Songbird

VINYL FORMAT. The pairing of Ryan Adams and his band the Cardinals with Willie Nelson may seem a tad odd, but Nelson has always had a penchant for the unusual and extraordinary; from Plácido Domingo to Leon Russell, Nelson enjoys working with others in collaboration. That said, Songbird is a collaboration of a different sort, and it most resembles -- in feel, not sound -- the work Nelson did with Daniel Lanois on Teatro: loose, relaxed, adventuresome. In essence, Nelson allowed Adams to produce him using the Cardinals, and a couple of Nelson's sidemen, harmonica player Mickey Raphael and Glenn Patscha on Hammond B-3. This is Nelson singing electric rock and blues. While that may read like it would be a travesty, it actually accounts for Nelson's best record since Teatro. His easy delivery, contrasted against Adams wiry production, creates an emotionally honest, deeply moving recording with the best traits of both men shining forth.- All Music Guide