You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
Though Willie Nelson's thematic albums in recent years have been hit-and-miss, this labor of love is a thorough delight. One Texas legend pays tribute to another and evokes the inspiration of a third, as Nelson puts his stylistic signature on the songbook of Cindy Walker, with arrangements channeling the spirit of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys (whose most familiar songs include many of Walker's). Nelson's conversational phrasing refreshes the familiar title track and brings out the soulful depths of heartfelt (and heartsick) balladry such as "Not That I Care." The nimble band features the interplay of Playboys alum Johnny Gimble on fiddle and the legendary Buddy Emmons on steel guitar, under the production of Nashville veteran Fred Foster. Saloon songs such as "Bubbles in My Beer" and "The Warm Red Wine" meet the mythic West of "Cherokee Maiden" and "Dusty Skies" and the weathered resilience of "Don't Be Ashamed of Your Age" and "I Don't Care," as the collection pays testament not only to Walker's range, but to Nelson's interpretive mastery. --Don McLeese

Album Description
Produced by Fred Foster, the man behind such stars as Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, & Kris Kristofferson, You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker is truly a return to form for Willie. The band performing on the record is made up of several of Nashville's premier session players, who successfully capture the spirit and sound of classic country music. All songs were written by Country Music Hall of Fame inductee (1997), Cindy Walker. At 87, she has a long list of writing credits to her name, which include: "Dusty Skies" recorded by Spade Cooley, Bob Wills, & The Sons of the Pioneers, "Cherokee Maiden" recorded by Bob Wills, Merle Haggard, & Mel Tillis, "Warm Red Wine" recorded by Ernest Tubb and George Jones, "You Don't Know Me" recorded by Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Jimmy Dean, Henry Mancini, & many more The single, "You Don't Know Me" was made most famous by Willie's close friend Ray Charles on The Modern Sounds of Country and Western Music. "I loved her music," Nelson says of Walker's catalog of playful saloon songs and heartfelt ballads. "Even before we met I felt like I knew her from listening to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys do her songs. Every night of the week as a teenager I was playing things like "Miss Molly" and "I Was Just Walking Out The Door" somewhere.

Customer Reviews: Read 21 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Five stars isn't nearly enough April 17, 2006
38 out of 40 found this review helpful

I have found that there are four types of country-minded songwriters. The first two (those who can't write, and those whose artistic success comes sporadically, at best), I won't bother with. The third category of songwriters are those who create elaborate tapestries with words. These are your Dylan's and Kristofferson's; artists who milk language for everything it is worth (I'm not insulting their talent; I personally am a big Kristofferson fan). The fourth type of songwriter uses simple language; they keep it real and honest, and cut straight to the bone. This is where Cindy Walker (and, not-coincidently, Willie Nelson) falls.

This album is a testament to the honesty of country music. Want proof? I saw the video of "You Don't Know Me" and immediately went out and bought the album. Why? Because it summarizes, word for word, what I'm going through in my life right now. How about "Not That I Care," with its subtle blend of sorrow and non-chalance? Or the heartbreaking "Dusty Skies?" Or the witty "Don't Be Ashamed of Your Age?" Or the genuinely romantic "I Don't Care?" These are songs that cut to the quick, that grab your heart and don't let go. This is a 13-track journey through the heart and soul of what makes country music the honest, hard-working music it is.

Aside from a stirring tribute to one of country's greatest songwriters, YOU DON'T KNOW ME: THE SONGS OF CINDY WALKER is a testament to the artistic capabilities of Willie Nelson. His voice has never sounded finer, as he sings straight from the heart. The album also features the return of producer extraordinaire Fred Foster, who introduced the world to such artists as Roy Orbison and the afore-mentioned Kris Kristofferson. Three brilliant minds went into creating this album; and with the help of stellar musicians (including beautiful harmonies by the Jordanaires), they crafted a classic country record. YOU DON'T KNOW ME: THE SONGS OF CINDY WALKER is destined to become one of those records you don't forget. It will tug at your heartstrings, it will make you smile and dance. And, if nothing else, it features stone-cold country music; and, I kid you not, twin fiddling. Willie Nelson, along with some of his good friends and partners in crime, has created yet another country music masterpiece. It's truly a timeless record.

