The Dukes of Hazzard [Original Soundtrack] (CD - 2005)

Personnel: Willie Nelson (guitar, background vocals); Ian Cross (guitar); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Jimmy Jam, Jimmy Wright (keyboards); Iz (drums); Alexander Richbourg (programming).

Audio Mixers: Matt Marrin; Ian Cross.

Recording information: Fillmore East, New York, NY (06/27/1971-??/??/2000).

Arranger: Southern Culture on the Skids.

For the 2005 big-screen version of the hit 1980s TV series THE DUKES OF HAZZARD, country legend Willie Nelson plays the role of Uncle Jesse, and pop sensation Jessica Simpson takes on the denim-shorts-wearing part of Daisy Duke. It's no surprise, then, that both artists show up on the movie's soundtrack. Simpson performs a bluegrass-meets-hip-hop rendition of the giddily assertive Nancy Sinatra classic "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'," while Nelson rambles through a country-rock version of the DUKES OF HAZZARD theme song, "Good Ol' Boys." (Most listeners who were children of the '80s will know this one by heart.) The bulk of the remaining album is filled with Southern rock tunes, including the Allman Brothers Band's high-octane "One Way Out," Lynyrd Skynyrd's rollicking "Call Me the Breeze," and Molly Hatchet's fiery "Flirtin' with Disaster." With its entertaining Dixie vibe, THE DUKES OF HAZZARD soundtrack captures the fun, rambunctious spirit of the film. minimize