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Ride Me Back Home is the sixty-ninth studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson. It was released on June 21, 2019, by Legacy Recordings.
Background
During an interview on Sirius XM Satellite Radio, aired on April 13, 2019 Nelson announced the release of the album. The material consists mostly of original writings by producer Buddy Cannon and Nelson. Meanwhile, the title-track was written by Sonny Throckmorton. Nelson decided to record "Ride Me Back Home" for his own advocacy for horses. On Cannon's suggestion, a revisited version of "Stay Away from Lonely Places" from 1972's The Words Don't Fit the Picture was included.
The first single, its title-track was released on April 26, 2019. Ride Me Back Home completed the "Mortality Trilogy" of Nelson, complementing God's Problem Child and Last Man Standing.
User Album Review
Who says growing old can't be fun? Willie Nelson makes it sound like a gas on Ride Me Back Home, his latest LP and one of the best in the living legend's long and storied catalogue.
A prime example of Nelson's laudably upbeat attitude on this deftly dynamic record is "Come On Time." Its shuffling rhythm and zippy harmonica complement the outlaw country icon's jaunty delivery, as he sings about the passing years being an old rival, and perhaps even a true friend who has left "lines on my face… you're winning the race." Another key track is "One More Song to Write." It finds Nelson singing about penning a final tune over a Latin-flavoured guitar solo dripping in whimsy, as drums gallop surely likely the horse that the country vet is petting on the album's cover art.
Another creative cut: "Just the Way You Are" a 40-year-old Billy Joel hit stripped of its synths for which Nelson and company offer up heartfelt singing, along with a swaying harmonica riff. It's a sentimental love song that Nelson delivers tenderly enough to leave you misty-eyed.
These tracks and more prove the octogenarian has as much grit and vigour as country stars a fraction of his age. Indeed, Nelson performs so deftly on Ride Me Back Home that you'll feel the urge to ask this aged outlaw to hop back in the saddle for yet another spryly exciting ride.
Reviewed by Kyle Mullin for exclaim.ca.
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