Maps of Music
Rainbow Connection (2001)
Where the lyrics of Rainbow Connection take you, and where it was really made.
Amy Nelson spent twenty years trying to get her father to record the song, and in 2001 it became the title of his album.
View on the mapKey places
Recorded near Spicewood, Texas (2001)
Recording site Pedernales Studio — The album was recorded in December 2000 and January 2001 at Willie Nelson's ranch near Spicewood, Texas. This point is placed at city-center level for Spicewood, not at the exact studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: See the map for directions.
Album story
Overview
- Rainbow Connection: 49th studio album by country singer Willie Nelson
- Released 12 June 2001; Spanish-language Wikipedia credits Island Records
- Thirteen tracks, opening with 'Rainbow Connection' (4:29, by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher)
- Longest track 'Outskirts of Town' at 7:20
- Credits include songs by Mickey Newbury, Tom Hunter and Rex Griffin alongside traditional material
Background
- Daughter Amy Nelson was five when she first heard Kermit the Frog sing 'Rainbow Connection' in The Muppet Movie
- She spent the next twenty years trying to persuade her father to record the song
- In 2001 he finally recorded it, with Amy co-producing
- Amy Nelson is also credited as writer of 'Wise Old Me' on the album
Recording
- Recorded December 2000 and January 2001 at Willie's ranch near Spicewood, Texas
- Discogs credits the recording location as Willie Nelson's World Headquarters
- Mastered at Terra Nova Digital Audio, mastering credit to Jerry Tubb
- Producer and mixing credits go to David Zettner and Matt Hubbard
- Willie Nelson is credited as executive producer and liner notes writer
- Matt Hubbard plays harmonica, electric bass, bongos, keyboards and electric piano
- David Zettner plays pedal steel, electric bass and guitar
- Gabe Rhodes plays guitar; Paula Nelson and Lana Nelson provide vocals
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com · es.wikipedia.org
Tracklist
| 1 | Rainbow Connection | 4:30 |
| 2 | I’m Looking Over a Four‐Leaf Clover | 2:31 |
| 3 | Ol’ Blue | 2:37 |
| 4 | Wise Old Me | 4:15 |
| 5 | Won’t You Ride in My Little Red Wagon | 1:29 |
| 6 | Playmate | 1:38 |
| 7 | I’m My Own Grandpa | 3:21 |
| 8 | Rock Me to Sleep | 3:17 |
| 9 | Playin’ Dominoes and Shootin’ Dice | 2:46 |
| 10 | Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way | 1:57 |
| 11 | Outskirts of Town | 7:21 |
| 12 | Just Dropped In (to See What Condition My Condition Was In) | 3:44 |
| 13 | The Thirty‐Third of August | 4:35 |
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
- Release date listed as 12 June 2001 in Spanish-language Wikipedia
- Discogs master record lists the release as 18 June 2001
- Discogs release record gives catalog number 314-548 810-2 on disc and booklet
- Spine catalog number is printed as 314 548 810-2
- Album recorded at Willie Nelson's World Headquarters per Discogs
- Mastered at Terra Nova Digital Audio
Records
- Nominated for the 44th Grammy Award for Best Country Album
- The album is the 49th studio album in Willie Nelson's discography
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com
Trivia
- Amy Nelson was five when she first heard Kermit the Frog sing 'Rainbow Connection' in The Muppet Movie, and she spent the next twenty years trying to get her father to record it.
- 'Outskirts of Town' by Casey Bill Weldon, at 7:20, is the longest track on the album.
- 'Wise Old Me' is credited to Amy Nelson, one of the album's songs written by a family member.
- Mastering took place at Terra Nova Digital Audio, and the mix was credited to David Zettner.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
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