Red Headed Stranger

Red Head Redemption 💀

What a great album, and what a wonderful voice. (I mean, it's Willie Nelson, is anyone surprised?) This is exactly the type of album that makes me glad I'm doing this project. Because while it's not something I'd seek out, and I don't universally adore every track, it's extremely worth the listen, and I would listen through it again if I'm in the right mood. The album is calming, and oddly a good balm for loneliness but without being whiny. It feels like a chat with an old friend: mellow, reassuring, maybe even a little bit commiserating. And, above all, worth your time. Fave track: Hands on the Wheel

Willie Nelson bucked the system and instead of putting out over produced Nashville drivel, made a simple, stripped down country record structured as a concept album. Red Headed Stranger is the story of a preacher who kills his wife and lover and explores themes of loss, guilt, and longing. It’s exactly what needed to be made at the time

Somehow, I've never heard a single Willie Nelson track, knowingly, up until this point. I love this! Understated playing, great storytelling and a voice that holds lots of appeal for me. He deserves to be known better on these shores than as the old boy who likes smoking big doinks. Superb!

I haven’t had much experience listening to country but honestly this album was a really good introduction. It has such chill vibes and a comforting aura perfect album to listen to whilst reading in bed for the evening All the tracks were iconic so this album has to be 5 stars for me If all country music is this iconic then I think I’ve been sleeping on this genre

I didn't think I'd like this, but I really enjoyed it. There's something about this type of 1970s country music, the trad and pseudo trad styles. Everything feels cosy and comforting, like you're sitting in a bar while yung Willie sings away in the corner. This is the kind of album that I would happily listen to again, if the mood took me.

I'd love to hang out with Willie for a day, get stoned and listen to him tell stories, perhaps a song or two. Shotgun Willie is my go to album but this one has gotten a lot plays as well. Albums like this make you realize not all country music is shit.

A perfect concept album. Country western storytelling at its best.

This is witchcraft: Nelson selects some other artists' songs, including a couple of famous ones, tops them up with four or five of his own, runs his matter-of-fact patter through them, and this 30-odd minute amalgamation becomes myth, and utterly his own.

He’s Country royalty at this point, responsible for changing the genre and for broadening the conversation about an outlaw’s place in the mainstream. This record is at the heart of that impact and that influence. Had Nelson been known for this record alone, he’d still be some kind of legend. It’s a simple but profound song cycle that’s certainly semi-autobiographical. It should be noted that Willie Nelson is a triple threat: songwriter, singer/performer, guitar player. His overall persona adds another layer—a combined aesthetic, one part from the Nashville machine, the other from the outskirts of Texas, one part stoner-hippie, one part patriot-cowboy. It’s why he’s embraced by so many from so many walks of life.

the EIGHTEENTH album by willie wtf?! Also didn't realize this was "outlaw country". Shit is great great great

Generally not my type of music but damn if Willie isn't incredibly talented. The closing track on this album was beautiful, just the piano and harmonica. The piano was really a standout the whole way through. The album tells a great story, and Willie is a master at his craft. Probably the only 5 star country album I'll have this list, but if any deserves it this is the one.

A perfect lazy Sunday album. Every track has a little surprise waiting to be discovered. It's a sign of everything wrong with the music industry that Columbia tried to re-produce this album because they thought it was too stripped down. Best track: Red Headed Stranger

The main thing i know about willie is he likes to smoke da 'erb. he seems like a nice guy but i if this is the kind of stuff he writes when he's stoned he should probably try a different drug. maybe i never smoked weed properly and the real weed professionals get so baked they time travel to the 1800s? Smoked so much that you think you're pre electricity.

I know of Willie Nelson, and have heard a handful of his songs over the years. Overall, I have a "meh" attitude towards his music: take it or leave it. But this album was a home run. It was stripped-down country, which is better than today's country-twanged rock sound. This was a calming, gentle album that was just good song writing and delivery. What a nice listen.

