Phosphorescent - To Willie (2009)

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They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but I say covers records are just a wee bit overdone. An album of Willie Nelson covers as interpreted by Phosphorescent, however? Uh, where do I sign up?

To Willie, Matthew Houck’s full-length follow-up of sorts to 2007’s lovely Pride, finds the songwriter putting his distinct stamp on 11 Nelson originals– and not the obvious ones. Houck reportedly probed deep to come up with his source material and emerged with what the liner notes call “an unabashed musical love letter” and what the press release calls “a glorious hangover of an album.” Shucks, you people should do music crit.

Dead Oceans will deliver this musical love letter on February 3, and it’s apparently only the first of two Phosphorescent albums coming our way soon. For now, though, Houck is finalizing his plans to tour “everywhere” in the months to come. Really, dude? Like, everywhere everywhere? Even the moon? Pitchfork