The Great Divide (Willie Nelson album)

The Great Divide is the fiftieth 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.

The Great Divide
Studio album by
Willie Nelson
ReleasedJanuary 2002
GenreCountry
Length53:34
LabelLost Highway
ProducerMatt 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

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Maria (Shut Up and Kiss Me)"Rob Thomas4:20
2."Mendocino County Line" (duet with Lee Ann Womack)Matt Serletic, Bernie Taupin4:32
3."Last Stand in Open Country" (duet with Kid Rock)Taupin, Jim Cregan, Robin LeMesurier, Dennis Tufano4:45
4."Won't Catch Me Cryin'"Thomas4:07
5."Be There for You" (duet with Sheryl Crow)Serletic, Kevin Kadish4:34
6."The Great Divide"Willie Nelson, Jackie King4:06
7."Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)"Mickey Newbury3:32
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, Hyman4:04
11."Recollection Phoenix"Thomas4:53
12."You Remain" (duet with Bonnie Raitt)Leslie Satcher, Don Poythress5:54

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Rolling Stone[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
  • Produced By Matt Serletic
  • Engineered By Mark Dobson, Steve Marcantonio, Dennis Sands & David Thoener, with assistance from David Bryant, Todd Johnson, Tosh Kasai, John Nelson, John Rodd & Sam Story
  • Mixed By Derek Carlson, Jay Goin & David Thoener
  • Mastered By Stephen Marcussen

Charts

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 Country Albums – Year-End 2002". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
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