Melancholy country ballads, a classic sound with the godlike Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain as the ultimate example [EDIT: was low-key looking forward to getting this again, and it did not disappoint. Bumped up to the top and purchased - his voice and the material are perfectly suited, and even though the vibrato trick is basically the same on every track it gets me EVERY TIME. Could be the only country album you ever need, just great]

Murderers with pretty singing voices should be allowed to get away with it

I love you, Willie. Thank you for keeping it 100% authentic throughout your career. Also, a little bump for a sweet song about Denver!

There is no need to pretend like Willie Nelson isn't one of the greatest and most influential country artists of all time. There is something very calm and relaxing about his music, perfect for a campfire night out in the American west. And with 'Red Headed Stranger' he not only created an album full of short but sweet and mellow songs with great songwriting but also an album that really cemented him as one of the most forward thinking artists in 70's country scene. At at this point he was well above his contemporaries even Johnny Cash (at that time). The album opens on the very Outlaw Country 'Time of the Preacher' that puts his songwriting and lyrics into the spotlight while still adding more guitar and effects throughout that add to the sound of a man in the Western-inspired outlaw imagery like most of the albums songs. It is a very sweet but interesting song with well implemented percussion. The similar 'I Couldn't Believe It Was True' mainly stands out with the country guitar solo in the bridge and the fast paced second half that has a very present bass work. It's a really good song, I like it a lot. The continuation of 'Time of the Preacher Theme' returns to the first song in a pretty great way. It has some nostaliga to it even if the actual song was less than two minutes before. It's pretty cute. The 'Medley: Blue Rock Montana / Red Headed Stranger' is very simple because it pretty much only has acoustic and bass guitar on it but that results in a pretty emotional story that doesn't take more room than it needs. I like it even if it doesn't really achieve the interesting highs of before. The albums greatest song, 'Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain' is easily the most sentimental and universally emotional song here with a great depiction of love in a very pure way. It kind of reminds me of "Pale Blue Eyes" by the Velvet Underground for some reason but that only adds to the greatness. A nearly perfect calm Country song. The title track 'Red Headed Stranger' extends the short intro we got to the song with the medley but this time it can shine much more. The songwriting is phenomenal, it flows and the different instruments that appear only add. Especially the very quiet but sweet piano in the second half makes this even more special than it already was. I think this would've been a perfect song if it was a little rougher around the edges and maybe even a little shorter but still, I love it. We get another but even shorter version of 'Time of the Preacher Theme' that works as a great interlude and adds in my opinion more to the albums flow than intended. The piano is much more present on 'Just as I Am' and drives this instrumental outro that closes the albums first half with a great and sentimental melody. This is more genius than others might give credit for. It feels like an outro which it is if you listen to it on vinyl and I love it when artists put certain themes to each half of the album and this is great example as seen by the Time of the Preacher parts. The second Side opens on 'Denver' which is another song with great songwriting that really flows through the song but I would've wished that it was a little longer because I really like the sound of it. Still, I think this is a great song. 'O'er the Waves' is has a very "Mexican" sound to it, if that makes sense and I do like how it plays and works as an interlude but if the previous track was longer, this would've shined even more. With 'Down Yonder' we get a little Ragtime piano and a song that sounds much older than it is but that just adds to the Western atmosphere that the album has. It is really fun to listen to like how will you not have the urge to dance to this! 'Can I Sleep in Your Arms' feels like an epic in comparison to the lengths that most songs offer. With over 5 minutes the song is nearly 5 minutes longer than the shortest song. But the song deserves that length as it is a more typical Country song with more musical and songwriting depth that make the whole time enjoyable while keeping the calm and "campfire" sound that is so great about this album. There is a little Swing and Jazz added on 'Remember Me' which I like a lot in combination with the Outlaw Country sound. It makes this not only a standout track but one of the most interesting songs here as well as one of my favourites. This really shows how he plays with more traditional sounds and genres on this second half of the album. Another quite "long" one is 'Hands on the Wheel' which is much more Folk inspired than most songs here. It is both structured and performed in a very traditional Folk style but with hints of the Country sound. The album closes on 'Bandera', a return to the definitve Outlaw Country sound with fewer influences but great songwriting. And even though it is another instrumental song, like on Side 1, it closes this Side and the album as a whole perfectly. This is the outro an album as wild and different needs. favourites: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Remember Me, Red Headed Stranger, Time of the Preacher least favourites: O'er the Waves, Time of the Preacher Theme (short version), Bandera Rating: decent 8

