Reviews (page 3 of 12)
yeehaw indeed
Oh Willie. A classic album, which I have never listened to all the way through. Willie is not my cup of tea, but he is great. 15 songs in 33 minutes! The album is a vibe - meaning it is a thematic composition as a whole and evokes thoughtful reverie from earlier tunes with themes between longer tracks. It holds up amazingly well!! Great album and enjoyable listening!!
Yes
This is a step towards a genre of country I can respect.
I surprisingly really enjoyed this.
One of his best albums, lonely and sad but sweet and free
A fantastic country & western album, stripped down to the essentials. I loved the whole thing.
Suprový country
Willie Nelson is one of the kings of outlaw country. His ability to produce poetry which he puts to music which is simple in its delivery and isn't overproduced like most country music today is an art. The music on this album is simple, and unpolished, but those impurities are what make this such a stellar album, and they are why Willie is such a force in the industry. The overarching story that is woven through this 33 minute album is one of love and loss. It is a beautiful album, and is perfect for sitting and listening to cover to cover. Can I Sleep In Your Arms shares its tune with Charlie Poole's classic: Can I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister. Poole's song holds a special place in my heart as it reminds me of my grandfather. He used to love to sing that song. So hearing that familiar tune again, even though the lyrics were slightly different, brought on a wave of nostalgia. I'm thankful for those memories of Grampie. Overall, a fantastic album today. I've always liked Willie's raspy voice and spoken delivery. It is immediately recognizable. I've never listened to this album before, but am very glad I did today. It will be put into regular rotation from now on! Favourite songs: Can I Sleep In Your Arms, Red Headed Stranger, I Couldn't Believe It Was True, Hands on the Wheel, Medley: Blue Rock Montana/Red Headed Stranger, Remember Me (When the Candle Lights Are Gleaming), Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain Least favourite songs: if forced to pick, Just As I Am 5/5
I really liked it. I want to listen to more of this type of music
An all time great!
Great! I'm a sucker for albums that have a story. My only real issue is the "disjointed" nature of said story. But still great. The album did sound a little demo-ish, but I like the low production style with Willie Nelsons voice.
Holy crap! Just brilliant.
9/10. Love some Willie Nelson
Incredible concept album. Brave, stripped down production. The genius is in the feeling and simplicity.
BL: Willie Nelson’s previous album was really good I thought: this one seems to be originals as oppose to covers so more interested to hear this one. I like the album cover a lot. AL1: first time round I enjoyed the listen. Very honky tonk. I tried to decipher the story behind it but found it very difficult to follow. Round about 2/3rds of the way through I realised the album was on shuffle play. So I’ll give it another listen the right way around and see what I think this time. As of first time around it’s a 3/5 AL2: wow. What a way to do a storytelling album. Very impressed by this. The story was fun, the juxtaposition of short and long tracks gives this a very ahead of it’s time feeling. I really really sincerely enjoyed this, I’ve never been a massive country fan bar Jason Molina but I’m starting to get roped into certain aspects of the singer/songwriter material. Very very enjoyable FT: “Medley: Blue Rock Montana”, “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain”, “Denver”, “Bandera” 5/5
Fantastic album. Always heard of Willie Nelson, but never took a dive into a full album until this one. Was blown away by the songwriting and Willie’s singing. Top 3 songs off the album for me are Red Headed Stranger, Down Yonder, and Can I Sleep in Your Arms. -Klep
Had no idea this was such a cohesive album. Absolutely loved the ‘Time of the Preacher’ theme running throughout. Adding this to the regular rotation.
Bare bones country. Absolutely no fat on this one
Tight, Americana country music from the storytelling singer and guitar player. With a boyish voice and a beautiful acoustic, Willie Nelson invites any listener to enjoy the stories of an older, less fickle America. Still religious prone with a taste for the nostalgic, but love and heartbreak are the centerpieces of American worth. Much of the album is covers, but what sets this album apart is how genuine and peaceful it is sung.
I love Willie Nelson
A true country western album from one of the best to ever do it. No frills, no flash, just good old western story telling. The song writing is authentic and charming and sad in just the right way. Absolutely required listening
Used to listen to this years ago. Love it. So simple, stripped down and just about perfect.
Willie
That was entrancing. I listened to it three times over and still felt this weird calming spell. Magical, really. I guess that’s what smoking all that weed can do for country music.
Good Story
Album 78 of 1001 Willie Nelson - Red Headed Stranger Rating : 5 / 5 Favorite Track: This is a remarkable album. I went back and forth with this one. My first feeling was that it is under produced. After some research I found that I sounded just like the record company when Willie presented them the completed project. They said it sounded like a demo. I was won over, as well. Willie did Willie and he did it like nobody else could. This album grows on you.
