According to Amanda Shires, the late piano player Bobbie Nelson was a huge inspiration on her career.
“Much of my path seemed possible because I saw a woman working and making a career of music at a young age, and that woman was Bobbie Nelson.”
Bobbie Nelson passed away in March of 2022, at the age of 91. The sister of Willie Nelson, she was the longtime piano player for his band The Family, and began her career in the 1950’s. Her final album, a collaboration with Amanda Shires called Loving You was released on June 23, 2023.
The two women from different generations of Americana and country music completed the album of duets during the pandemic. Largely focusing on standards from country and western music, the album is a celebration of Bobbie Nelson’s life and the music she loved.
The album begins with the popular bar room dance song “Waltz Across Texas”, first recorded by Earnest Tubbs in 1965. Nelson’s lively piano puts the waltz in the song and is matched by the twang in Shires’ singing.
Another standard track is their version of “Old Fashioned Love”, where Shires’ fiddle shines on the lead melody. Later on, Willie Nelson joins the party for “Summertime”.
It is hard to imagine how many times throughout their lives the Nelson siblings have performed the song. This time around, Bobbie’s piano is the anchor. Willie and Shires share the vocal duties, with her voice soaring and his holding down the fort.
Loving You is a fitting final act to the incredible life and career of Bobbie Nelson, and it is KAXE/KBXE’s Album of the Week for June 30 – July 6, 2023. You can see Amanda Shires perform, alongside Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Shemekia Copeland and Dessa at the Grand Rapids Riverfest on Saturday, September 9.
-
Contributed/KAXEFresh Picks: Location, location, location! Pacific NW, Absaroke, Cairo and The Lijadu Sisters in '76The KAXE staff highlights our album of the week from Orquestra Pacífico Tropical and a load of songs from artists like Wild Horses, along with our Pick from '76 featuring The Lijadu Sisters. -
Contributed/KAXEThe KAXE Music Team highlights recent singles and albums you should listen to including releases from Tift Merritt, Lizzie No, The California Honeydrops and Danielle Ponder. -
Malachy Koons/KAXEThe KAXE Music Team on new music from Duane Betts, LOV, Bella White, Greg Mendez, Molly Brandt, Sosyete '25, Crooked Fingers, and Blondie's debut from '76. -
Malachy Koons/KAXEThe KAXE Music Team on new music from Baby Cool, Jalen Ngonda, Bedouine, Ryan Bingham, Ibibio Sound Machine, Mollie Elizabeth, Ruthie Foster, Seun Kuti, and John Hartford in '76. -
Malachy Koons/KAXEThe KAXE Music Team on new music from Deer Tick, Brian Jackson, Bebe Stockwell, MADMADMAD and Orquesta Akokán. -
Malachy Koons/KAXEThe KAXE Music Team on new music from Sweet Megg, Mexican Institute of Sound and Meridian Brothers, Telehealth, Nathan Evans Fox, Mina Moore, Caroline Rose and Kara McKee. Plus Parliament in '76.
