Lifestyle

Willie Nelson and Son Perform Amazing Cover of “Texas Flood”

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Lukas Nelson proves that ‘Willie Nelson talent’ runs in the gene pool. The father-son duo performed a downright amazing cover of “Texas Flood” at Willie’s Place in Carl’s Corner, Texas in 2010. It’s a gem that you do not want to miss.

The song, also known as “It’s Floodin’ Down in Texas” or “Stormin’ in Texas,” is a blues song originally recorded by Larry David in 1958. The song grew in popularity when Stevie Ray Vaughan put out a tweaked version of it for his 1983 debut album titled Texas Flood. Fun fact: Vaughan’s version of “Texas Flood” has been named as one of the Greatest Guitar Songs ever by Rolling Stone (you’ll see why in the video). The lyrics express a longing and a love over, through, and in spite of the earth’s boundaries attempting to interfere. Ending on a hopeful note of invitation, you can see congruence between the blues sound itself and this song’s meaning.

For this cover, Lukas Nelson provides vocals and shreds on electric guitar, while Willie yields most of the limelight, humbly (but ably) accompanying with his legendary acoustic “Trigger” off to the side. While Lukas has his own voice, it is comforting to hear he possesses those same, piercing overtones that Willie has had throughout his career. It takes courage to enter the arena of blues standards, implicitly competing against the greats who came before (and after), but the Nelsons present a cover that is both respectable and respectful.

This piece, which was seminal in the process of mainstreaming Stevie Ray Vaughan and the blues itself, is a fitting introduction to those unfamiliar with the younger Nelson.

More of Lukas can be found in his band, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, their website (promiseofthereal.com) dubbing their style as “cowboy hippie surf rock.” You can pre-order their upcoming album, Something Real, right now, before it hits stores on March 11.

With no further ado, the video of Willy and Lukas’ live rendition of “Texas Flood”: