Willie Nelson covers classics, talks

Moment of…Moment of Forever Willie Nelson Lost Highway Records Sounds like: Randy Newman, Dave Matthews

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Forty-five years after he joined the outlaw movement, Willie Nelson is still one of the rebels. Several of the songs on his new album Moment of Forever contain political undertones as well as a few references to the drug that always seems to get him in trouble. The only trouble is, Nelson’s writing could use some improvement.

Nelson improves his repertoire in Forever by remaking songs from artists that range from Kenny Chesney to Dave Matthews.

The album’s weakness lies in the songs that Nelson wrote himself. These lack lyrical creativity and sound like just about every other song that Nelson recorded in his long career.

One such ditty is the opening track, “Over You Again,” where he sings “I gotta get over you again” repeatedly. The music, however, provides a great intro to the album, despite the fact that it doesn’t quite match the words. The guitar solo is mellow and reflective while somehow offering an upbeat rhythm, which creates anticipation for what’s to come.

The best songs from Forever, like those on many of Nelson’s other albums, are the tracks that make a statement, even if it’s subtle.

Big Kenny (of Big ‘ Rich) wrote “The Bob Song,” and it has some political undertones. Highly intriguing, it begins with a whoosh of wind and the little-heard voice of Nelson’s: low, creepy, like something you’d hear in the trailer for a horror movie as he describes a pirate named Bob.

This song quickly shifts gears as a sousaphone kicks in with music that belongs on the “Pirates of the Caribbean” soundtrack. Nelson switches back to his normal singing voice and informs listeners about his subject.

The song seems to be a commentary on the war, and Bob just might represent President George W. Bush. “B-o-b Bob was a drunken old slob