Willie Nelson is arguably one of the most highly acclaimed creative minds of all time. He is known not only for his timeless country music recordings but also for the influence he has had on talented musicians of all different backgrounds ranging from trumpet virtuoso, Wynton Marsalis, to hip hop legend, Snoop Dogg. Equally as impressive is his gigantic discography of more than 150 releases over the last 63 years.
Despite Nelson’s various ventures into different genres, one of his more recent albums, The Border (2024), indicates that his ability to produce emotionally riveting Americana and country music is as strong as ever. The release is ten tracks in total, featuring four of Nelson’s originals and six other songs written by artists including Russell Crow, Bobby Tomberlin and producer Buddy Cannon.
The first track, a Russell Crow original titled “The Border,” offers a dreary contemplation on a topic that has long been a source of contention. Opening with a shuffle in the drums and a rippled strumming pattern in the guitar, the tired, melancholic character of this accompaniment does a phenomenal job of setting up Nelson’s raspy vocal entrances and grim lyrics. The verses depict a US border patrol agent’s daily encounters with corruption and violence, shedding light on the harsh reality for someone in this role. In contrast, the choruses give the listener a moment of solace with memories of Maria, the woman who keeps him anchored.
In some ways, this narrative-oriented song form is reminiscent of the work that Nelson did as part of the Highwaymen during the 1980s. Instead of telling the story of multiple characters, this piece focuses in depth on the emotional turmoil of one protagonist. While this story is definitely not one dimensional, Nelson’s decision to call attention to one side of a highly contentious topic is certainly intriguing. Regardless of the political implications, this track appeals to contemporary listeners while telling a story that holds an authentic, Western charm.
If the opening track is Nelson’s pessimistic reflection on the ways of the modern world, the remainder of the album is his love letter to the past. His original, “Once Upon A Yesterday,” tells the story of a bygone era when,
“We were children working hard at play”
and
“Tomorrow was a world away”
Album art from Willie Nelson’s website
If the lyrics don’t evoke the sweet nostalgia of a summer day from one’s childhood, the music certainly does. Throughout the album, the reverberant crooning of Mickey Raphael’s harmonica and Bobby Terry’s shimmering slide guitar riffs give Nelson’s lyrics a silky, molasses-like texture to float over. Especially in “Once Upon a Yesterday,” the echoey, laid back responses to Nelson’s vocal lines create the impression that the music is coming from a different place and time.
One of the most touching songs is the Buddy Cannon composition, “Hank’s Guitar,” in which Nelson sings from the perspective of Hank Williams Sr.’s guitar on the day that it was gifted to the Country Hall of Fame. Nelson uses this point of view to voice his heartfelt gratitude to one of his biggest inspirations and to reminisce about the golden years of country music.
Yet again, Willie Nelson has lived up to his reputation as a once-in-a-generation talent by putting forth more of the heartwrenching, thought provoking music that he is known for. Although The Border is just one release amidst more than half a decade of work, the stories he tells give us not only a fresh take on his journey as a musician, but also on his personal life. As he approaches 100 years of age, it is truly heartwarming to see a very human side to a person who has been considered a legend by so many.
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