Maps of Music

American Classic (2009)

Where the lyrics of American Classic take you, and where it was really made.

A country star's album of pop and jazz standards began with a meeting at his own Austin ranch, and its cover photo was taken at that same ranch.

Key places

Cover photo taken at Nelson's ranch (2009)

Album cover Mirrorball Studios — The album cover photo was taken at Willie Nelson's ranch by photographer Danny Clinch. The map point sits at the city centre of Austin, Texas, not at the exact location of the ranch. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• American Classic: 57th studio album by country artist Willie Nelson
• Released August 25, 2009
• Focuses on the American popular songbook and standard jazz classics
• Guest appearances by Norah Jones and Diana Krall
• Twelve songs selected for the album
• Released by Blue Note Records

Background

• In 2008, Nelson met at his ranch in Austin, Texas, to choose songs
• Producer Tommy LiPuma and jazzman Joe Sample took part in the song selection
• The selection included a re-recording by Nelson of Always on My Mind
• A duet with Barbra Streisand was planned but never recorded for the album

Recording

• Joe Sample credited on piano and arrangements
• Norah Jones sings and plays piano on Baby, It's Cold Outside
• Diana Krall sings and plays piano on If I Had You
• Discogs credits Al Schmitt as recording and mixing engineer
• Discogs credits Steve Genewick as recording engineer and Doug Sax as mastering engineer

Cover

• The cover photo was taken at Nelson's ranch by photographer Danny Clinch

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · ko.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Born Willie Hugh Nelson on April 29, 1933, in Abbott, Texas.
• Wrote his first song at age seven and joined his first band, Bohemian Polka, as a guitarist at age nine.
• Attended Baylor University for two years before dropping out to pursue music.
• Moved to Nashville in 1960 and joined Ray Price's band as a bassist.

Career

• Songs such as "Crazy" (Patsy Cline), "Funny How Time Slips Away" and "Pretty Paper" became hits for other artists.
• Debut album ...And Then I Wrote was released in 1962; joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1965.
• Helped lead the outlaw country movement after moving to Austin, Texas in 1972.
• Red Headed Stranger (1975) was a critically acclaimed concept album; the single "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" became his first number one hit.
• Co-founded Farm Aid in 1985 with Neil Young and John Mellencamp.
• Acted in over 30 films, including The Electric Horseman (1979).
• Received a Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance for "Ride Me Back Home" (2019).
• Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993 and received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1998.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Rolling Stone rated the album three stars out of five, a mixed review
• Rolling Stone said the band pushes the music into airless cocktail-jazz territory and Nelson often sounds glib and unengaged
• The New York Times praised Nelson's band and the impeccable personnel
• The New York Times said the album lacks the conviction Nelson brings to his strongest work
• The New York Times said the singularity of Nelson's voice redeems much of the album
• The Austin Chronicle rated the album two stars out of five
• The Austin Chronicle criticized the arrangements, saying the album squares Nelson with tradition rather than upsetting it
• The Austin Chronicle said only Joe Sample's piano pushes the songs beyond their standard status
• Prefix Magazine rated the album eight points out of ten and gave it a positive review
• PopMatters rated the album 4/10
• PopMatters criticized Nelson's phrasing and the sweeping string sections

Records

• Nominated at the 52nd Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• A duet with Barbra Streisand was planned for the album but was not performed on it
• The twelve songs include a re-recording of Always on My Mind
• Discogs lists Al Schmitt as recording engineer and mixing engineer
• The cover photo was taken at Nelson's ranch by photographer Danny Clinch
• Christian McBride and Lewis Nash are among the rhythm players credited in the personnel list

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

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