10 years. That's a long time, you know. A decade. Of course, for an artist as prolific as Willie Nelson, 10 year is nothing. But for those of us who've been dying to hear him sing reggae, it's an eternity. Well, COUNTRYMAN is here, and it's a blast!

The thing is, this doesn't sound at all awkward. It's Willie Nelson--the man who, when he puts his heart and soul into it (as he's done here) can sing anything he darn-well pleases. It also helps that he penned most of these songs, many of which have become country classics. And those he didn't write (the two Jimmy Cliff numbers--"The Harder They Come" and "Sitting in Limbo"--and Johnny Cash's "I'm A Worried Man") come out sounding naturally; hell, the two Cliff songs rank with some of Willie's best recordings. And while, yes, the production does occasionally take away from the impact of his lyrics, it should be expected: Willie Nelson is a man who does what he wants, and often that includes employing contradictions. But all towards a noteworthy end--great music!

So, in summary, COUNTRYMAN is an album that may not be worth a ten-year wait, but since it has finally come out, there's no reason not to give it a listen. You'll enjoy it. Even fans of Willie's hardcore material should enjoy it...after all, it's only a small step away from the bravado and musical genius of RED-HEADED STRANGER. You remember that one, don't you? Made a superstar out of this short, red-headed singer/songwriter. And though Willie Nelson has aged, it's been like a fine wine: the more time passes, the more you enjoy the outcome. COUNTRYMAN is simply a great album, and destined to be a classic.

Full disclosure: My knowledge of reggae stops just beyond Bob Marley and UB40.

My knowledge of Willie is much more extensive which is why I have no problem rating this album 5 stars. Whether the songs are more country-infused reggae or reggae-infused country, I don't care. It just works. My favorite tracks are Sitting In Limbo and The Harder They Come, but really there isn't a weak track on the album, and I know a thing or two about weak Willie tracks (see anything on Live and Kickin').

Amazon should run a "Better Together" with the excellent Throw Down Your Arms by Sinead O'Connor. That one is brilliant too.

Playing Time - 35:53 -- Ten years in the making, Willie Nelson (and 17 other musicians) fuse country and reggae sounds into an enticing and powerful concoction. But you've got to wonder why the record execs kept a lid on this music for nearly a decade? With rhythms to dominate the dancehalls and juke joints, Willie jumps right into the popular music style of Jamaica with largely original music he composed or co-wrote with others like Ray Price or Hank Cochran. A couple songs from Jimmy Cliff (The Harder They Come, Sitting in Limbo), and one from Johnny & June Carter Cash (I'm a Worrried Man) round out the set. All are presented with reggae's characteristic chopped guitar or keyboard emphasizing the off beats. I wonder how Bob Marley would like this? I think he'd Be Happy!

What's the origin of this musical style? Mento, the island's raggedy calypso style, originated in the 1950s. In the early 1960s, we started hearing about ska, a shuffling hybrid of mento and R&B. As ska became influenced by American rock in the late 1960s, some called it "rude boy" music for the street anarchists who followed the music. Reggae emerged as a popular influence on world music in the 1970s, largely thanks to its talented superstar Bob Marley who was also a powerful moral authority when the U.S. was at war in Vietnam. The word "reggae" might come from the patois "streggae" (rudeness) or perhaps "regge-regge" (quarrel). Toots (Frederick) Hibbert who wrote "Do the Reggay" once said the term is merely descriptive, meaning simply "regular." Toots makes a special guest cameo appearance on Willie's album at track 3, "I'm a Worried Man." Toots, you may remember, gave us a successful reggae cover of John Denver's "Country Roads," and his "True Love" album release even featured an appearance of Nelson.

Reggae was influenced by Rastafarianism, a cult belief that racial harmony wouldn't work and that blacks should return to Africa. The Rastas were ascetic, vegetarian and peaceful. They also had an affinity for powerful ganja as an aid to meditation. The best songs that work for Willie Nelson are those with hard-hitting social messages that speak from the heart of the proletariat, such as "The Harder They Come" and "I'm a Worried Man." A catchy song like "Sitting in Limbo" has potential to become a reggae classic.

"Countryfarianism" could be the moniker for Willie's new, hypnotic, bass-dominated sound. He still focuses on

making a statement with his music, and he reinvents some of his classics like "One in a Row," "You Left Me a Long Time Ago," and "Darkness on the Face of The Earth." It makes sense that Willie chooses Jamaica's shuffling "country" music style to infuse these chestnuts with new ingredients of repose and consciousness. Willie's relaxed vocal delivery is perfect for the spiritual essence of this new blend that will send lightning bolts striking through the followers of both genres. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, OR.)

You know it does. Willie Nelson making a reggae recording? Kind of a no-brainer, isn't it? This is a fun CD. You get laid-back Willie playing the most laid-back music on earth. Some of the songs are reggae standards, and some are his own songs that he "reggaefied." Willie fans will like this, but so will fans of reggae music, and those two are often considered mutually exclusive. Pick this CD up, it will lighten your day.

It may take a listen or two before you can really soak this in, but once you do, you'll be pleased....I was a bit skeptical of this combo at first, but Willie done good!