Customer Reviews

You Don't Know Me: Songs of Cindy Walker

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have found that there are four types of country-minded songwriters. The first two (those who can't write, and those whose artistic success comes sporadically, at best), I won't bother with. The third category of songwriters are those who create elaborate tapestries with words. These are your Dylan's and Kristofferson's; artists who milk language for everything it is worth (I'm not insulting their talent; I personally am a big Kristofferson fan). The fourth type of songwriter uses simple language; they keep it real and honest, and cut straight to the bone. This is where Cindy Walker (and, not-coincidently, Willie Nelson) falls.

This album is a testament to the honesty of country music. Want proof? I saw the video of "You Don't Know Me" and immediately went out and bought the album. Why? Because it summarizes, word for word, what I'm going through in my life right now. How about "Not That I Care," with its subtle blend of sorrow and non-chalance? Or the heartbreaking "Dusty Skies?" Or the witty "Don't Be Ashamed of Your Age?" Or the genuinely romantic "I Don't Care?" These are songs that cut to the quick, that grab your heart and don't let go. This is a 13-track journey through the heart and soul of what makes country music the honest, hard-working music it is.

Aside from a stirring tribute to one of country's greatest songwriters, YOU DON'T KNOW ME: THE SONGS OF CINDY WALKER is a testament to the artistic capabilities of Willie Nelson. His voice has never sounded finer, as he sings straight from the heart. The album also features the return of producer extraordinaire Fred Foster, who introduced the world to such artists as Roy Orbison and the afore-mentioned Kris Kristofferson. Three brilliant minds went into creating this album; and with the help of stellar musicians (including beautiful harmonies by the Jordanaires), they crafted a classic country record. YOU DON'T KNOW ME: THE SONGS OF CINDY WALKER is destined to become one of those records you don't forget. It will tug at your heartstrings, it will make you smile and dance. And, if nothing else, it features stone-cold country music; and, I kid you not, twin fiddling. Willie Nelson, along with some of his good friends and partners in crime, has created yet another country music masterpiece. It's truly a timeless record.

Since I've been a fan of Willie Nelson's since the eary '70's I think I'm a pretty good judge of his work. For the last 5 or 6 years Willie has been devoting alot of his career to singing with alot of the newer Country artists who admire Willie's work for many reasons. I mention that because even though I have enjoyed alot of that vein that he was in, I continually was longing for just good 'ole "Willie Nelson" music. During that period Willie's voice often seemed to be weakening, which I guess you can expect from a 73 year-old singer who has been doing 200 plus shows a year for more than 30 years. Then, all of a sudden Willie puts out an album in 2004 titled "It Always Will Be", and knocks my socks off! The voice is sounding better, and the selection of songs was fantastic. If you Willie fans don't have it, buy it and sit back and relax, and enjoy yourself.

Now today, March 14, 2006, Willie releases something that he's wanted to do for years, a tribute to the great Texas songwriter, Cindy Walker called "You Don't Know Me". Well folks, I think with this one and the previous album I mentioned, we finally have Willie back again, doing what he does best.This is one of the best albums Willie has done in the past dozen years. His voice is stronger than it's been in a long time. Every song out of the 13 are winners, not a bad cut on the album. The only thing that I was upset with was when it was over. I wanted more. It's that good. And, what an all-star lineup of musicians Willie has playing with him. To name the ones who really stand out: Buddy Emmons on Steel Guitar, who Willie has played with it seems like his whole career; Gordon More on piano, and as good as he's ever been, the great Johnny Gimble, Willie's old buddy from Bob Wills and His Texas Playboy fame. People, if you love Willie Nelson when he sings ballads, and if you are a fan of Texas Swing, you have to treat yourself to this album. Supposedly Willie did enough Cindy Walker songs to fill three albums. I can't wait for the next one.(Hope you read this Will). Now, if we can just get Willie in the studio with Merle Haggard to do a whole new album again, instead of just a tune here and there, we'll have "real country music" back again! Thanks, Willie! You still got it!

