In a brief-but-sweet Saturday night set, 83-year-old Willie Nelson reminded Fiddler’s Green why he’s an enduring national treasure.
Taking the stage after a charming set of rebel-girl country from , Nelson’s traditional “Whiskey River” opener was a bit sleepy out of the gate. The rocking classic “Good Hearted Woman” found Nelson warmed up and the Fiddler’s Green sound dialed in.
Vocally, Nelson was in fine form. His unconventional, poetic phrasing was at its laid-back best for the romantic “Funny How Time Slips Away/Crazy/Night Life” medley.
Aside from having a catalog that represents many of the best country songs of all time, Willie Nelson remains a stunningly great guitar player, evidenced by his acoustic picking on a cover of Django Reinhardt’s “Nuages.”
Nelson’s Family band has more than 40 years of experience touring and recording behind their outlaw leader. Their decades of chops really shine in the boogie-woogie portions of the set, most notably the cheerful “Jambalaya/Hey Good Lookin’/Move It On Over” featuring the nimble piano work of Nelson’s big sister Bobbie, still rocking at 85.
“Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die” found notorious weed aficionado Nelson celebrating his recent launch of Colorado’s “Willie’s Reserve” marijuana line with a rocking gospel number turned on its ear.
Gospel music carries a special weight when delivered by performers in their 80s, and Nelson’s touching closers “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” and “I Saw The Light” found his signature vocal vibrato communicating the full power of his 80 years of excellent living.
The hour-long, encore-less set left the Friday night Fiddler’s Green audience still wanting more, but well aware of the significance of sharing a summer night with the iconic Willie Nelson.
Setlist: Willie Nelson, Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, 07/30/16
1. Whiskey River
2. Still Is Still Moving to Me
3. Beer for My Horses
4. Good Hearted Woman
5. Funny How Time Slips Away / Crazy / Night Life
6. Down Yonder
7. Me and Paul
8. It’s All Going to Pot
9. Shoeshine Man
10. Nuages (Django Reinhardt)
11. Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
12. Jambalaya (On the Bayou) / Hey Good Lookin’ / Move It On Over
13. Georgia on My Mind
14. Somewhere Between
15. On the Road Again
16. Always on My Mind
17. Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die
18. Will The Circle Be Unbroken / I’ll Fly Away
19. I Saw the Light
