This box contains a wealth of American music, plus a couple of jewels--Django Reinhardt's "Nuages" and Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come"--from beyond these shores. Here are 100 songs commemorating Willie Nelson's incredible journey by going full circle. "When I've Sang My Last Hillbilly Song," leading off Disc One, was recorded in 1954 or '55; it is reprised on Disc Four's final track, updated in 2007. Between those years Nelson, a Depression era kid who grew up dirt poor in Abbott, Texas, became one of the world's most recognizable figures, in the music/entertainment business or otherwise. One Hell Of A Ride is, quite simply, the most all-encompassing Nelson retrospective ever assembled.

In addition to all of its glorious music, this package also features incisive words in an essay by Nelson's biographer, Joe Nick Patoski, whose Willie Nelson: An Epic Life was published in 2008. There's also a brief reminiscence by Mickey Raphael, Nelson's longtime harmonica player, that is funny and affecting.

Finally, there is the man himself, who on April 30, 2008 turned 75. The songs herein, many of them touchstones, some lesser known gems, reflect the musical sense and sensibility of an artist for all ages, and for the ages.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Best Willie Nelson there is
Comment: Best Willie Nelson there is. Best studio recording quality. A 4 CD box set.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: One hell of a ride
Comment: If you like Willie Nelson, then this is a must collection for you. It is bone chilling music from the git go.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: You can't go wrong with Willie singing to you!
Comment: I love Willie Nelson so you simply cannot go wrong listening to his music. If I could afford to be a groupie and follow his concerts, I would be doing that too!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Willie Nelson complilation
Comment: I really like this new compilation of Willie Nelson songs because it includes every (or certainly most) of my favorite Willie songs. It also includes several of his famous duets. I have the CD and also have it on my computer and on my iPod. It includes 4 CDs.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Too short to overview his 5 decades.
Comment: I love his warm and shivering voice and I find it happy and amazing that his Family still play with him. There will be compilations of his 80 years anniversary, however, his speed of releasing albums is too fast and it will get to be more and more difficult to compile his tunes into anyone's favorites. He will never have any trip to Japan because of the strict examination for entry. I wish I would see his concert.

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