I've been looking forward to this album for years. I heard Rolling Stone said it sucks but I will of course check it out anyways. Wal-Mart Tweaks Willie's Reggae by Sarah Hall Jul 12, 2005, 12:45 PM PT back to story No, you're not smoking something--the cover of Willie Nelson's new reggae album comes in two separate versions: regular and Wal-Mart. The cover art of Countryman, released Tuesday, features green mar1juana leaves over a red and yellow background and looks similar to a large pack of rolling papers. However, for those looking to snap up the CD at Wal-Mart's famously rolled back prices, the cover features a palm tree in place of the offending leaves, a change made by Universal Music Group Nashville out of deference to the retailing giant's strict guidelines with regards to lyrics and packaging. "They're covering all the bases," Nelson commented to the AP. Nelson's not the first artist to be edited by Wal-Mart. In the past, musicians have been asked to change lyrics in order to be stocked on the retailer's shelves, and Wal-Mart once refused to carry a Sheryl Crow album because it contained a song with lyrics about children killing each other with guns purchased at the store. The retailer also pulled Prodigy's 1997 album, Fat of the Land, from shelves after deeming the lyrics to "Smack My b**** Up" too offensive by its standards. Despite the toned-down cover art, Wal-Mart shoppers can rest assured that the contents of Countryman remain unaltered. The long-awaited album features reggae versions of Nelson songs including "Darkness on the Face of the Earth" and "One in a Row," as well as covers of Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come" and "Sitting in Limbo." Nelson also teamed with Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals to record "I'm a Worried Man" by Johnny and June Carter Cash. "When he [Cash] found out I was doing a reggae album, he said, 'Hey, I've got a reggae song that I wrote when I lived there,' " Nelson told the AP. "Toots heard it and liked it." Nelson originally started work on the album for Island Records in 1995 with producer Don Was, who's worked with the Rolling Stones and Bonnie Raitt, among other big names. However, after Island founder Chris Blackwell left the company, the album fell to the wayside until a former Island exec landed at Nelson's current label, Lost Highway Records and revived it. The 72-year-old country singer is currently on the road again, appearing with Bob Dylan in small venues across the country. On Sept. 18, Nelson will reunite with fellow Farm Aid founders John Mellencamp and Neil Young in Chicago to mark the benefit concert's 20th anniversary. Dave Matthews Band is also scheduled to appear and other acts will be announced at a later date. Over the years, the concerts have raised more than $27 million to benefit farmers. Tickets for Farm Aid '05 go on sale July 30.
Meanwhile, you can go over to the DVD section and have your pic of nice family oriented R-rated movies, then mosey on down to the video games and pick up a copy of Half Life 2 or GTA: San Andreas...
I can understand this. I was honestly shocked when I saw it out at Best Buy yesterday. Anyone have this? I almost bought it yesterday, but had read the same review referenced by the thread starter.
ill just keep listening to my copies of shotgun willie and redheaded stranger, thank you. ive heard some of the songs and its not horrible, but it not much more than a novelty. white people shouldnt do reggae (except UB40)
Willie is a big fan of Reggae. When I saw him at the Backyard, Toots and the Maytals opened for him. That was an amazing show. Willie was definately on that night.
I heard him do "Still is Still Moving to Me" reggae version and it was ok. I always thought there could be a stronger connection with artists from country & reggae music, even Cajun, calypso and even hawaiian music. I always thought some of Bob Marley's songs would be instant hits if they were done Country style etc.
I heard most of it a couple of days ago. It has some hits, some misses. I think my favorite was the cover of "Sittin' Here in Limbo." Definitely not up to Shotgun Willie standards, but what is???
It's a weird album...it sounds..well, weird..not good...not bad...weird. I like reggae, I like Wille...this sounds like Willie singing, while the neighbors were playing reggae...and not in a bad way, per se...just weird
The music is still the same, so why does it matter, honestly. If having a cd cover with some cannibis on it is a make-or-break issue with someone buying this album, they shouldn't have the damn thing in the first place.
Checking it out on napster right now . . . so far, I'm not all that impressed, but I haven't heard much of it yet. edit: Finished listening to the whole thing. There are about four songs that are pretty good. In all honesty, it doesn't sound like a reggae album -- it sounds like a country album with a reggae beat in the background. Probably won't listen to it again . . .
Oh, man... that means all those MEXICAN bands with "We have guns" and "these songs are for the DRUG-DEALIN' people" are going to have a different cover... ... they will take all these BAD WORDS out... nice! Thank you, Miss Manners Wal-Mart. - (click!) Well, I guess we Mexicans can do with these words... ok... yeah, ONLY DO WILLIE...
Man, f*** Wal-Mart. I actually don't care about this particular issue, and I realize they have the right to carry or not carry anything they want. But, I hate censorship and will exercise my right to not shop there -- just like Blockbuster. I'll take my business to someone who lets the customers choose for themselves.
I think its insane that Wal-Mart does this. If someone doesnt want to listen to certain lyrics or see a pot leaf, DONT BUY IT. They have the labels on them that say explicit lyrics on it. What else do they need? Wal-Mart is the devil.
That's 'cause WalMart doesn't have the gaming and movie industries by the balls like it does the music industry.
