Willie Nelson
Moment of Forever (Lost Highway)
Amiability forms
part of Willie Nelson’s legend, but it hasn’t always served him well
artistically. His willingness to work with just about anybody has
resulted in a few of his finest moments (for example, 1998’s Teatro, produced
by Daniel Lanois and featuring Emmylou Harris), but it has also led to
many of his most profound embarrassments (such as his duet with Julio
Iglesias, “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before”).
Moment of Forever is
somewhere in between, and a portion of the blame for that might be
shifted to neo-Nashville singer and songwriter Kenny Chesney, who
coproduces the album with his producer of choice, Buddy Cannon.
Surely they admire Willie, but they are just as attuned to the market
as they are to Willie’s innate eccentricity.
The songs are less at fault: If the choices aren’t as wide-ranging as those on 2006’s lovely Songbird—produced by
alt-country stalwart Ryan Adams—they do include many opportunities for
Willie’s uniquely phrased interpretive ability. Randy Newman’s
“Louisiana” and Kris Kristofferson’s title track stand among the
album’s highlights.
Willie does seem to be in fine voice, as both singer and songwriter: Age has barely touched his pipes, and “Over You Again” adds another notch to his wide belt of heartbreaking ballads. But Moment of Forever sounds more of the moment than it does of forever.
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