MATT YORK sings WILLIE NELSON’s Pretty Paper
Matt York Pretty Paper is available on Winter Classics LP
by Walter Price
Throughout recent years, I’ve wondered a lot about the man Frankie Brierton. As the story goes, a life seemingly unextraordinary. Eking out a living in front of a Texas department store is crippled and unassuming. Yet, a young man in Ft. Worth soaked up the image Frankie inadvertently painted and would go on to inspire a song so ingrained into the Holiday psyche of most country music fans, that countless artists have tried their hand at covering it.
As the legend goes, Willie Nelson wrote “Pretty Paper” circa 1963 after carrying around the memory of Brierton and the song would be given to the whippersnapper Roy Orbison, who went on to make it a beautiful and sprawling Christmas hit later that same year. But, for me, the Chet Atkins-produced Nelson 1964 recording has been an evergreen Holiday track. An indelible song that never misses a Holiday around here.
In the now, Boston singer-songwriter Matt York has recorded a raw and emotional telling of the seminal tune. Released on his “Winter Classics” LP, York keeps the warmth and sentiment alive through his signature vocals and picking. It’s nearly impossible to know what this song means to York, as we all have someone or a moment that has inspired us. And as this Holiday season glides through the calendar; I hope that we all remember such folks and memories.
You can stream York’s captivating redux of “Pretty Paper”, here at your Merry Lil’ GTC.
Matt York Pretty Paper
Artist photo and artwork via Bandcamp
Written by Willie Nelson
Performed by Matt York
website // facebook // instagram
“Between the Bars” was released in late 2017. Gatehouse Media’s Peter Chianca wrote, “Put Boston’s Matt York in the ‘should be rich and famous department’ — his country rock with a jangly edge has instantaneous appeal, combining wry lyrics about barflies, ex-lovers, and fading summers with infectious melodies and a rocker’s penchant for strumming his way through heartbreak“. – bio