first listen cool man sings stories at a campfire

No. 254/1001 Time of the Preacher 3/5 I Couldn't Believe It Was True 3/5 Time of the Preacher Theme 3/5 Medley 3/5 Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain 3/5 Red Headed Stranger 3/5 Time of the Preacher Theme Nr Just As I Am 3/5 Denver 3/5 O'er the Waves 2/5 Down Yonder 2/5 Can I Sleep In Your Arms 2/5 Remember Me 3/5 Hands On The Wheel 3/5 Bandera 2/5 Average: 2,71 Pretty disappointed by this. I was really bored towards the end. It was lacking some diversity.

I really wish I knew why country music doesn't click for me. I have attempted to listen to this before. It was fine, but I am unlikely to return.

Beautiful album. I loved the little snippers of songs, especially the preacher theme clips. Can I sleep in your arms was just sensational. Definitely would own this album if I had the opportunity. Reading up about the album and the theme of the preacher who killed his wife and her lover and then went on the run makes it even more interesting

I listened to this album three times today, after not having heard it for several years. This was the album that convinced me to vote Willie Nelson for president. I love the recurring themes and story telling and overall vibe of this record. It’s nearly perfect-I will round up to 5 stars, even though it’s probably a true 4.5 for me.

Calmo, suadente, toccante.

Gran disco. De esos que pareciera imposible que a alguien no le guste. Genial buena vibra, que de un track súper nostálgico puede pasar a otro absolutamente feliz, para al final quedarse con ganas de echarse un grito de vaquero e ir a observar el horizonte al atardecer. Y lo mejor de todo es que tiene una versión country de Sobre las olas. Qué genio.

Well of course this is going to be awesome.

America’s heart

Perfect story and very nice album. I like it. Masterpiece.

aaaaahhh nem esküszöm meg rá, de sztem ez az az album, amiről Dylan a könyvében úgy lelkesedett, hogy olyan a production, illetve hát olyannyira nincsen, mintha a konyhában vette volna fel. és valóban. :D és nevetségesen szép is pont emiatt omg.

Loved it!

I have no notes.

When I tell people that I like some country music, this is what I'm talking about.

Listened Before? Y Yep, one of my favorite albums of all time. This one is a classic and I already have it in my library. This is a good excuse to listen to it today! Added to Library? Y Songs added to playlist: Time of the Preacher

formative album for me, engendered a love for concept albums in me that essentially no one else has ever satisfied.

Personally the best country album

LOVED it. This came out about the time I saw him at one of his 4th of July picnics. Good times!

Fantastic country music that makes you feel like you're riding a horse across the Wild West

This album is lovely. It's not my usual genre but I really enjoyed having it on. What the heck? I'm giving it a 5.

5/5 very easy to listen to, old school country

Someone protect this adorable little stoner at all costs. Truly music that you feel in the soul and spirit. It will be a sad sad day for country music when this man is no longer with us.

Classic. Loved it.

I did not think I like country music, but this was really relaxing

This is about as much as I’ll ever like country music this side of Johnny Cash.

This was a phenomenal album. I’ve never listened to Willie Nelson but now I see why people love him. This was so good.

This is so comforting. Not they lyrics/story, but the music. If all country music was like this, I'd be the biggest country fan. One of the best parts of this album also becomes a criticism of it, though: The album is very simple. There's not a lot of interesting instrumentation, tempos are all very similar (slow). It make the album intimate, and some songs sound like they were recorded out on the porch of a ranch house in the wild west. So, even if it draws a little critique, Red Headed Stranger would be much different if it were recorded any other way. Favorite Song(s): Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Can I Sleep in Your Arms

This record is another example of Willie Nelson being one of the great songwriters and storytellers in country music history. His simple yet descriptive lyrics paint a beautiful picture in such short order. Even the songs that are instrumentals also bring out big emotions despite using no words. Nelson is one of the best to ever do it, bar none. Notable Tracks: - Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain - Red Headed Stranger - Just as I Am - beautiful instrumental - Denver - Down Yonder - another great instrumental with ragtime influences - Bandera - one last beautiful piano piece to close out the album 9/10

Red headed stranger best storytelling ever

Immaculate vibes

Great concept album

Why don't more country artists smoke weed? That shits definitely working for this guy

No private session used on Spotify, not for Willie. I like this album for what is, its got the feel of saloon in Deadwood in the 1880s and then heading back to the outskirts of the town to sleep under the stars. I am not sure when I will listen to this album, but I will try and find a place for it. Perhaps if I lived in trailer with a neon Budweiser sign in it.