This is what I love about this album generator. I would never have listened to Willie Nelson by choice, Country Music is a genre that I always considered as something to despise, lots of "Get Along Lil' Doggie" and Dolly Parton. The closest I would ever normally get to Country would be parody songs about families all dying and the crops dying, etc. This album has opened my eyes to music that I never realised existed. Sparse and simple, relaxing, laid back, a concept album that tells a coherent story about love, betrayal, revenge, and redemption, all tied up nicely and bookended with some outstanding piano pieces. Loved it.
This is an awesome album. Vocals are impeccable. Blue eyes crying in the rain is an all time great song.
All time classic country great, and cemented a star becoming a legend.
Feels like a old country tale told by a campfire. One of the best examples of storytelling through music in all of music.
wonderful album from america's troubador. 5 stars.
Genre defining
I don’t know what I could write here that has not already been written. This album is perfect and it’s beautiful. The mood it sets is so evocative that this album feels much longer than it’s runtime, but in a good way. You are transported when you listen to it.
Banger
My only complaint is that some tracks weren’t long enough. He seemed to have about half a concept album and finished the rest with some filler tracks that could have really enhanced the album if more time was put into them. Everything else was perfect and I can’t imagine any other issues someone could have. His singing, as always, is beautiful. Instrumentation was tight and I even enjoyed the instrumentals. One of my favorites of his. This was Willie’s second album of the year and, to this day, it is common for him to release at least an album a year. I can only imagine if he took a break from pumping out album after album and took a pause to really craft one incredible album. 5/5
Really nice evening listening. Who could fault Willie ever.
I love Willie Nelson. So take this rating with a grain of salt.
This might have been the best album yet from this project. I will be revisiting this many times in the future, which I can't say for most of this. Pretty close to perfect.
love!
Concept albums aren’t only for psychedelic rock! Blue Eyes Cryin in the Rain is one of the prettiest songs I’ve ever heard. I’ll keep coming back to this.
So surprised by this one. Shame on me for my undeserved biases. From the soulful singing to the amazing musicality I couldn't believe I had discounted Mr. Nelson as country twang.
Can’t beat this for country. I know a lot of these (most? All?) are covered standards, but this is a tremendous album.
Great album from Willie with some amazing instrumentation. Classic country sounds. Love it.
This is a quintessential country album. Willie Nelson is one of my favorite singers for his distinctive voice and the songs are worthy of it. I especially love the title track for its storytelling, which is really interesting. A lot of the tracks are short and there are a lot of instrumental songs, too, giving it a nice, quick feel.
This was great. I loved the concept and everything.
Willie is such a good song writer. His songs are like a warm hug. This makes me want to write my own concept album.
Best album I have discovered through this journey so far. Great concept album with a simplicity to it. Dolby Atmos bring it to another level. Was on repeat all day. Super album.
Love Willie
Listened to it twice. Loved it. Not even sure what to say.
I loved this, I really like willie nelsons music
This is a quintessential Country album to listen to. Show the naysayers this album and they’ll soon turn around and be more open of Country!
Sweet lord why can't all country sound like this. Not a blue jean nor a pick up truck in sight.
So purely willie
Fire
Love Willie, loved this one.
Willie is just plain awesome. A great voice and music. This is the kind of music I like to listen to on April day where it's not quite warm yet, and it's overcast and rainy. It just works somehow. It also sounds great in December...or any time.
This is a very special album to me. It reminds me of my father more than any other album. I have a somewhat complex relationship with my father so having this as a positive association with him is a rare and bittersweet treasure. I remember listening to this and "Willie and Family Live" on many road trips with him as a kid. I would go so far as to say that this is the best narrative driven concept album of all time. The fact that it is also a country album makes it all that much more spectacular an achievement. Country has always been more of a singles driven market, but Willie bravely constructed an amazing outlier of an album that had more in common with the AOR of its time, weaving an enchanting tale of betrayal and tragedy. It has recurring musical themes that tie it all together and many instrumental pieces to allow it to breath. In fact, I think it is those instrumental pieces that are the reason this album is so effective. It forces the listener to have to emotionally engage with the music itself, rather than through being fed more narrative in the lyrics. The listener has to connect the dots in their mind. Willie doesn't overdo it or spoonfeed you. He gives you just the right amount of story to set the scene and no more. I feel that this is not only a stroke of genius, but it shows that Willie has faith in, and respect for, his audience. Listening to this as a kid in the passenger seat while my dad drive through the night, I found this absolutely spellbinding. Still do.
labai grazu. Patiko paklausyt toki stiliu. 'Time of the Preacher' keliavo i playlistĄĄĄ
Oh my GOD I am so taken with this album!! I already love Willie Nelson but due to my old way of listening to music excluding entire albums, I never listened to this album. I LOVE a concept album, and I love some good country story-telling. I don't always love it coming from a man but in this case it's golden. I am really excited by this story and I will definitely watch the film soon. I even love the instrumental tracks like Down Yonder coming right after Denver where he sings of a chance meeting in a tavern and then the dancing and with this music I can picture a saloon and a pair dancing to this music it's magic! I love thinking about the old un-finished songs which inspired Willie to write this whole concept album and tell this whole story, it's super inspiring. Also loving the simplicity of guitar piano and drums and his beaut voice.
