Rainbow Connection [Enhanced]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This charming, super-casual collection began as a children's record and later became a "family" record--a designation that reflects the contributions of Nelson's daughter Amy as well as the inclusion of more "adult" material. It's difficult to think of another artist who'd pull together such a unique selection of songs. Nelson tackles odd kid-friendly little ditties from country's past such as "I'm My Own Grandpa" (a 1948 hit for Lonzo & Oscar), the Western swing favorite "Won't You Ride in My Little Red Wagon," and Jimmie Dolan's boogie "Playin' Dominoes and Shootin' Dice," a drinking-and-fighting song that is presumably a cautionary tale for the little ones. The more traditional children's fare ("Four Leaf Clover," "Playmate," title track) comes early on, but by the end of the disc Nelson seems to have lost interest in the album's original premise, moving to hardcore blues ("Outskirts of Town"), Mickey Newbury's psychedelic folk rock ("I Just Dropped In"--daddy, how do you trip on a cloud?), and Newbury's sober, complex "33rd of August." Amy Nelson wrote and sang two delightful kiddie tunes while papa Willie adds one new original, the jaunty, optimistic "Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way." To be sure, Rainbow Connection is a low-key, informal affair, and what would sound sloppy by most other artists is of course endearing by Willie. In the end, this "family CD" is like a bowl of chocolate ice cream: it ain't as special as a sundae or even a cone, but who doesn't like chocolate ice cream? --Marc Greilsamer

Rainbow Connection, Music, Willie Nelson, Willie Nelson, Children's Folk, Country, Country & Western, Country-Pop, Pop

Average customer rating:

A great album

Lost in Underland

Sweet kids & adults album

Better every listen!

A laid-back afternoon with Willie & friends

Rainbow Connection
Willie Nelson
Manufacturer: Island
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music
Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music
General | Children's Music | Styles | Music
Folk Music | Children's Music | Styles | Music
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Release Date: 2001-06-12

Tracks:

Rainbow Connection
I'm Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover
Ol' Blue
Wise Old Me
Won't You Ride In My Little Red Wagon
Playmate
I'm My Own Grandpa
Rock Me To Sleep
Playin Dominoes And Shootin' Dice
Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way
Outskirts of Town
Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)
The 33rd of August

Amazon.com

This charming, super-casual collection began as a children's record and later became a "family" record--a designation that reflects the contributions of Nelson's daughter Amy as well as the inclusion of more "adult" material. It's difficult to think of another artist who'd pull together such a unique selection of songs. Nelson tackles odd kid-friendly little ditties from country's past such as "I'm My Own Grandpa" (a 1948 hit for Lonzo & Oscar), the Western swing favorite "Won't You Ride in My Little Red Wagon," and Jimmie Dolan's boogie "Playin' Dominoes and Shootin' Dice," a drinking-and-fighting song that is presumably a cautionary tale for the little ones. The more traditional children's fare ("Four Leaf Clover," "Playmate," title track) comes early on, but by the end of the disc Nelson seems to have lost interest in the album's original premise, moving to hardcore blues ("Outskirts of Town"), Mickey Newbury's psychedelic folk rock ("I Just Dropped In"--daddy, how do you trip on a cloud?), and Newbury's sober, complex "33rd of August." Amy Nelson wrote and sang two delightful kiddie tunes while papa Willie adds one new original, the jaunty, optimistic "Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way." To be sure, Rainbow Connection is a low-key, informal affair, and what would sound sloppy by most other artists is of course endearing by Willie. In the end, this "family CD" is like a bowl of chocolate ice cream: it ain't as special as a sundae or even a cone, but who doesn't like chocolate ice cream? --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

A great album.......2005-07-29

This is a great album by a great artist.I've bein searching for this for a while, ever since i heard his version of i'm my own grandpa.I new i had to have it.

Lost in Underland.......2003-08-27

While everyone can love one of Willie Nelson's songs, this CD is just disappointing. I was hoping for Willie. A part of him connecting here.

