Country legend Willie Nelson made his first trip back to the Seneca Allegany Casino since 2010 this past Sunday. Playing in front of a capacity crowd, Nelson cranked out 23 songs in an hour and 15 minutes. He let his music and his band (consisting of a harmonica player, two percussionists, a bassist and a piano player) do the talking.
Opening up with “Whiskey River,” the outlaw country legend hasn’t slowed down a bit at the young age of 83. Nelson really doesn’t follow a set list and it’s up to the band to keep up and keep in tune, and I believe they were equally up to the task. His longtime harmonica player Mickey Raphael really interjected life into a lot of the songs including “Georgia on my Mind,” where he stepped out and was able to expand some. Willie’s sister Bobbie Lee Nelson also enjoyed the spotlight as she did a piano solo for one number.
One of the world’s most famous guitars was on display and that was his acoustic Martin guitar nicknamed ‘Trigger.” You can see after years of hard playing, a hole formed above the bridge by the sound hole. Despite its condition, Nelson still plays that guitar with vigor and tenacity. It was no more evident than in the song “Night Life,” when he really worked the guitar.
Nelson patronized the fans in the front by tossing out headbands throughout his set. This country legend also took the time to come to the edge of the stage to shake hands and sign tickets and photos for his fans. Most new artists (and established ones too) should take notice on how a superstar, who’s 83, still does these things when he clearly doesn’t need to.
Gearing up for the 31st annual Farm Aid concert (which BackstageAxxess will also be covering), Nelson isn’t resting on his laurels as he keeps up his rigorous touring schedule and will be heading the Farm Aid show. It’s always a treat to see him perform and it will be again on September 17th at Farm Aid.
Setlist:
Whiskey River
Still is Still Moving to Me
Beer for my Horses (Toby Keith cover)
Good Hearted Woman (Waylon Jennings cover)
Funny How Time Slips Away
Crazy (Patsy Cline cover)
Night Life
Piano solo (Bobbi Lee Nelson)
Me and Paul
If You’ve Got the Money, I’ve Got the Time (Lefty Frizzell cover)
Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys (Ed Bruce cover)
Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground
On the Road Again
Always on my Mind
It’s All Going to Pot
Georgia on my Mind
Been to Georgia on a Fast Train
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Shoeshine Man
Nuages (Django Reinhardt – cover- Instrumental)
Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die
Bloody Mary Morning
I’ll Fly Away
We would like to thank Phil Pantano from Pantano & Associates for the credentials to review the show.
