Saying
Phosphorescent
's tribute album to
Willie Nelson
is redolent of history is an understatement -- besides the subject of the album itself, the title acts as a specific reference to
Nelson
's own 1975 tribute to
Lefty Frizzell
,
To Lefty from Willie
. There's a danger of well-meaning overkill and clinging associations at work as a result, which the album has to struggle through. Still, it's also an interesting sign of just how much certain goal posts in the world of indie rock have changed over time -- the fascination with older, more "real" country has been present since the days of
X
and the
Blasters
, to name two bands out of many, and
's own well-established outsider/outlaw image is a perfect one to hang one's hat on.
Mathew Houck
aka
and a crew of backing musicians aim to do just that on
To Willie
and if by default it can't fully capture the killer resonance of
's immediately recognizable vocals and twang,
Houck
's singing is far more hushed in comparison, though to his credit he doesn't specifically aim to sound like
in terms of out-and-out mimicry -- the whole is still a game enough effort, if nothing else showing
's excellent taste in song choices. (A collection of the
performances of each track would make one heck of a mix disc.) Kicking off with a double-tip of the hat --
"Reasons to Quit,"
written by
Merle Haggard
rather than by
but a standard for both men --
generally maintains a steady, softly woozy late-night singalong feeling throughout its length, with some performances giving
and his band a real chance to shine instrumentally.
"Walkin'"
features the most musicians on a track -- seven total, with some lovely pedal steel work by
Ricky Ray Jackson
-- while
Hank Cochran
's
"Can I Sleep in Your Arms"
is a full one-man-band effort. Another winner is
"It's Not Supposed to Be That Way,"
with
and
Angel Deradoorian
sharing vocals over music that uses a spartan yet lovely guitar/bass arrangement. ~ Ned Raggett