Willie Nelson and his sister Bobbie Nelson have been making music together since they were teenagers growing up in Abbott, Texas. Despite poverty that the family endured during the Great Depression, Nelson and his older sister were never deprived of music. They soaked up gospel, country and, of course, Frank Sinatra. Early in their careers they played together in Texas bands and Bobbie has been an essential member of Willie's Family Band since its official formation in 1973.
Now the siblings are making music again. This time it's on "December Day," the first installment of the Willie's Stash archival recording series. The album debuts intimate new recordings from the outlaw country legend and his talented sister performing 18 songs they love. The collaborative "December Day" is set for a Dec.2 release.
With songs personally selected by Willie and Bobbie, "December Day" includes new versions of gems from Willie's extensive songwriting catalog ("Permanently Lonely," "My Old Peculiar Way") alongside some surprising cover tunes (Al Jolson's "The Anniversary Song," Irving Berlin's "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "What'll I Do" and "Always").
The album's sound is augmented by contributions from other Family Band members, including harmonica player Mickey Raphael and the late Bee Spears on bass on "What'll I Do," recorded during his poignant last session with Willie.
In Rapheal's first-hand observer liner notes for "December Day," the harmonica playing Family Band member provides intriguing details of the album's performances and revealing insights into the artists' creative process.
"As long as I can remember, Willie and Bobbie, who ride together on Willie's bus, spend some of their traveling time jamming on their favorite songs," Raphael writes. "Bobbie has a travel size keyboard on the bus and Willie's guitar, Trigger is always by his side. This is where the idea for 'December Day' was born. 'Why not record our favorite songs like we play them for ourselves?,' Bobbie asked...."
Willie's Stash series will present a variety of releases, personally curated by Willie Nelson, culled from decades of recording and touring.
"December Day" is Willie's fifth release since signing to Legacy Recordings in 2012. His last Legacy release, "Band Of Brothers," launched in June 2014 and hit No. 1 on Billboard's Country Albums chart.
Musicians on the album include Willie Nelson (Trigger) and Bobbie Nelson (piano, B-3 organ) with Mickey Raphael (harmonica), Kevin Smith (bass), Bee Spears (bass), Billy English (drums, percussion) and David Zettner (acoustic guitar).
Check out the track list of "December Day" (Willie's Stash, Vol. 1):
1. Alexander's Ragtime Band (Irving Berlin)
2. Permanently Lonely (Willie Nelson)
3. What'll I Do (Irving Berlin)
4. Summer of Roses / December Day (Willie Nelson)
5. Nuages (Django Reinhardt)
6. Mona Lisa (Ray Evans & Jay Livingston)
7. I Don't Know Where I Am Today (Willie Nelson)
8. Amnesia (Willie Nelson)
9. Who'll Buy My Memories (Willie Nelson)
10. The Anniversary Song (Al Jolson & Saul Chaplin)
11. Laws of Nature (Willie Nelson)
12. Walkin' (Willie Nelson)
13. Always (Irving Berlin)
14. I Let My Mind Wander (Willie Nelson)
15. Is the Better Part Over (Willie Nelson)
16. My Own Peculiar Way (Willie Nelson)
17. Sad Songs and Waltzes (Willie Nelson)
18. Ou-es tu, mon amour (Emile Stern & Henri LeMarchand) / I Never Cared for You (Willie Nelson)
