Willie Nelson - The Great Divide

Like most star-studded superstar comeback albums of the late '80s, '90s, and 2000s, Willie Nelson's The Great Divide isn't meant for longtime fans of the artists, or even the artists themselves; it's meant for listeners who always liked the idea or persona of the featured artist, but never liked the artist's music. That's certainly the case with The Great Divide, which finds Willie Nelson inexplicably recast as an adult alternative artist, singing songs written by Rob Thomas -- who, not coincidentally, led Carlos Santana to the biggest hit of his career in 1999 -- and other professional tunesmiths, all corralled by producer Matt Serietic. Since professionals are involved -- including Nelson himself, who gives an admirable vocal performance throughout -- this is an accomplished, classy album, but it sure as hell isn't a Willie Nelson album. The closest it comes is on the title track, the only song co-written by Nelson himself, and the Bernie Taupin co-written numbers, including a pretty good deliberate ballad called "Let Stand in Open Country" featuring Kid Rock. The rest is radio-ready adult pop, produced fairly well but not inherently interesting, no matter how professional it is. And that's the problem with the record; sure, it may get those who like Nelson the star, but if it alienates those who love his music, including his legions of quiet masterpieces from The Troublemaker to Rainbow Connection, then what's the point? ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Aaron Brougher Production Assistant Alison Krauss Fiddle Bill Talbott Stage Engineer Bonnie Raitt Vocals Brad Dutz Percussion Brian McKnight Vocals Bruce Dukov Concert Master Bruce Fowler Horn Christopher Wade Damerst Programming Curtis Young Vocals (Background) Dan Dugmore Pedal Steel Dan Higgins Horn Danny Saber Programming David Bryant Assistant Engineer David Thoener Engineer, Mixing Dennis Sands Engineer Dennis Wilson Vocals (Background) Derek Carlson Mixing Gabe Witcher Fiddle Greg Leisz Dobro Greg Phillinganes Keyboards Harry Stinson Vocals (Background) Heitor Teixeira Pereira Whistle (Human), Vocals (Background), Guitar Jay Goin Mixing John "J.R." Robinson Drums John Nelson Assistant Engineer John Rodd Assistant Engineer John Wesley Ryles Vocals (Background) Kenny Aronoff Drums Kid Rock Vocals Lee Ann Womack Vocals Lee Sklar Bass Lisa Silver Vocals (Background) Louis Dean Nunley Vocals (Background) Mark Dobson Pro-Tools, Engineer Mark Seliger Photography Matt Rollings Fender Rhodes, Organ (Hammond), Wurlitzer, Piano Matt Serletic Electronics, Vocals (Background), Producer, Orchestral Arrangements Matthew Freeman Project Coordinator Michael Black Vocals (Background) Mickey Raphael Harmonica Neil Stubenhaus Bass Noel Golden Engineer Pete Anthony Conductor Reggie Young Guitar Rick Patrick Art Direction Rob Thomas Vocals Sam Story Assistant Engineer Sheryl Crow Vocals Stacey Robinson Director Stephen Marcussen Mastering Steve Marcantonio Engineer Stewart Whitmore Digital Editing The Water Sisters Vocals (Background) Todd Johnson Assistant Engineer Tom Steel Stage Manager Tosh Kasai Assistant Engineer Valerie Pack Project Coordinator Willie Nelson Vocals, Guitar (Acoustic)