Customer Reviews

Rainbow Connection

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Is there any genera or idiom that Willie Nelson can't feel at home with? Having successfully worked in everything from western swing, polka, r&b, mainstream jazz, rockability and everything in-between, Willie set out to record a childrens album.

Starting out with the lovely title track, Joe Robosso's composition, Rainbow Connection, a song that will forever be associated with the late Jim Hensen and his alter-ego, Kermit the Frog. Willie jumps right into this project with his usual relaxed feel and understated sweetness. Ol' Blue, an ode to a man's best friend is covered in typical Willie fashion, with some very tasty steel guitar thrown in for good measure. And then there's Micky Newbury's Just Dropped In, (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) a perfect vehicle for Willie and Micky Raphael's peerless harmonica playing.

There's not much here to astound or blow you away, but if you love Willie, and who doesn't you'll enjoy this lighthearted romp through fields and over the rainbow.

This album is so cool, I can't describe it. His guitar playing on here is some of the best I've ever heard from him. He sings a beautifull version of the old Kermit classic, Rainbow Connection, and throws in some tasty guitar leads. In "I'm looking over a four leaf clover", you can really hear the influence of Willie's favorite guitar player, the late gypsie jazz man Django Rienhardt. "Outskirts of town" is slow blues at its best. Willie jams on trigger like there's no tommorrow in what I think is one of his best blues recordings ever. If you liked Night and Day, Stardust, and all those mellow, nice and easy albums, you'll love this. It's not overproduced like "Milk Cow Blues", and "Teatro" (which were still great albums, but not like this one). It isn't too manufeactured, it really gets the feel of Willie Nelson. I highly recomend this to EVERYBODY!!

I thought this was a great album. It is not just another country album. I think it was full of feeling. The title track was quite well done, but there are two other tracks that hit me. One was Playmate. I could feel the emotions coming through that song. The other song that got me, was done not by Willie, but by Amy Nelson. The song is called Wise Old Me. I have the feeling that Willie is not the only good song writer in the family. While the mix of songs is a little eclectic, it has some real feelings. Not just Nashville pop-country acts. Some people might complain about this album because it isn't another On The Road Again, but Willie Nelson is much more than that. He is a gifted singer, and songwriter that has many different tastes and styles. It is nice to hear someone reach out beyond where they are usually typecast. If you are looking for a new-school country album, then this is not for you. But if you are looking for an album that really shows off a wide array of talent, and that is a true joy to listen to, then this is for you.

One reviewer complained about Willie not reaching certain notes...but this is Willie Nelson!!! His voice is getting better with age. Rainbow Connection is a kids cd in the same way that the Wizard of Oz or Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory are kids movies. It's the weird parts that make them interesting. Some people seem to think all a kid needs is the sugar coated nothingness of a Barney song or some Disney soundtrack. This is a family album in the sense that the first part is for the tykes, and the last part is for ma and pa. Some of the cheesy (...) parents buy for their children nowadays is far more harmful than this marvel of a cd which treats children as having some degree of intelligence.

This is my favorite Willie recording!! I love the songs that are just Willie and his daughter Amy singing as though they are sitting in our living room instead of in some high-tech impersonal recording studio. Amy has a clear, sweet voice and does a beautiful version of Tom Hunter's "Rock Me to Sleep" (which speaks to all of us adults who've ever cared about anyone). The accompanyment on this song is pure, unadulterated Willie. I also love Amy's song "Wise Old Me" and the warm, gentle way that Willie sings "Playmate." I'd encourage everyone to buy this refreshing collection of pure, gutsy, natural music that hearkens to Willie's origins and the origin of song -- done for the heart, not for the profit. You'll find yourself singing along. (However, beware of selections 9-13 - they're definitely not for children!)

I purchased this album for our 3- and 5-year old grandsons to listen to in the car. Think Raffi. That type it is not.

However, after listening to it myself several times, I find I like the songs and Willy is always soothing. I'm in charge of who listens to what in my car so Rainbow Connections it will be and if a song doesn't feel right, we'll just pass it by for now.

It really does become comfortable very quickly.

This album is a little outside the typical for Willie. Die hard fans of the "progressive country" that characterizes Willie may be disappointed. I was not! I found it delightful. Since it was billed as a childrens collection, I was pleasantly surprised at the enclusion of "The 33rd of August" - definately not a children's song but one of my favorites from an old Micky Newbury album.

get this CD for the title track only. only willie could do "rainbow connection" without irony. this track makes the whole CD worth 5 stars.

i was hoping that this CD would be just willie and a guitar... a stardust-type album. but it's cluttered with a bit too much variety... some tracks are just OK, most are good.

I admit it. I thought this was a silly idea for an album, and only purchased it to maintain my collection's completeness. But when I listened to it, I fell in love with its casual flair and its odd take on kiddie standards. Every time I listen to it, I love it more and more.
I am a thirty-something adult with no kids, and I love almost every song on this album (Ol' Blue excluded). This is definitely the musical equivalent of "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" : A surreal trip that leaves you happy. If you are trying to decide which of the latest WIllie albums to buy, this is the one (NOT "The Great Divide").

This is my favorite Willie recording!! I love the songs that are just Willie and his daughter Amy singing as though they are sitting in our living room instead of in some high-tech impersonal recording studio. Amy has a clear, sweet voice and does a beautiful version of Tom Hunter's "Rock Me to Sleep" (which speaks to all of us adults who've ever cared about anyone). The accompanyment on this song is pure, unadulterated Willie. I also love Amy's song "Wise Old Me" and the warm, gentle way that Willie sings "Playmate." I'd encourage everyone to buy this refreshing collection of pure, gutsy, natural music that hearkens to Willie's origins and the origin of song -- done for the heart, not for the profit. You'll find yourself singing along. (However, beware of selections 9-13 - they're definitely not for children!)