Nelson releases live version of "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground

"Willie Nelson Live At Budokan," the first official album release of Nelson's performance at the Nippon Budokan in 1984 will be released on Friday, Nov. 18.

While "Willie Nelson Live At Budokan" has been previously officially available as a LaserDisc in Japan (which is now long-out-of-print with low-grade bootleg pressings put out), this concert performance is enjoying its first official widespread release this fall.

A broadcast edition of "Willie Nelson Live At Budokan" is part of special programming premiering on PBS stations beginning Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022." Produced by Willie's longtime harmonica player Mickey Raphael (whose production credits include Naked Willie and The Highwaymen box set) and mixed by Tony Castle, Willie Nelson Live At Budokan has been sonically upgraded to showcase the American pop-country icon and his ensemble in Tokyo for the first time, connecting with an audience of Japanese and ex-pat fans through the universal power, truth and beauty of the music in Willie's repertoire. Willie's ensemble that night (February 23, 1984) featured his sister Bobbie Nelson on piano, Paul English on drums, Grady Martin on guitar, Jody Payne on vocals and guitar, Bee Spears on bass and Mickey Raphael on harmonica. The new production and mix of Willie Nelson Live At Budokan offers fans a front row seat at one of Willie's most exciting shows during an historic period in his career. Among his autobiographical works, Willie has co-authored books about his band members including Sister Bobbie: True Tales of the Family Band (2020) and the much-anticipated Me and Paul: Untold Tales of a Fabled Friendship (2022), which was released through Harper Horizon on September 20. Willie's drummer, Paul English, passed away, at age 87, on February 11, 2020. His beloved Sister Bobbie passed away, at age 91, on March 10, 2022. In his notes for this release, Willie says, "I believe that music, not only country music, but I believe that music is a great communicator. I think that it crosses all boundaries and I think that the people, regardless of whether they understand what I'm saying or not, they would feel what I'm saying and they will hear it in whatever language they are listening. I think that is the great thing about music."