REVIEWER: Radio RockonTour host Timothy Tilghman
Living legend Willie Nelson charmed Charm City with his wit and wiles on Sunday, July 25, 2010. Baltimore was host to his “Singer Songwriter Actor Author Tour”. The iconic outlaw has been twanging away on his guitar strings for six decades in a celebrated music career that has provided a needle-worn soundtrack of memories for his legions of blue collar, working class fans.
Nelson’s young son Lukas was the opening act who later joined his Pop on stage to play guitar alongside his famous father and had a turn at his own lead vocal. Willie’s unparalleled tenure touring America has weathered him with life experiences that tell the tale of a traveling minstrel.
Nelson tapped into a reservoir of material written by notable composers Kris Kristofferson, Hank Williams, and Ray Charles to add flavor to his diverse repertoire. His subtle style of playing acoustic guitar transitioned from Country & Western to ballads to country gospel to rockabilly and country blues. Willie’s distinct vocals stamped each song with his own original brand of singing.
Nelson has enjoyed lifelong domestic chart success with scores of enviable album sales and 22 American #1 hit singles. The Pier Six Pavilion audience was treated to Willie’s stage favorites “Angle Flying To Close To The Ground”, “On The Road Again”, and “Good Hearted Woman”, in addition to a medley of top 40 hits early in his set that he composed for other artists.
Willie proudly displayed his Texan heritage by unfurling a super-sized flag of Texas as he appeared on stage to launch his performance. At 77 years of age, Nelson showed no signs of slowing down. He has been a loyal supporter and performer at the annual Farm Aid concerts. Just like clockwork, The Nelson Family are a fixture on the national touring circuit.
Baltimore July 25, 2010 setlist: Whiskey River * Still Is Still Moving To Me * Beer For My Horses * Shoeshine Man * Funny How Time Just Slips Away > Crazy > Night Life * Down Yonder * Help Me Make It Through The Night * Me And Bobby McGee * Busted In Laredo * Flooding Down In Texas (Lukas Nelson vocal) * Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys * Angel Flying To Close To The Ground * On The Road Again * Always On My Mind * Will The Circle Be Unbroken * Nobody’s Fault But Mine * On The Bayou > Hey Hey Good Looking > Move It On Over * Good Hearted Woman * I Gotta Get Drunk * Those Healing Hands Of Time * I Ain’t Superman * You Don’t Think I’m Funny Anymore * Georgia On My Mind * City Of New Orleans * I Saw The Light