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Willie
Nelson- Milk Cow Blues
September 19, 2000
Original Release Date: 2000
1. Milk Cow Blues (Featuring Francine
Reed) 
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2. Outskirts Of Town (Featuring Keb' Mo)
3. Black Night (Featuring Dr. John)
4. Funny How Time Slips Away (Featuring Francine Reed)
5. Rainy Day Blues (Featuring Jonny Lang)
6. Crazy (Featuring Susan Tedeschi)
7. The Thrill Is Gone (Featuring B.B. King)
8. Wake Me When It's Over
9. Kansas City (Featuring Susan Tedeschi)
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10. Fool's Paradise (Featuring Dr. John)
11. Ain't Nobody's Business (Featuring Jonny Lang)
12. Night Life (Featuring B.B. King)
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13. Sittin' On Top Of The World
14. Lonely Street
15. Texas Flood (Featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd)
Review
It's
about time our country legend delivers us the blues.
We all remember Willie's expertise when he sang "Good
Old Shoe Blues" in the film "Wag The Dog"
and we wanted him to sing the blues after that. Unfortunately,
that beautiful blues tune was never recorded on CD.
What a shame! But Willie realizes our thirst, and finally,
an all-blues attempt and semi-duet album was born, albeit
its lack of surprises. Don't get me wrong - Willie has
done his homework in each tune. He has also invited
young talents (some of whom I abhor) to play and sing
on some tracks. The result is a two-way street. For
some reason, Jonny Lang is having a bad day during his
sessions. He sounds like shit. (For a more subtle and
pretty version of "Rainy Day Blues," get Tab
Benoit's version with Willie Nelson on his Standing
On The Bank.) Keb' Mo and B.B. King are not in their
top form either (Riding is the King is a more
accurate assessment of King's ability in spite of old
age). One of the stars who live up to their reputation
is Susan Tedeschi, who sounds so full of energy and
fire especially in "Kansas City." This lass
is gonna be a star, trust me! Kenny Wayne has evidently
improved on his guitar skills, though he still largely
imitates Stevie Ray on "Texas Flood." The
highlight/purpose/point/objective of this album is,
obviously, Willie's voice. Many of the tunes (some famous,
some not) are written by Willie himself. Willie's gone
through so much that his voice is natural blues. Those
who buy Milk Cow Blues for the young stars will
undoubtedly be disappointed. Those who buy it for Willie
will be delighted as he proceeds to show the youngsters
(and all of us) what soul, and phrasing, and the blues
are all about.
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