Pretty Paper

.com The year 1978, when this graceful, laidback holiday selection was recorded, was a commercial and artistic highlight for the redheaded stranger. The disc was produced by deep-soul giant Booker T., who lends his considerable funk-tinged keyboards and arranging prowess to the session as well. Like Stardust, the million-selling disc that Booker had also produced for Nelson that year, Pretty Paper is an exercise in restrained--yet emotional--outlaw country. The highlight is Nelson's lovely take on "Pretty Paper," a song he wrote and gave to Roy Orbison, who had a big hit with it in 1964. Meanwhile, the many holiday songs simply sparkle with a relaxed, happy vibe. Nelson shows that you can sing "Here Comes Santa Claus" and transform it into an unschmaltzy classic of mellow country boogie. Really. (Well, he could.) --Mike McGonigal Product description Willie Nelson Pretty Paper

Pretty Paper