4 out of 5 stars

Swingin' Willie March 19, 2006
27 out of 29 found this review helpful

This is an excellent CD. The songs are (of course) outstanding, and Willie (for the most part) does a great job. The musicianship is first class, and the production is well-done. My only complaint is that Willie screws up "Bubbles in my beer"! I've heard the original many, many times and also Willie's version on "Shotgun Willie". Listen to both, and you'll see what I mean. He kind of turns the bridge into a chorus. Other than that, this is a good listen all the way through. Standouts include "It's all your fault", "Warm red wine", "Miss molly", and "Sugar moon". Anyone who likes Willie doing swing and jazz (my favorite style of his) will dig this CD

5 out of 5 stars

Don't Give Up On Willie! March 15, 2006
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

Since I've been a fan of Willie Nelson's since the eary '70's I think I'm a pretty good judge of his work. For the last 5 or 6 years Willie has been devoting alot of his career to singing with alot of the newer Country artists who admire Willie's work for many reasons. I mention that because even though I have enjoyed alot of that vein that he was in, I continually was longing for just good 'ole "Willie Nelson" music. During that period Willie's voice often seemed to be weakening, which I guess you can expect from a 73 year-old singer who has been doing 200 plus shows a year for more than 30 years. Then, all of a sudden Willie puts out an album in 2004 titled "It Always Will Be", and knocks my socks off! The voice is sounding better, and the selection of songs was fantastic. If you Willie fans don't have it, buy it and sit back and relax, and enjoy yourself.

Now today, March 14, 2006, Willie releases something that he's wanted to do for years, a tribute to the great Texas songwriter, Cindy Walker called "You Don't Know Me". Well folks, I think with this one and the previous album I mentioned, we finally have Willie back again, doing what he does best.This is one of the best albums Willie has done in the past dozen years. His voice is stronger than it's been in a long time. Every song out of the 13 are winners, not a bad cut on the album. The only thing that I was upset with was when it was over. I wanted more. It's that good. And, what an all-star lineup of musicians Willie has playing with him. To name the ones who really stand out: Buddy Emmons on Steel Guitar, who Willie has played with it seems like his whole career; Gordon More on piano, and as good as he's ever been, the great Johnny Gimble, Willie's old buddy from Bob Wills and His Texas Playboy fame. People, if you love Willie Nelson when he sings ballads, and if you are a fan of Texas Swing, you have to treat yourself to this album. Supposedly Willie did enough Cindy Walker songs to fill three albums. I can't wait for the next one.(Hope you read this Will). Now, if we can just get Willie in the studio with Merle Haggard to do a whole new album again, instead of just a tune here and there, we'll have "real country music" back again! Thanks, Willie! You still got it!

5 out of 5 stars

Yet another great thematic album by the great Willie Nelson March 22, 2006
11 out of 15 found this review helpful

Altough I know Willie Nelson for years, I haven't digged into his catalogue since quite recently. I bought his last three albums when they came out. It Always Will Be from 2004 is fantastic, but the last two concept albums are top notch. Country Man is a regea album (released last summer) witch got mixed reviews (I love it, though), and this one focuses on country swing songs by Cindy Walker.

All is perfect on this album, the production, the band, the songs, the voice...A really catchy album with a coherent feeling to it...It really transports you to the 30's or 40's...Very well done! Willie Nelson gets better and I guess his best work is still ahead of him...Cant wait until the next one!

4 out of 5 stars

Master minds at work July 9, 2006
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Listening to this cd I am amazed at the variety of talents all on one cd (why one though? I do hope there is a vol 2 in the vaults somewhere) Last month you could have asked me who Cindy Walker was and I honestly didn't have a clue - but listening to all these songs, that I already knew from a variety of artists; the woman bowls me over.

Everyone involved on this cd is a master in their own right and the end product is pure joy for the speakers. Their love, and respect, for good music is evident and I am most grateful.

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