A simple story that stretches through the music of this concept album paints an emotional portrait of grief and redemption for the red-headed stranger. It's simple and raw and relateable. It's a human story that everyone will experience at least once in their lifetime. I'm surprised by the way that these songs pulled me in and carried me along. Willie was 42 when he put out this carefully crafted and unpretentious story. Damn.

I’d only heard one other Willie album before (stardust) and really liked this one. I imagine everyone on the Burlington hall would know how to play every song on this album- had a very Al vibe for me and reminded me of playing at Mike’s house. Loved the sparse instrumentation.

The intimate production matches the warmth of willie’s voice.

Nice chill vibe, cool how the songs are all connected. Tells a story from start to end.

When we first meet Dumbledore there is a reverent respect bestowed upon him by his peers. We never really see him battle Dark Magic or earn the accolades that surround him; meanwhile we're constantly given example after example of the power and evil of Voldemort in real-time. As inflated as Voldemort's character is, we know that he only scared of one wizard: Dumbeldore. Like Yoda, we meet him (in the original trilogy) at the end of whatever actions made him famous and renown, yet we know and believe that they were great without really seeing proof ourselves. This is how I know Willie Nelson; as someone who is lauded by peers and critics alike, whose reputation precedes him, and yet I have no real direct knowledge of him outside of the beautiful "You're Always On My Mind," playing Farm Aid, and having to do Taco Bell commercials in order to raise enough money to pay for all of the taxes he didn't pay over the years. And now I see him in his prime, great yet unpretentious. This is it. This is why he's one of the greats. From the instrumentation and the odd chord sequence in the opening chords, I can immediately tell I'm in for a treat. Though Willie jumps right back to an expected acoustic guitar for much of the first half of the album, it is clear that anything is on the table. Throughout, we hear an earnestness and a clarity in his voice, and his guitar playing and picking makes up in melody what it lacks in technicality. I love his choice of instrumentation. Aside from the typical dobro, lap steel, mandolin, banjo, and fiddle, we instead get teased with piano, accordian, and harmonica that threaten to show their face but mostly just pop up occasionally. Before there was the "country and western" genre, there was the "country" and "western" genres. Willie's country music sounds like it's no stranger (red headed or otherwise) to the saloon. Specifically, "Down Yonder" is exactly the piece you'd expect to hear after a gunfight in the saloon when the bartender wants to get everyone back at ease and instructs the piano player to play something upbeat, that is until King Adrock punches him in the face during a robbery and leaves with two ladies and a beer. A touch of jazz is present in most places we hear piano, and more evidently in the piano and guitar work on "Remember Me (When the Candle Lights are Gleaming)." It's not everyday you hear a country album with instrumental songs, but there are more than a couple here. And there's even little ditties like the under-a-minute "Denver" who says its peace and leaves, refreshingly without a clear verse or chorus. Similarly, "Bandera" lasts just long enough to voice a musical statement over a beautiful chord progression before sending us off to ride home in the sunset. I love how quiet this album is too. Modern production is a battle for loudness and to that end, is often overly compressed to the point of squashing the dynamics. There are parts on this album that invite one to listen in, to come to the music rather than having the music come to you. Kum Ba Yah.

I'm digging the classic country selections and this one is just phenomenal.

classic Willie

It's like watching a classic Western movie without needing the film. A 5 star or A rated concept album for me.

Willie Nelson is in the top 2 when it comes to America's contributions to the world, and this is one of his finest albums.

Perfect

Such a sweet voice which doesn't match his appearance.

Dusty careworn songs of love and loss, drifters and desperadoes, beautifully played, sung, and recorded. When I listened to it for the first time, the next thing I did was to play it again. A balm for the soul.

