Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 2, 1993 TAG: 9308020018
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MARK MORRISON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Symphony didn't have to bring in such an unlikely match for its annual Picnic with the Pops concert series Saturday night at the Salem Civic Center.
Nor did it have to play second violin to its venerable guest, and exit humbly after 45 minutes.
Bold moves for sure.
But good ones - because Willie was wonderful. And from his opening number, "Whiskey River," through his gospel closing, "I Saw the Light," Willie Nelson oddly was not such an unlikely fit for a Pops picnic after all.
Although his style takes some getting accustomed to again with each new meeting, it's worth the effort. Willie's slightly behind-the-beat delivery and jazzy loose band does take getting used to.
At first, you wonder, is that right? Then: Yes, with Willie it wouldn't sound on the mark any other way.
He just has such ease. It's partly what defines him as so truly unique. He isn't for everyone, but he is certainly an original.
At 60, his voice appeared remarkably strong and as clear as ever.
He looked good. He wore jeans, running shoes, a T-shirt cut off at the sleeves, and he traded between a black cowboy hats and several red bandannas.
With only a Texas flag as a backdrop, he was the essence of eloquent simplicity. Just set up the equipment and let the music speak for itself.
The range and variety of his song selections was astounding. Who else would include a classic like "Stardust" in the same set with "Bobbie McGee," a song most closely associated with rock diva Janis Joplin?
Bold indeed.
Of course, after the Willie treatment, none of his selections seem out of place.
It was his more melodic material Saturday that really stood out, especially with a symphony crowd in mind.
Highlights included: "Stardust," "All of Me," "Georgia On My Mind," "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," "Always on My Mind," "Seven Spanish Angels," and a new song, "Valentine," that could pass for a standard.
The list could go on, just as Willie went on. One thing is for sure, he came to play, holding the stage for two hours-plus. He probably could have gone on longer, too.
For its part, the symphony with conductor Victoria Bond fittingly marched through 45 minutes of pops selections that had the flavor of a movie soundtrack from some sweeping old Western.
Appropriately, too, Bond and company came dressed ready to square dance - in cowboy boots and jeans and such.
Even the harp sported a 10-gallon hat.
by CNB