Ray Wylie Hubbard has served up a further preview of his upcoming Co-Starring Too album in the new track and video “Stone Blind Horses,” his duet with Willie Nelson.
The original version of the song was on Hubbard’s 2016 solo album The Ruffian’s Misfortune, and the new version serves as another taster for the star-studded new project, which arrives on March 18 on Big Machine. Collaborators include Ringo Starr, Lzzy Hale, John 5, Steve Earle, James McMurtry, Ann Wilson of Heart, Wynonna Judd and more.
Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers, and Cody Canada, founder of Cross Canadian Ragweed, also feature, as do Texas singer-songwriters Hayes Carll, James McMurtry, and Dalton Domino. Charlie Sexton, Gurf Morlix, Jaimee Harris, Eliza Gilkyson, Steve Lukather of Toto, and Ray’s son Lucas Hubbard are also among the contributors.
Lone Star Music Magazine described “Stone Blind Horses” as “part prayer, part unrepentant last will and testament” and “a song for the fallen.” They continued: “But Hubbard delivers it with the authoritative conviction and gravitas of a battle-tested and world-wizened wayward gypsy/grifter/poet/shaman, because yeah, well…he pretty much is.”
Saving Country Music observed of the song: “At first I truly believed it had to be a cover of a hit from a previous era that had been forgotten about. The song feels so classic, yet remains fiercely original, it’s a wonder how it was never written before…‘Stone Blind Horses’ is the perfect forum for his raspy groans to find their sweet spot of emotional expression.”
Says Hubbard: “When I finished writing ‘Stone Blind Horses’, the thought came to me: ‘If Willie were to sing this with me, it would be like getting a nod of approval from the universe itself.’ I guess I got it. Thanks, Willie.”
Pre-order Ray Wylie Hubbard’s Co-Starring Too, which is released on Big Machine Records on March 18.