February 17, 2003
CRAZY -- THE DEMO SESSIONS
By FISH GRIWKOWSKY

CRAZY -- THE DEMO SESSIONS
Willie Nelson
(Sugar Hill)

"This would be a perfect time to die. I'd like to take this opportunity to cry." Ow, Willie. Mr. Nelson was certainly a very sad songwriter when he first rolled into Nashville in 1960, but these solo demo songs from around then sure do hit home.

'Twas one of these tracks, Crazy, that Patsy Cline heard and built two careers on: Hers and Willie's. Of course, Nelson's dark lyrics are responsible, interesting because he seems like such a happy guy now despite his endless financial troubles. A couple of songs, like Darkness on the Face of the Earth and Three Days, showed up redone on Teatro. Their resilience is understandable. I've Just Destroyed the World is another ancient beaut.

The recording levels are poor, but the feeling is there. Halfway through, Nelson picks up a studio band, which is where the stellar Crazy and A Moment Isn't Very Long show up. Then enjoy the upbeat The Local Memory and I Gotta Get Drunk. The couple of hidden tracks and a Quicktime video make this a must-have for longtime members of the Willie army. (More on Willie Nelson)

Track Listing
1. Opportunity To Cry
2. Three Days
3. Undo The Right
4. What Do You Think Of Her Now
5. I've Just Destroyed The World
6. Permanently Lonely
7. Are You Sure
8. Darkness On The Face Of The Earth
9. Things To Remember
10. A Moment Isn't Very Long
11. Crazy
12. The Local Memory
13. I Gotta Get Drunk
14. Something To Think About
15. I'm Still Here