But, if you really listen to the songs, you will find that they are over-engineered. Somebody telling him how to sing, or simply using an amplitude cut during mid sentence. There are a lot of "rushed" lyrics... (While you can hear the real Willie in some of them.. which makes you love the CD).

You'll soon find yourself wondering why that last note faded off without a real reason. For example "Have you been half asleep" on the CD is "have you been half...." it cuts off so fast that you miss any character or value that Willie Nelson brings to a CD. But you can hear his voice carry, but, just unnaturally get cut... His voice is unmistakable, and that quality HE can bring to a song is inmistakable.

Over engineering takes it's bite away from the musician here. While I still recommend the CD, don't expect too much.

Sweet kids & adults album.......2002-05-01

Bottomline: I love this CD. What a great surprise. Hearing Willie sing Rainbow Connection almost brings a tear to my eyes (makes me feel like I am a kid again - watching Kermit the Frog sing this lovely song).

There are some just plain sweet little songs on this record. There are some fun songs, then there are some good blues songs. Point is that they are all good. The last couple of songs don't seem to fit with the whole record, but they are good songs.

I am a huge Willie fan, but the very best part of this record is his daugther Amy's two beautiful children's songs. She has a wonderful voice, and the song she wrote is fun, clever, and cute.

Highly recommend this CD.

Better every listen!.......2002-04-30

I admit it. I thought this was a silly idea for an album, and only purchased it to maintain my collection's completeness. But when I listened to it, I fell in love with its casual flair and its odd take on kiddie standards. Every time I listen to it, I love it more and more.
I am a thirty-something adult with no kids, and I love almost every song on this album (Ol' Blue excluded). This is definitely the musical equivalent of "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" : A surreal trip that leaves you happy. If you are trying to decide which of the latest WIllie albums to buy, this is the one (NOT "The Great Divide").

A laid-back afternoon with Willie & friends.......2002-03-26

Four stars may be a bit high for this CD, but three stars is not enough. Ah, never mind, the 7 and a half minute Outskirts of Town is worth at least four stars alone. This is an incredible song. Basically just Willie, Trigger, and a few friends playing some good bluesy country. This is definitely the highlight. Other standouts include covers of Mickey Newbury's The Twenty-Third of August and Just Dropped In (which is a less produced, rawer, but no less good version that on The Great Divide). I think Willie should definitely do a CD of Mickey Newbury covers.

I'll admit, at first, I felt that Willie's cover of the Rainbow Connection was really sub-par for him, but after a few listens and getting into his phrasings and jazzy guitar picking I began to like it more and more. Won't You Ride In My Little Red Wagon is a song he has done before, and this version is simple and fun as is Playmate. Ol' Blue is a get-a-lump-in-your-throat song about a dog that Willie's grandmother used to sing to him. I'm My Own Grandpa is a hilarious number that Willie does particularly well. The sole song that Willie wrote himself is Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way-which I suppose is the heart of this CD.

So why not five stars? Well, two Songs, Rock Me To Sleep and Wise Old Me, are sung by Willie's daughter, and while she is probably a sweet person, and I don't mean to be mean-her voice really grates on me. You may feel differently, but a sparsely produced effort such as this takes a lot of talent to carry off, and I'm not quite sure if this was the best way for Willie to showcase his daughter's singing. I'm Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover sounds like it was a lot of fun to make. Unfortunately, it is not much fun to listen to.

But the great thing about a CD is that it is easy to skip tracks you don't care for. The bulk of this CD is well worth listening to. I predict you'll play tracks 9 through 13 again after you've heard it through the first time. It's just Willie in his own studio with a couple of friends making simple honest music. If you were disappointed with the lush production of The Great Divide, this is for you. If you loved The Great Divide, but also love Willie and his guitar and little else, this is for you.

The Rainbow Connection
Average customer rating:

This is the best CD...EVER!

The Rainbow Connection
Jr. Kenny Drew
Manufacturer: Evidence
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rainbow Connection

ASIN: B0000060DF
Release Date: 1998-03-17