Me & Paul

Released in 1985, Me & Paul serves as a conceptual tribute to Willie Nelson's long-time drummer and personal bodyguard, Paul English. The album is a retrospective journey, featuring several re-recordings of Nelson's earlier compositions alongside covers of Billy Joe Shaver and Kris Kristofferson. Sonically, it maintains the 'Outlaw' ethos by eschewing the mid-80s Nashville 'Urban Cowboy' polish in favor of a sparse, acoustic-driven sound. The interplay between Nelson's iconic nylon-string guitar, 'Trigger,' and Mickey Raphael's soulful harmonica provides the primary melodic framework. Critics often view this album as a return to form and a celebration of the road-warrior lifestyle that Nelson and English shared for decades. It stands as a testament to the enduring creative and personal bonds that sustained Nelson's career through its various peaks and valleys, offering a more intimate and less commercial perspective than his blockbuster crossover hits of the same era.