The Great Divide (Willie Nelson album)

Last updated
The Great Divide
Willienelsongreatdivide.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 2002
Genre Country
Length53:34
Label Lost Highway
Producer Matt Serletic
Willie Nelson chronology
Rainbow Connection
(2001)
The Great Divide
(2002)
The Eyes of Texas
(2002)
Singles from The Great Divide
  1. "Mendocino County Line"
    Released: January 21, 2002

The Great Divide is the 50th studio album released in 2002 by American country music singer Willie Nelson. It contains several duets and musical collaborations with artists such as Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty, Lee Ann Womack, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Brian McKnight, and Bonnie Raitt. The album produced two chart singles in "Mendocino County Line" and "Maria (Shut Up and Kiss Me)", which respectively reached #22 and #41 on the Hot Country Songs charts. Also included is a cover of "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)", previously a hit for Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. The songs "Mendocino County Line," "Last Stand in Open Country," and "This Face" were co-written by Bernie Taupin, the lyricist best known for his collaborations with Elton John.

Contents

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Maria (Shut Up and Kiss Me)" Rob Thomas 4:20
2."Mendocino County Line" (duet with Lee Ann Womack) Matt Serletic, Bernie Taupin 4:32
3."Last Stand in Open Country" (duet with Kid Rock)Taupin, Jim Cregan, Robin LeMesurier, Dennis Tufano 4:45
4."Won't Catch Me Cryin'"Thomas4:07
5."Be There for You" (duet with Sheryl Crow)Serletic, Kevin Kadish 4:34
6."The Great Divide"Willie Nelson, Jackie King4:06
7."Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" Mickey Newbury 3:32
8."This Face"Taupin, Cregan, LeMesurier, Tufano4:29
9."Don't Fade Away" (duet with Brian McKnight)Serletic, Kadish4:18
10."Time After Time" Cyndi Lauper, Hyman 4:04
11."Recollection Phoenix"Thomas4:53
12."You Remain" (duet with Bonnie Raitt) Leslie Satcher, Don Poythress5:54

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]

The album was panned for the excessively adult contemporary production. Pat Blashill of Rolling Stone said "Nelson is a performer who uses plain, powerful lyrics and a handsome but unvarnished voice to great effect. Much of that gets lost in the adult-contemporary production goop and heavenly choirs" of this release. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic said it is "an accomplished, classy album, but it sure as hell isn't a Willie Nelson album." [3] Both agreed "the best moments here are the ones in which Nelson just does his thing all by his bad self." [4]

Personnel

Production

Charts

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References

  1. Allmusic review
  2. Rolling Stone review
  3. allmusic review
  4. Rolling Stone review
  5. "Willie Nelson Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  6. "Willie Nelson Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  7. "Top 100 country albums of 2002 in Canada". Jam! . Archived from the original on December 4, 2003. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  8. "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2002". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2020.