Am i the only one who feels that Willie Nelson is one of the most talented songwriters of the 20th century? I know country music doesn't get many props in here, but He is a genius beyond a doubt. Look at the timeless songs he's written both for himself and others:

"Crazy"
"Hello Walls"
"Night Life"
"On the Road Again"
"A Good Hearted Woman"

there is scarecly a clunker in the bunch. And there's just something about his voice which lends depth and meaning to any song. If Soul is taken to mean emotional depth and feeling, then Willie has it in abundence. Listen to him sing "Always on My Mind" and if it doesn't bring a tear to your eye, then you have no heart. I really dislike modern country music, and when i look at why i dislike it so much, i think it's because it lacks something which Willie Nelson brought to all of his work, and that's heart.

My husband is a big fan of Willie's. I have come to appreciate his music over the years.

byronic said:

Good is good regardless of genre. He and Kristofferson are good writers.

byronic said:

Modern country is no longer country...it's pop with a bit of country flava.

anon said:

oh yeah, Kris Kristofferson is one of my favorites, in fact i think "Sunday Morning Coming Down" is in my top 5 songs of all time, especially Johnny Cash's version.
[Edited 7/2/05 22:41pm]

byronic said:

I know what you're talking about. I grew up listening to his music. Willie is definitely one of the greats in Country Music and I would put in him in the class of other Country greats such as Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Alabama, Tanya Tucker, Dolly Pardon, and Don Williams just to name a few. The Country Music today lacks the depth that the Old School Country had b/c they try to damn hard to be Pop and Hip-Hop.

Hotlegs said:

the 70's were definately the golden age when it comes to country, thanks mostly to the outlaw country movement which turned it's back on Nashville and tried to create something real. Country needs new outlaws now.

Willie is my equivalent of Elvis or MJ. The guy is a genius. One of the most underestimated songwriters out there and definitly the most underestimated guitar-player alive. To me he's at the same level as Bob Dylan. And just as it is with Dylan, people kinda take him for granted...They both had a huge impact on popular music and both don't get the respect they deserve...the critics may love them, but the general audience is more concerned with what shania was wearing yesterday.

As for kris Kristofferson...he REALLY doesn't get the credit he deserves. Best songwriter EVER imho.

I agree that it's time some new outlaws shook things up again. III's doing allright, but lacks the support of a decent label...but he'll make some impact before his day is over. you can bet on that. Kevin Fowler is doing allright as well... But what's really encouraging is that the honky-tonk circuit hasn't been this alive & kickin in ages. The country indie-scene is filled with extraordinary talent ready to take center-stage as soon as this country-crossover trend begins to fade.

kev1n said:

Kris is not only Country song writing legend but he is Rock song legend as well. He used to write songs for Janis Joplin as well.