Staff pick of the week...
This week...Geoff picks it!

Artist: Willie Nelson Title: Crazy: The Demo Sessions Price: $14.00 CD	Tracks on this CD:
	Opportunity To Cry
	Three Days
	Undo The Right
	What Do You Think Of Her Now
	I've Just Destroyed The World
	Permanently Lonely
	Are You Sure
	Darkness On The Face Of The Earth
	Things Remembered
	A Moment Isn't Very Long
	Crazy
	The Local Memory
	I Gotta Get Drunk
	Something To Think About
	I'm Still Here

Every time my buddy Ric comes to town we always end up at one or another of Ric’s favorite places to eat (fondly referred to as Bubba’s, Overall’s and “that place where they have the margaritas”). One way or another, we always end up talking about music. Rarely do the talks revolve around “pop music” but rather jazz, blues, folk or some international group that one of us thinks is the greatest thing ever. After a few hours and a few too many beers I have usually amassed a long list of records I need to buy. Over the years on Ric’s recommendation I have picked up records by Charlie Patton, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Merle Haggard, Iris Dement (now one of my favorites) and a whole host of others. The latest was Willie Nelson’s “Crazy: The Demo Sessions"

This is early 1960s Willie Nelson before the masses had heard of Willie Nelson. These tracks are all publishing demos he recorded in hopes that some star would pick them up and record them. Some of the songs are just Willie and his guitar. Others include a full backing band. All are incredible. Some of these demos sound so complete you have to remind yourself they aren’t finished recordings (remember Paul McCartney’s demo for “Come and Get It”). Some of these songs Nelson re-recorded years later for future “proper” releases. Others were covered by a variety of musicians. The most famous, “Crazy,” is included in its original demo state. Patsy Cline, of course, made this her biggest hit in 1961. My favorite track is the previously unreleased demo “Something to Think About” featuring guitar, piano, pedal steel and of course Willie on vocals.

This CD is a great insight into the formative years of someone who has since become one of the greatest American singer-songwriters. I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in singer-songwriters, the current crop of stripped down roots rock or in expanding their base of musical knowledge.

(thanks ric)

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