Willie Nelson and his family band played a sold out show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, on September 3, 2006. It was a memorable concert of this masterful musician. Willie sounded great, and his guitar playing was stellar, as always. He came out in a plaid flannel shirt, and you wanted to hug him. It's nice to see him on a show outside, it's cool and he has on something with long sleeves and cuddley.
Willie looked tired when he started at Whiskey River. but I thought he had been driving bus hours and hours from California, maybe play some golf on the way - he had to be exhausted. He rolled in "Still Moving Still" as smoothly, and then he just left, and took us all with him. By the time he joined Bobby McGee, he was peeling off his flannel shirt, the roar of the women in the crowd, pulled a sweet shy smile of Willie.
Willie says Red Rocks is his favorite place, and I must say that he Red Rocks' favorite as well. I could see Willie picking up the fans' energy. It was a loving appreciative crowd, and thanked us many times Willie (as we thank him!), and say, "I can hear you. Thank you." I love when he says he can hear us. At one point he said: "Red Rocks You're the best." No Willie, you're the greatest.
Willie sang a song that I have not heard in a while, "Sweet Memories". It was so beautiful. And he sang his new song, "You Do not Think I'm Funny Anymore." It was such a crowd pleaser. It's been a hit. Jody Willie has a beautiful version of Pancho and Lefty, and long guitar bridges, (is that word) in "Me and Bobby McGee" gave me goose bumps. No Working Man's Blues, but a very animated "Me and Paul."
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band opened their set was good. That was just about as much as I like bluegrass. They played some new stuff, some old favorites, as Mr BoJangle under certain Beach Boys and Beatles songs, and threw in some traditional blue grass. John banjo / fiddle / guitar player is such a great musician and always so animated, it was a pleasure to see him. Everyone in the band sings, so the drummer / harmonica player joined on the mic for several songs, like the keyboard. She came out and joined Willie Will The Circle Be Unbroken, which was very appropriate. Taylor Hicks, American Idol man came on stage and sang with the Dirt Band and Willie. When he walked in the girl next to me shouted in my ear, "That's Taylor Hicks, American Idol." But For me there was only one American Idol on stage last night.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper was sitting in the VIP section. When I left I passed a dozen parked limousines waiting for Willie fans, all dressed up for a good time with Willie. There is something so magical at Red Rocks: the sun, the moon rises, Willie is on stage with the fierce Denver lights shining like diamonds behind him. Pure magic.