Album Review – Bobbie Nelson & Amanda Shires – “Loving You”
This somewhat unexpected but quite agreeable pairing of Bobbie Nelson and Amanda Sires results in an album of classic country songs and pop standards that is a perfectly delightful listen. Most importantly though, Loving You is demonstrably effective at exposing the stellar attributes of these two women of music in their most unmistakable and elemental form, unarguably endearing their legacies to a favorable regard in the present and future tense.
According to her brother, Bobbie Nelson was always the real musician of the Nelson clan. Where Willie’s style has always been a sort of an impromptu and unscripted variation of “flying by the seat of your pants,” sister Bobbie was the one with deep musical knowledge and compositional prowess, putting purpose behind her playing. Born on New Years Day, 1931, she would spend nearly 80 years playing piano for her brother among other pursuits, and frankly, unfairly overshadowed by Willie’s towering legacy that entire time.
Though Amanda Shires is mostly synonymous with contemporary Americana veering into the pop and rock realm these days, those who’ve followed her career know she started in music as a fiddle prodigy from Lubbock that was an official member of the Texas Playboys, and played with all kinds of Texas music legends on her way up. This included Billy Joe Shaver who convinced Shires to move to Nashville and develop her career as a singer and songwriter.
Amanda Shires first saw Bobbie Nelson performing on stage with Willie Nelson when she was 16. Seeing a woman up there with all the guys helped give Shires the inspiration to continue her music career in what was very much a man’s world. Fast forward to more recent history, Amanda wanted to record a version of “Always On My Mind” for a recent album, and wanted to include Bobbie Nelson as part of the recording session. Once they were in the studio together, magic ensued, and stopping at just one song seemed irresponsible.
The Amanda Shires version of “Always On My Mind” with Bobbie Nelson crowns this Loving You collaboration, with Shires turning in a shiver-inducing tour de force studio performance, justifying this album if nothing else does. “Summertime” also sells Shires the vocalist, with Willie making an appearance as well, even if he recently recorded the same song for his Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin tribute.
It’s fair to say that the song selection of Loving You is a rather pedestrian mix of the classic country/classic pop commonly found in the Willie Nelson universe. “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground” makes an appearance. “Waltz Across Texas” and “Over The Rainbow” are somewhat predictable selections. The songs for the album were selected with both Bobbie and Amanda giving their feedback.
What is indisputable is that each selection is a rather spectacular display of these two women’s talents. Bobbie’s playing paired with Amanda’s singing results in sweet harmony, and Amanda’s fiddle work also codifies certain critical moments, though her divisively scratchy and purposely dissonant style makes an appearance in the middle of “Summertime” to questionable results.
Loving You is a great album for putting on and leaving playing in the background. And when these versions of “Always On My Mind” or “Over The Rainbow” hit you when you’re in the right mood—perhaps when the sky is turning red in the evening, or when the blood alcohol level makes you sentimental—they can be quite intoxicating.
Bobbie Nelson passing away on March 10th, 2022 at the age of 91 puts the importance of this album into even sharper focus, and instills a poignancy behind the moments it captures, especially the two instrumental tracks near the end. The emergence of Loving You in this moment really helps underscore why Bobbie Nelson should be regarded as way more than just Willie Nelson’s sister, and why Amanda Shires is much more than just Jason Isbell’s wife.
8/10
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Purchase Loving You
July 3, 2023 @ 10:02 am
I’ve liked Bobbie Nelson for all of her piano contributions to Willie’s albums and concerts. Her duet album of gospel songs with Willie, “Just As I Am,” is an enjoyable record at many levels of listening. On the other hand, I’m not a fan of Amanda Shires’ vocals, but she is a decent fiddle player who contributes some magical four string textures with her violin. This collection is a bland assortment of songs that I wouldn’t listen to a second time. To me, there are much better versions. That is not to knock Bobbie’s piano playing at all, which is the highlight (and focus) of the album. Overall, this album is a nice tribute to Bobbie’s musicianship. I don’t mean to sound negative, but this record doesn’t click with me. YMMV.
July 4, 2023 @ 11:22 am
I actually feel the opposite about Amanda. I like her singing but think her fiddle playing is really mediocre these days.
July 3, 2023 @ 5:45 pm
I haven’t listened to Shires since “My Piece Of Land” but I preordered this immediately. I missed the limited edition, though. I love it for what it is. Lot of admiration from Shires towards Ms. Bobbie, Willie, Shaver (as Trigger referenced earlier).
July 4, 2023 @ 7:49 am
Good stuff
July 4, 2023 @ 2:31 pm
Amanda Shires is a nut job. Exhibit A in the evidence is that she puts up with her dope head husband!.
July 4, 2023 @ 3:17 pm
And then there’s the counterargument that she took the time to make an album with an 90-year-old country legend at the end of their life that will help highlight their legacy. It’s pretty hard to hate on that.
July 5, 2023 @ 2:42 am
It’s possible you are correct. But, it’s also possible she did it more for herself than Mrs. Nelson. I probably shouldn’t hate on her because her husband is a total douche; he’s talented, but seems like an absolutely miserable human. I’m just sick and tired of these people, regardless of viewpoint, dividing us and interjecting politics into everything.
July 5, 2023 @ 7:37 am
The only person talking about politics here is you Bibs. This album review has nothing to do with Shire’s husband nor her husband’s political views.
You’re complaining about people being divisive while also calling an artist’s husband “a total douche”. Come on now…
July 5, 2023 @ 7:53 am
Hey Bibs,
I’m tired of the division too. I have called out Jason Isbell for his polarizing and unnecessarily divisive behavior in the past, as well as Amanda Shires for some of her hypocrisy. But ultimately, I am a music writer, not a political one. And regardless of my feelings about these people’s personal or political behavior, when it comes to album reviews, it is my job to put all personal grievances aside, and judge the music on its own merit. Bobbie Nelson was an important person in country music, and this album helps illustrate why. This is the kind of album a lot of people talk about doing, but never do. Amanda Shires did, and I give her credit for that.
July 5, 2023 @ 4:08 am
Everything Shires does seems cold and calculated.
July 5, 2023 @ 5:20 am
I really like Amanda Shires’ music, but unfortunately she doesn’t agree with my politics, so I don’t listen to her. Artists must agree with my political and religious beliefs or I don’t support them.
July 5, 2023 @ 7:48 am
You don’t listen to much do you? I don’t give a shit about an artists beliefs. I’ll listen to Isbell or Nugent. I do wish they would shut up.
July 5, 2023 @ 11:44 am
Lots! Travis Tritt, Hank Jr., Aaron Lewis, Big Rich etc. All god fearing patriots. No Bud Light or Kale for those good ole boys. Praise Jesus and pass the ammo.
July 5, 2023 @ 11:57 am
Folks, this is an album review about music. It would be super freaking awesome if we kept the discussion on that.
July 5, 2023 @ 12:07 pm
Well said Triggerman. I couldn’t agree more. The last thing we need is a bunch of godless commies flooding the comments section. Bless you sir!
July 5, 2023 @ 12:25 pm
Comments closed.