Stories

Willie Nelson & Lucinda Williams’ Cover Of Billy Joe Shaver’s “Live Forever” Has People In Tears

When two legends come together to work on something, you should expect nothing short of spectacular. Willie Nelson and Lucinda Williams recently released a cover of Billy Joe Shaver’s “Live Forever,” and the song’s reception has been good so far. The song is part of a twelve-song album, Live Forever: A Tribute To Billy Joe Shaver, made to honor Billy. 

James of Whiskey Riff recounted his experience the first time he listened to the song considering he was scared about how Willie and Lucinda’s distinct voices would sound harmonious. “When I saw their names listed together, I was simultaneously excited and worried. How would two such distinct voices pair? I felt that it was going to go one of two ways: like beer and brisket, or oil and water,” he recalled. 

Live Forever

WAG THE DOG, Willie Nelson, 1997, ©New Line Cinema/courtesy Everett Collection

He described both stars’ voices as opposites, “Lucinda’s a mixture of concrete, barbed wire and gravel road, and Willie’s worn like faded leather. Both classic, and both distinctly their own.”

RELATED: WATCH: Dolly Parton And Willie Nelson Ride Golf Cart Through Dollywood

In his quest to further show his optimism, he revealed, “The song starts with the unmistakable acoustic riff, baked by a rolling snare; the sound of Trigger, Willie’s guitar, then cuts through. Like his singing, the tone and style of Willie’s guitar playing is a form of its own. Weaving in and out of time, like running water, it’s a guitar style that knows no boundary. His voice then arrives like an old friend, in true Willie fashion.”

Lucinda Williams, 1998.

However, the part he was most concerned about finally came in with no hassle, and James heaved a sigh of relief. “As Lucinda’s backing vocals made their way in, I held my breath…sat back… and smiled. While I had worried that her accentuated and often abrasive singing style would overpower Willie’s, it actually did the opposite, giving the lead vocal lift, and added character,” he concluded.  

THE BEST DEMOCRACY MONEY CAN BUY, (aka THE BEST DEMOCRACY MONEY CAN BUY: A TALE OF BILLIONAIRES AND BALLOT BANDITS), Willie Nelson, 2016. © Cinema Libre Studio / courtesy Everett Collection

Listen to the full cover of “Live Forever” by Willie Nelson and Lucinda Williams below.

 

Show comments
Share
Published by

Recent Posts

‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ Star Jason Priestley Shares Why He Ditched LA For Nashville

Jason Priestly has kept his schedule busy as ever, with a new television credit already…

1 hour ago

Kyra Sedgwick Admits She And Kevin Bacon “Fooled Around” On Set Together

Theirs has been quite the romance since they got married in 1988, and according to…

13 hours ago

Clint Eastwood, Rival To John Wayne, Thought The Duke Was “Brilliant” In This Role

Clint Eastwood and John Wayne were two icons of the Western drama, yet they represented…

23 hours ago

Some Homeowners Are Just Discovering Milk Doors And How To Repurpose Them

Many features have come and gone within the blueprint of the ideal home. But their…

1 day ago

Mama Cass’ Daughter Admits She Never Knew Her Father’s Name Until She Turned 19

Cass Elliot a.k.a Mama Cass’ daughter Owen Elliot-Kugell recently released a book titled My Mama,…

2 days ago

Princess Charlotte Celebrates 9th Birthday—See Adorable Photo Taken By Mom Kate Middleton

Amidst a flood of familial turmoil, the royal family has had cause to celebrate, as…

2 days ago