Willie Nelson - Across the Borderline

Across the Borderline was produced in 1993 by Don Was, then flush with work following his helming of Bonnie Raitt's commercial breakthrough, Nick of Time. In fact, his celebrated clients at the time included everyone from Iggy Pop to Neil Diamond. Here he surrounds Willie Nelson with a vast cast of superstar admirers that includes Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and Lyle Lovett. If the thought of Nelson and Lyle Lovett dueting on Peter Gabriel "Don't Give Up" with Mark Isham blowing dulcet trumpet lines above it all gives you the willies, surprisingly, it shouldn't. In fact, it's a highlight of this very successful all-star album. Nelson, coming off a dry spell, sounds invigorated, the material is strong, and the musicianship sparkles. --Steven Stolder Amazon.com

Finest since Red Head Stranger

This is the finest thing Willie has done since Red Headed Stranger. I don't care if you're a big fan of his or not, get this CD. Not a bad song one, and the originals are classics. I can listen to this over and over and not get tired of it...he'll never do anything as good again, I'm afraid. Just saw him at Bonnaroo and he was great! July 15, 2008

A classic 1990s country record

As the album review states, Don Was (of Was [Not Was]) fame, produced this wonderful 1993 record from Willie Nelson. He had established himself as a well-respected producer after producing Bonnie Raitt's 1989 masterpiece 'Nick Of Time.'

But, having Was' name is just one of the many reasons to listen to the record. 'Across The Borderline' remains, in my opinion, one of the most important country music records of the 1990s. Willie's voice is in top shape, and his band is at it's best.

Willie puts his own original workings on Paul Simon's classic 'Graceland' and Lyle Lovett's 'Farther On Down The Line.' And, one of my favorite Willie songs is 'The Most Unoriginal Sin,' which features a mixture of the classic 1970s country sound and the modern sound.

Released on Columbia, 'Across The Borderline' is a must have for any Willie fan. Highly recommended for anybody who likes Willie. ENJOY!!! April 1, 2008

Some of Willie's best collaborations.

One of my favorite artists and one of his best albums.

These songs are all powerful in their own way. I first came across this album when I was a little homesick while stationed in Puerto Rico in the U.S. Army back in 1993. I wore out the cassette listening to it.

Willie's rendition of "Graceland" is top notch, as good as the fella who wrote the song Paul Simon... and with equal feeling. Willie was a friend to Elvis, too, and as many of us know wrote many of Elvis' songs.

"Getting Over You" with Bonnie Raitt is wonderful.

I could list every song and why it's good, but I'll let the listener discover for themselves why I give this work Five Stars...

What can I say about Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan singing "Heartland" together. They've toured together numerous times and they are very good friends, two of America's very best songwriters. This is an important song for farmers and Farm-Aid, bringing awareness to their cause on a number of levels.

"The Most Unoriginal Sin" is a very old tune that I am glad Willie Nelson has redid. His version is the best I've heard.

1. American Tune - (with Paul Simon)
2. Getting Over You - (with Bonnie Raitt)
3. Most Unoriginal Sin, The
4. Don't Give Up - (with Sinead O'Connor)
5. Heartland - (with Bob Dylan)
6. Across The Borderline
7. Graceland - (with Paul Simon)
8. Farther Down The Line
9. Valentine
10. What Was It You Wanted
11. I Love The Life I Live
12. If I Were The Man You Wanted
13. She's Not For You
14. Still Is Still Moving To Me

I could list every song and why it's good, but I'll let the listener discover for themselves why I give this work Five Stars...a don't miss!
December 6, 2007

Good Country with Some good duets

Willie Nelson's Across the Borderline is a classic album. On this record there are songs that range from covers (ranging from Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel) and originals. Plus the guest appearances are amazing. Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt, Sinead O'Connor, and Bob Dylan lend their talents to this record. My favorite song is Heartland which Nelson cowrote with Dylan. This collaboration results in a real personal poetic song. Favorites include American Tune (with Paul Simon on lead guitar), Getting over You (with Bonnie Raitt), Most Unoriginal Sin, Don't Give Up (with Sinead O'Connor), Heartland (with Bob Dylan), Graceland, What Was It You Wanted?, Farther Down the Line, and If I Were the Man You Wanted. Highly Highly Recommended. August 5, 2005

Typically eclectic album featuring stellar cast of guests

As with so many of Willie's albums, this album is not easy to classify, but it contains elements of several genres including country, pop, rock, folk and blues, all blended together in Willie's own inimitable style.

Willie duets with Bonnie Raitt on Getting over you, Sinead O'Connor on Don't give up (originally a hit duet for Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush) and Bob Dylan on Heartland. Elsewhere on this album, Willie sings solo, but Paul Simon plays guitar on a couple of his own songs - American tune and Graceland. The set closes with a song he has recorded a few times - Still is still moving to me.

This was the last album of original material that Willie recorded for Columbia. It does not contain any of Willie's classics but it's all good stuff, especially those duets with Bonnie and Sinead. April 28, 2005

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