New Animated Video for Willie Nelson-Diana Krall Duet, “I Won’t Dance,” Premiering Friday, February 12
Willie’s New Studio Album, That’s Life, Available on CD, 12″ Vinyl and Digital on Friday, February 26
Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, announces the premiere of “I Won’t Dance,” a video animation of the Willie Nelson-Diana Krall duet on Willie’s upcoming studio album, That’s Life, a musical homage to Frank Sinatra. The “I Won’t Dance” animated short film debuts Friday, February 12.
Watch the animated “I Won’t Dance” video with Willie Nelson and Diana Krall here.
Inspired by classic cartoons, fashion illustrations and Hollywood glamor, screwball and slapstick comedies, the “I Won’t Dance” animated short film incorporates stylized avatars of Willie Nelson and Diana Krall performing their wry duet in a vibrant impressionistic cosmopolitan setting. A Dreambear Production, “I Won’t Dance” was animated by Manuel Casares and Antonio Corral (aka Crocantes), “a duo of crazy people who live in Granada (Spain) and have grown up with comics, science fiction and cartoons.” Their special affection for 20th century American culture shines in their illustrated animated narrative for “I Won’t Dance.”
A 20th century jazz standard with music by Jerome Kern, “I Won’t Dance” has two sets of lyrics (the first written by Oscar Hammerstein II and Otto Harbach in 1934, the second penned by Dorothy Fields and Jimmy McHugh for the film, “Roberta,” in 1935). Fred Astaire made the song (with Fields’ lyrics) a hit with his performance, with Ginger Rogers, in the 1935 film version of the Broadway musical, “Roberta.” Frank Sinatra recorded “I Won’t Dance” in 1957 for A Swingin’ Affair!, his 12th studio album, and in 1962 for Sinatra–Basie: An Historic Musical First.
Honoring the enduring influence and inspiration of Frank Sinatra, That’s Life continues Willie’s longtime musical appreciation of Sinatra’s artistry and repertoire, an exploration exemplified by 2018’s My Way, which earned Willie the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Solo Album.
Willie’s That’s Life–his 15th studio outing for Legacy and second album tribute to Sinatra–will be available on CD, 12″ vinyl and digital formats on Friday, February 26. Barnes & Noble will be offering an exclusive marbled blue vinyl edition of That’s Life while exclusive merchandise bundles–including art prints, a jigsaw puzzle and more–will be available at the Willie Nelson webstore. Pre-order here.
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