My dad didn’t like Willie Nelson’s voice so we never listened to his music and I assumed his music was bad. But I thoroughly enjoyed his album and the melancholy feel to his songs. His instrumental work is sublime. Downloaded the album and will listen to it again for sure.

Lovely! 5/5

None of the songs really stand out on their own, but as a collective unit, it is a beautiful saga, with intimate instrumentation and soulful performance.

Outlaw country, singer-songwriter. Not much I can say about this album. It's calming and mellow, very straightforward and honest. It's subtle when it needs to be and all is placed where it is needed. It's damn near perfect. Would love to revisit. Strong 4.5/5

I listened to it once then listened to part of it again. It's good. I'm impressed. Lyrically and musically it transported me to a different era and location. The storytelling and some of the tragedy in the lyrics is what country music is supposed to be. Also, the instrumental bits are really good. Surprise 5.

Loved the whole album - album just flew by. Now a convert to Willie Nelson

I understand why people like country now. This was a delight. Everything from the vocalist's soothing voice, through the storytelling, to the stripped-back production... I'll be listening to this album again for sure. 4.5 stars. I guess I'm a country fan now!(old country at least)

Country, eigentlich nicht mein Ding, aber Willie steht für musikalische Leidenschaft ohne Ende, bedingungslose Geradlinigkeit. Volle Punktzahl für den Outlaw!

three things that i love about this album on first listen: 1) willie nelson's voice is so soothing. 2) this album is so chill and calming. 3) this album is 'short and sweet: the album' - 15 tracks and the album isn't even 35 minutes long. i will say, i am not very well versed in the greater world of country music, only where it seems to touch my other musical interests. i'm not sure what i expected out of this album, but i know it wasn't this. i had no idea this was even a concept album with a story. this is one of the albums i've listened to in this project where i was kind of floored? this is the good stuff, man.

Great album. One of my favorites. Always in my rotation. 5/5

Willie at his best with his first song cycle. He could capture the feeling with Trigger and his vocals the way no one else can. Story of love, loss, craziness and the fragility of man. This is a perfect outlaw album.

An American classic.

Beautiful album. The first half flowing perfectly into each other, like 1 side long song. Great story, great music, great all throughout, I had never appreciated it before but right now everything clicked, and it is in my upper echelon of country albums

A country master work

It’s Willie, for fuck’s sake

Amazing, one of the best country music albums of all time

I fell off the album a day horse for too long and it’s hard to imagine a better way to get back in the saddle. How long do we think the gods will keep Willie on loan to us? Whatever they decide, I’m glad they let us borrow him for a bit - his gritty grace is the perfect model for us to all follow. Fuck the Man, but love your neighbor and also maybe the ladies along the way, you know? It’s wild to me that he recorded this at my age and went on to keep it going for more than double the time. Willie for President!!

Yee Haw

One of the all time great albums. Willie free at last and showing what he can do when left alone.

LP

just good old fashioned 70's cowboy country. telling stories by a campfire country. I get images of driving through small farm towns in a banged up old reliable pickup truck as I listen to this. Willie is a great lyricist and you cant help but relax to his songs.

10/10 Willie Nelson will always be nostalgic for me

I loved this album! I know how famous he is as a musician but I never seeked out his music. He is such a fantastic story teller and he has a captivating voice. This album kept me fully engaged throughout. Very cool.

An absolute revelation!

Really liked this one

Lovely, heartbreaking and beautiful

Master class in Americana songwriting. An album that flows effortlessly

This album is perfect through and through, and was such a lovely pull on this Friday morning after a long week. Just beautiful and an absolute classic.

What a great piece of American history!! Poetic classic Americana country. Hands on the Wheel brought me to my knees. I found myself in you Willie!! ❤️

This album is like going to church. It can make the most tired soul feel alive again. Willie was blessed by the ganja gods, or maybe he is one.

Beautiful album

Willie!! Never a bad choice.

Flawless end to end. Keep your hands off the bay!

Pleasant quiet experience

Fire and ice.

Willie is so smooth. He can sing me to sleep any day of the week.