Tag: Leon Russell

That Time Willie Nelson Got a Little Emotional Singing with Leon Russell and Ray Charles

In 2003, viewers saw the emotion on Willie Nelson’s face as he performed with his friend Ray Charles for the last time.

In 2003, a number of great performers gathered for Willie Nelson’s 70th birthday concert. One unforgettable moment from that concert celebration occurred when Nelson took the stage to sing “A Song For You” with Leon Russell and Ray Charles.

The performance at New York’s Beacon Theatre, is memorable for a number of reasons. Of course, it is a great teaming of the three friends singing Russell’s classic song and they all do great. But it is the emotional impact of the performance that shines through the most, as you watch Willie Nelson’s face near tears for much of the song.

Nathaniel Rateliff, on the One By Willie podcast, recently reported that Willie’s sadness was because he knew Ray Charles was very ill. In fact, the performance would the be last with the two old friends. Willie was reportedly very close to Ray Charles, as well as to Leon Russell, so it is a touching performance among the three men.

I love you in a place
Where there’s no space or time;
I love you for my life,
You’re a friend of mine;
And when my life is over,
Remember when we were together;
We were alone,
And I was singing this song to you.

After Russell and Nelson take turns at the beginning, they turn over the song to the great Ray Charles. Check it out, and have some tissues handy.

The performance, as well as other songs from the concert, appear on Nelson’s album, Live and Kickin‘.

Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Patty Griffin: “River”

    Patty Griffin has released a new song, “River,” from her upcoming self-titled album. The new album is inspired by Griffin’s successful battle with breast cancer, and the single compares a woman’s strength to that of a river.

    Takes an army just to bend her;
    Be careful where you stand her;
    You can’t hold her back for long;
    The river is just too strong;
    She’s a river.

    “River” is a beautiful song about resilience and comparing the woman’s strength to the “ever-changing” nature of a river that “doesn’t need a diamond to shine.” Check it out.

    According to Rolling Stone, Griffin’s inspiration for “River” comes from Leon Russell’s classic “A Song for You,” recorded by Donny Hathaway. Other artists like Ray Charles, The Carpenters, and Michael Buble have recorded it too.

    Listen to Hathaway’s version of that song below.

    Patty Griffin will be released on March 8, 2019, and Griffin will be touring to support the new album, her first since 2015’s
    Servant of Love.

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    The Groundbreaking Rock and Roll Movie, “The T.A.M.I. Show”

    TAMI Show

    On December 31, 1964, American International Pictures released The T.A.M.I. Show in theaters as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.” This early rock concert film gave rock and roll fans a snapshot of some of the biggest bands of the time and was groundbreaking.

    “T.A.M.I.” stands for “Teenage Awards Music International,” although some promotional materials also used “Teen Age Music International.” But the important part of The T.A.M.I. Show is the music, filmed from the standpoint of the audience.  The technique made viewers feel like they were at the show recorded at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on October 28 and 29, 1964.

    Below is the trailer for the film.

    The general consensus is that James Brown gives his greatest filmed performance here, an outstanding display of passion and performing experience that made the Rolling Stones regret they had to follow him. But there are other highlights throughout the concert, including the 18-year-old Lesley Gore and a surprisingly loose performance by The Beach Boys.

    Although producer Bill Sargent lost the rights to the film and it disappeared for decades, it is now available for your viewing on DVD (with extras) and with various performances on YouTube.  Below, James Brown performs “Please, Please, Please.”

    Performers include Jan and Dean (over the credits), Chuck Berry, Gerry & the Pacemakers, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Lesley Gore, The Beach Boys, Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas, The Supremes, The Barbarians, James Brown and The Famous Flames, and The Rolling Stones.

    Artists are still making great music today, but it is hard to imagine people agreeing on so many great performers in one film now. So, travel back to another time, and check out the Rolling Stones closing the show, joined by others on the stage.

    Some trivia tidbits: The opening credits list The Blossoms with the performers, but they are not introduced when they appear as the backing singers for Marvin Gaye (or when later they appear to encourage James Brown to return to the stage). The Blossoms were used to not getting credit, having recorded the 1962 hit “He’s a Rebel” without credit.

    Also, future actress Teri Garr and future recording star Toni Basil appear as background dancers in the film, and singer Glen Campbell and musician Leon Russell played in the show’s backing band, The Wrecking Crew. Reportedly, filmmaker John Landis and future Partridge Family star David Cassidy, who were seventh grade classmates at the time, were in the audience for the show.

    What are your favorite parts of The T.A.M.I. Show? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Billy Joe Shaver Knows It Is “Hard to Be an Outlaw”

    Long in the Tooth

    Billy Joe Shaver will release his first studio album in six years on August 5, Long in the Tooth. The album, to be released on Lightning Rod Records, features the 74-year-old Shaver performing a duet with Willie Nelson on “Hard to Be an Outlaw.” Other folks appearing on what Shaver claims is his best album ever includes Leon Russell, Tony Joe White, Joel Guzman, Shawn Camp, and Jedd Hughes. Shaver promises the new album will also include a rap song.

    Regarding the duet with Nelson, Shaver explained to Rolling Stone that he and Nelson bounced ideas back and forth over the telephone. Nelson included his solo effort on “Hard to Be an Outlaw” on his own new album Band of Brothers (2014), but below you can check out the Shaver-Nelson version of “Hard to Be an Outlaw,” which, not surprisingly, takes the side of Outlaw country music.


    Album cover photo via Shaver’s Facebook page. What do you think of “Hard to Be an Outlaw”? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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