This is an excellent CD. The songs are (of course) outstanding, and Willie (for the most part) does a great job. The musicianship is first class, and the production is well-done. My only complaint is that Willie screws up "Bubbles in my beer"! I've heard the original many, many times and also Willie's version on "Shotgun Willie". Listen to both, and you'll see what I mean. He kind of turns the bridge into a chorus. Other than that, this is a good listen all the way through. Standouts include "It's all your fault", "Warm red wine", "Miss molly", and "Sugar moon". Anyone who likes Willie doing swing and jazz (my favorite style of his) will dig this CD

Listening to this cd I am amazed at the variety of talents all on one cd (why one though? I do hope there is a vol 2 in the vaults somewhere) Last month you could have asked me who Cindy Walker was and I honestly didn't have a clue - but listening to all these songs, that I already knew from a variety of artists; the woman bowls me over.

Everyone involved on this cd is a master in their own right and the end product is pure joy for the speakers. Their love, and respect, for good music is evident and I am most grateful.

Willie Nelson makes up for what he has lost in voice with a great singer and songwriter's insights into the work of another very fine songwriter, Cindy Walker. This is Willie Nelson's best work in at least a decade, perhaps longer. Highly recommended.

Cindy Walker has written some of the best known country songs for many, many years for some of the best artists we have had. "You Don't Know Me", "Sugar Moon", and "Cherokee Maiden" will delight any country music fan, especially if you like Willie Nelson and the flare he adds. "Bubbles In My Beer" is a fun song while "Take Me In Your Arms" can tug at your heart. This CD is a wonderful tribute to a lady who gave so much to the music industry.

Willie has always shined when interpreting the songs that influenced him as a boy. See "Stardust" and "To Lefty From Willie". He's done it once again. This is one of a handful of the best records he's ever made. Highly recommended.

Nelson's prolific streak of releases on Lost Highway (including live and studio LPs each of the past three years) continues with this collection of Cindy Walker covers. Walker's songs are best known as hits rendered by a who's-who of swing, honky-tonk, country and pop stars that includes Bob Wills, Ernest Tubb, Webb Pierce, Merle Haggard, Eddy Arnold and Ray Charles. The Texas soul of Walker's songs fit Nelson to a tee, and as a legendary songsmith in his own right, his devotion to Walker's work is both a compliment and an acknowledgement of these songs' fundamental role in his own artistic development.

One time Texas Playboy fiddler Johnny Gimble leads a stellar swing combo that includes the steel of Buddy Emmons and background harmonies of The Jordanaires. Nelson's familiarity with the material occasionally turns his vocals too casual, but the highlights are outstanding, including a jazzy rendition of "Don't Be Ashamed of Your Age," a forlorn, heartbroken reading of "Not That I Care," a wearily styled "Warm Red Wine," and a warm, Western-themed take on "Dusty Skies." Nelson's a skilled interpreter, and backed by a sympathetically swinging combo, this is a wonderful tip-of-the-cowboy-hat to Walker's songwriting. [©2006 hyperbolium dot com]

On this CD, Willie Nelson sings songs written by the late Cindy Walker. He performs 13 of her songs here, which date from 1942 to 1963. Most of these songs were hits way back then for country music legends like Bob Wills, Eddy Arnold, Ernest Tubb, Red Foley and Webb Pierce. Interestingly, Miss Walker wrote most of these songs from a man's point of view, probably because there weren't many popular female country singers back then. (Kitty Wells was the first female country music superstar, and she didn't have her first hit until 1952.) These songs fit Willie Nelson like a glove, and he performs them quite well in his trademark style. I'm sure that Willie's fans will really enjoy this CD.

I am realtively new to country music. I purchased this because I had the pleasure of hearing Willie sing "You Don't Know Me" on CMT one afternoon. I was quite taken with his rendition and recalled hearing this song growing up. From this one time "soft rocker" I couldn't be happier. Go Willie!