Me and Paul

AMG Review of Me and Paul

Eugene Chadbourne
All Music Guide

A separate building such as a quonset hut would have to be built to accomodate all the releases this lovable country artist pumped out during the '80s. Some of his records from this period are disposable, but this was definitely one of the better ones. It seems that focusing on his longstanding relationship with bandmembers, especially drummer Paul English, was an effective emotional touchstone for the entire set of songs, some of which are remakes of Nelson songs from his early Nashville period. "Me and Paul" was a song he wrote for English in the early '70s, and it is a classic bit of songwriting, detailing some hilarious exploits on the road as well as being one of the few songs in existence that is about a drummer. The album kicks off excitingly with "I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train," and there really aren't any noticeably weak moments. The band is superb and, by the standards of a normal country artist, the record would be considered a masterpiece. Nelson's discography is so vast, however, that competition for such an honor is a bit tough. Or as Nelson himself would put it, tougher than leather.