Bargain Audio CDs & Priceless Collection (series)

City of New Orleans

by Willie Nelson

Product Description:

Personnel: Willie Nelson (vocals, guitar); Chips Moman, J.R. Cobb (guitar, background vocals); Reggie Young (guitar); The A Strings (strings); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Jon Marett (alto saxophone); Donald Sanders (baritone saxophone); Wayne Jackson (trumpet); Bobby Wood (keyboards, background vocals); Bobby Emmons (keyboards); Mike Leech (bass); Gene Chrisman (drums); Toni Wine, Rick Yancey, Andy Black, Sherrill Parks (background vocals).

Engineers: David Cherry, Chips Moman, Larry Greenhill.

By the mid-1980s, Willie was consistently topping the country charts. He had also softened his sound, opting to record with smooth Nashville studio musicians rather than his funkier live band (although distinctive harmonica player Mickey Raphael continued to appear on Willie's albums). CITY OF NEW ORLEANS typifies this period of Willie's career. The album consists entirely of ballads, only one of which--"Why Are You Pickin' On Me"--was written by Willie. Other tracks include the Steve Goodman-penned title track, previously a hit for Arlo Guthrie; the rhythm-and-blues standard "Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Empty Arms);" David Loggins' "Please Come to Boston;" and "Wind Beneath My Wings," later a huge hit for Bette Midler. The sound of this record is mellow and easy on the ears, as was much of country hit radio during this period.