return the favor to Willie. Now I hadn't heard Phosphorescent before this but researching this review I found that his album Pride was quite critically acclaimed.

To Willie takes songs from throughout Nelson's career. The clever thing that Houk has done though is not pick obvious ones. No, he takes out those dusty gems that didn't get the exposure they deserved first time around. To Willie is an album that would be easy to discount. But if given the time you will find the charm in the music and Matthew's cool arrangements. 

The album opens with a Merle Haggard penned track called "Reasons To Quit". It is a good indication of what to expect for the rest of the album. It just gets better. I think my favorite track is "Too Sick To Pray", Matthew throws in his heart into the mix and gets a wonderfully honest version. Another gem is the track "It's Not Supposed To Be That Way" in which Houk has a girl backing him up. He utilizes that I absolutely love Phosphorescent's choice for last song: "The Party's Over". Even the delivery is proof that the album is done. 

To Willie is the sort of album that makes you dig out your Willie Nelson collection if you had one. Or run down to your local used vinyl shop and pick up his vast catalog.