Django and Jimmie is Willie Nelson’s sixth album studio album since he signed he signed for Sony Legacy in 2012; his second ever duet record (Poncho & Lefty, 1983 the other) with fellow country founder father of American outlaw country music legend Merle Haggard. It is a remarkable effort, one where the listener is quietly ushered through the 14 tracks in a fashion mixed with nostalgia, intrigue and best of all the mutual admiration the old stagers have for one another.
Among the new compositions from Willie and his friend, Buddy Cannon (producer) and those from Merle the listener enjoys a cover of old chestnut “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” (Bob Dylan) plus remakes of “Somewhere Between” and “Swinging Doors” from Haggard and Nelson’s famous “Family Bible” to go with Cannon, Jamey Johnson and Larry Shell instant connection “It’s All Going To Pot” (Johnson also adds vocals) and Marla Cannon-Goodman, Ward Davis jewel composition “Unfair Weather Friend”, plus a bunch more. Haggard’s entertaining ode “Missing Ol’ Johnny Cash“ (with Bobby Bare) hits the mark in uncanny fashion, and though Merle’s voice is becoming a little more grisly by the day his impersonation of their old friend and general vocal input is terrific.
As for “Family Bible” Haggard comes up with arguably his best work, something hard to do since pedal steel, tinkling piano, country guitar adorned “Swinging Doors” sounds as good as new. Likewise, could be said for the beautiful heart-stopping “Somewhere Between” as Willie shapes the song, classic ‘Nelson’ fashion, his guitar work on trigger accompanying more fine pedal steel, B-3 Organ et all. Best of the duet work lies with tracks “Driving The Herd”(Nelson, Cannon), “The Only Man Wilder Than Me” (Haggard) and title cut “Django And Jimmie” (Jimmy Melton, Jeff Prince) that not only pays tribute to their greatest influences Django Reinhardt and Jimmie Rodgers; and how if it hadn’t been for the jazz playing gypsy and young singing brakeman there wouldn’t have been a Merle and Willie —it sets the ground rules for the music to follow.
Others of note include lilting, “Alice In Hulaland” and with an injection of urgency “It’s Only Money” both from Nelson-Cannon it has the boys swop lyrics and a joke or two. Hope they recorded one or two more while they were at it to include in future albums; musicians taking part include Mickey Raphael, Eddie Byers, Dan Dugmore, Lonnie Wilson, Kevin “Swine” Grantt, Tony Creasman, Bobby Terry, Mike Johnson, Catherine Stryon Marx, Shawn Camp, Johnson and Merle's son, Ben Haggard among others.
Maurice Hope