Customer Reviews

Willie Nelson: Last of the Breed - Live in Concert

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Last of the Breed" is a remarkable DVD, recording Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Ray Price, live in concert, on the last night of their same-named tour, March 25, 2007 at the Rosemont Theatre. These three old friends, who do love to make music together -- and let's emphasize the "make" in that -- have been doing it for decades, and all are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. They're three old white guys -- Haggard is 70, Nelson, 74, and Price, 81 -- standing solid and performing, with nearly 100 years of performance between them. They may well be the last of the great honky tonk performers, and the last of the Texas Swing singers, too. They are backed in concert by the Grammy-winning Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel, and Ray Price's Cherokee Cowboys. The road, on which they have all made their livings, features prominently. The DVD, a feature-length recording, gives us 35 songs, captured in high definition and 5.1 digital surround sound, plus extras such as extensive interviews with the principals, a photo gallery of the show, and a tour by Nelson of his bus. In fact, we get to see so much of these artists, we can almost begin to think we know them a little. By the way, it's easy to differentiate this DVD from the same-named CD: the DVD documents most of their greatest hits; the CD doesn't. There are only six songs that appear on both.

The concert is opened by silky country crooner Price. He delivers some of his biggest hits: "San Antonio Rose," "Crazy Arms," a powerful "Release Me and Let Me Love Again," and a melodic "Make the World Go Away." He does, as well, two great Kris Kristofferson numbers, "Help Me Make It Through the Night," and "For the Good Times." Asleep At The Wheel then gives us swinging versions of "Route 66," and "Miles and Miles of Texas." Price returns later in the show with an emotionally resonant "Night Life," which Willie Nelson had a hand in writing.

Merle Haggard has been quoted as saying that music saved his life. He once told the late country music great Johnny Cash that every one of the three concerts Cash gave at California's San Quentin prison was very important to him. Cash replied that he didn't remember Haggard's playing with him on those occasions. Haggard said he'd been incarcerated. And he's just as honest and gritty as a singer. He here performs several of his hits, such as "Take me Back to Tulsa," and, possibly his biggest, "Okie from Muskogee," which he wrote himself: he duets on this with Nelson, that 74-year old hippie, giving the song unexpected spice. He also has a harmonic duet with Nelson on Townes Van Zandt's "Pancho and Lefty," reprising the song, a popular favorite, they recorded together years ago. Haggard further delivers a gorgeous "That's The Way Love Goes," by Lefty Frizzell and Sanger D. (Whitey) Shafer, and several more of his own songs: the lovely "Silver Wings," the rollicking "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink," and "Ramblin' Fever," again with Nelson. Freddy Powers then gives us "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself A Letter."

Willie Nelson can render a song, any song, with a passion and purity few artists can match. Furthermore, the man does just seem to like to travel and make music with his friends: I was once lucky enough to catch him in New York's Central Park, one beautiful blue sky spring evening, playing and singing with Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings, then calling themselves The Highwaymen. Lots of good vibes bouncing around. Anyway, on this DVD, Nelson and Ray Price duet on the timeless "Crazy," one of the first songs Nelson ever wrote, a big career-making hit for Patsy Cline. Nelson then does a warm "You Were Always on My Mind." Finally, he delivers rollicking versions of his own "On the Road Again," and "You Don't Think I'm Funny Anymore." And another of his signature tunes, "Whiskey River."

The world is unlikely to deliver another recording of such a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration as this, of these artists, especially with Asleep At The Wheel also on hand. You'd best get it.

This is a must, especially for Willie, Merle and Ray fans. These 3 greats have been performing for many years and only get better as the years go by. I have had this disc since mid October and have almost worn it out playing it several times a day. I play it on my computer while I am reading or writing E-mail and playing games. I never tire of hearing this disc play over and over.

I am several years older than Willie & Merle and only a year older than Ray, and dearly love the music of all three of them. I no longer travel miles to see them in concert as I once did, so look forward to purchasing their new discs as they come out. I'm very unhappy with radio stations for no longer playing songs by these and other great country entertainers.

I picked up this disc because a I'm a big fan of all three of these guys.I wasn't a bit disappointed.It was recorded on the very last night of a tour a few months ago and pretty much every performance is spot-on. I especially enjoyed the way Merle and Willie revisited "Poncho & Lefty".Ray Price opens the show and he can still do those old ballads like "Release Me" and swing with "San Antonio Rose". Asleep at the Wheel serves as back-up and also does a few tunes of their own.

I was never a great Ray Price fan, however after watching him Willie and Merle on this great concert DVD I have to say that at 80+ his voice is as strong as ever. Great opportunity to see these three true legends of country music and terrific backing from Asleep at the Wheel.

You've got to see this DVD,if you totally enjoy this type of music. the color the sound the beat, it's all super fine to the eye & ear. this men show they can still give you one fine concert LIVE. Ray Price started in the 1950's or before knowen also as the Cherokee Cowboy. a room mate, one time, of Hank williams. did i lose you? sharing his great sound.then Asleep at the wheel, keep you happy with some oldies but real fine sounds.after, Merle Haggard is alive with a list of his tones,Mr.Cool Country. then the one & only Willie Nelson walks on stage to join in with Merle Haggard. MAN,they can make the party alive. As i've seen Willie Nelson live 4 times, i can say"this is real good fun". Buy this DVD & see it over & over again.share it with friends.But don't let it out of your hands.
I'm sorry that we lost two country singers/writers, that are not here.John Cash & Waylen Jennings.Boy,could they sing to are hearts.review by kenneth noell.....

The audio and video are both very good for a live performance. The 16:9 format is a plus for me. Willie, Merle and Ray perform some of their best and sound good doing it. Ray Benson and his band are western swing at it's best (a little Bob Wills sound). Look carefully and you will see a modern pedal steel guitar as well as a "Sho-bud" early pedal steel next to a quad neck early Fender non pedal steel. This was an added treat for me since I am interested in steel guitar history. The interview, as an added bonus, is very interesting since they talk about some of the famous song writers, early times in the business and some funny events. The audio is not very good during the interview, but the content makes it worth listening to. This DVD is for a classic country music fan to have and enjoy. Buy it.....you will like it!

If you enjoy some of the older c/w music, this is your cup of tea. Ray Price at 81 still has a wonderful voice. Willy Nelson at 75 still hasn't lost any of his skill and Merle Haggard sings many of his famous toons. One of the best I've heard and I'm not normally a c/w fan.

Willie Nelson - Last of the Breed
Great show, very original, and coming from the heart, makes me forgive Merle haggard for his defamation of us Hippies from the San francisco bay.
Dan

I bought this DVD for my Dad who is 82. He loved seeing the "old" guy still singing. I loved it, too. It's great seeing Willie and friends singing together with no commercials.

Marguerite

I saw this concert on a PBS station and had to have it!
If you are a fan of Willie Nelson, Ray Price or Merle Haggard then this is for you.