Even if you're not a country fan (and I'm most definitely not), it's hard to deny Willie his due. The man is a great songwriter and a legendary performer. This super stripped down album really showcases the emotional range of his voice and I couldn't be more here for it. Which is REALLY surprising given my aforementioned dislike for the genre. Great album.
Checks every box possible for a country album. It’s a concept album, underrated and beautiful guitar, good production, nostalgic, influential, album length fits the style of music, tells a story, there’s a flow to song order, great album cover, beautiful ending.
I love albums that immediately get a 5 star within the first few minutes. Willie is an original. A chief storyteller that evokes the place and time he sings about. As a concept album it kind of fails, but as a whole it really evokes the Wild West he sings about. What a legend. Give this man all the love he deserves. Like Bruce and Cash, he's one of the American greats.
With a mixture of short tales and epic tomes, Red Headed Stranger is a exploration of infidelity, murder and desertion in a manner made sparsely and simply that can only benefit Shotgun Willie; any minute longer and it would have been sabotage. It is not surprising to know how this became a beloved album in Willie's canon and an enduring hallmark in country. The complex feelings of the outlaw, encapsulated by the songs that expresses his feelings that flowed through his heart; a tale as old and well told as time.
Solid willie—didnt know he was this good!
4.5/5
I feel like he's got a way better voice than you ever really realize
Brilliant, a country concept album with a coherent story and great tunes. One of the reviews said it was "the Sgt pepper's of country", which sounds about right!
Stunning
Sad harmonica.
As with the album Stardust, I am again struck by the deliberateness of Willie Nelson's music. Every note, every tempo, the order of the songs...all show a clear intent and purpose, nothing ad libbed or left to chance. Despite the murderous themes in the lyrics, I feel safe with Willie at the helm. This is music that makes me feel good.
I grew up hearing this album in the background, but its spartan production and mature themes went over my head and I didn't appreciate it. I haven't heard it since my pre-teen years. Returning to it now is like discovering an entirely new album. The music is arresting and beautiful, the album filled with suspense, tragedy and heartache, and I loved it. While murder ballad albums tend to turn me off, this had a very different feel and focused on a range of emotions other than anger and revenge. It is surprisingly wistful. How fortunate are we that Willie Nelson had negotiated a contract that allowed him to release this album. It is easy to see how record producers would demand that more production be added to this album. I imagine that would have greatly diminished the power of this album. Red Headed Stranger is an affecting work I will listen to again and again.
I'm surprised Nashville hasn't built a Mount Rushmore of Country Music. Seems like something they'd be all freaking over. We'll do the easy work for them here in terms of selecting the 4 figures on Mount Country Music. Johnny Cash and Hank Williams are slam-dunk no-brainers. And I believe the third obvious choice is one Willie Hugh Nelson. They'd probably complain about having to put a bandana on his head, and they'll be jokes about how Willie should also be displayed smoking a joint, but no Mount Rushmore is complete with him. The argument could begin and end with the fact that Willie Nelson wrote "Crazy". Mic drop. And if that's not enough, allow me to present to you a concept album he recorded entitled "Red Headed Stranger". Great simple storytelling music that showcases what made Willie Nelson a legend, including the quintessential version of "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" where Ol' Willie even one-ups Hank Williams. As for that 4th person on the Mount Rushmore of Country Music...the internet would absolutely explode if it isn't Dolly Parton. Fuck that. I'd take Loretta Lynn or Emmylou Harris over Dolly. Also acceptable: George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard, and an argument could be made for Patsy Cline. It'd be fitting to have her next to the pot smoking, bandana wearing hillbilly/hippie who wrote her signature song.
I always love tight, story-driven concept albums. Add Willie’s impeccable delivery, and you’ve got an instant classic for me.
Great album, added it a few playlists
Big Willie styles.
Me ha gustado bastante.
Amazing album. So minimal and clean.
Beautiful album. Loved every track.
Good grief this here is one heck of a beautiful album. The piano interlude on Just As I Am and Can I Sleep in Your Arms near blew me out of the dang water. Such a strutty little bass line on Remember Me. Outlaw country with a tender gentle heart.
Exceptional album, a classic. Tight, minimalist compositions, with strong songwriting from Nelson. Not a bad song on here. Fave Songs: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Red Headed Stranger, Hands on the Wheel, Can I Sleep in Your Arms, Time of the Preacher
A classic. A must hear for Texans.
1st time of listening. Love Willie Nelson, his lyrical aptitude as a writer is clear from his back catalogue but what I like about this is that he has developed, through others songs, a wonderful, simple narrative about the red headed stranger. Love the title track and "Denver" and of course the recurring "Time Of The Preacher" "O'er The Waves" (Which to me is reminiscent of The Harry Lime Theme) and the honky-tonk Piano (Played, I believe by Willie's sister Bobbie) of down yonder. A tale of betrayal redemption and love and stripped down to the instruments with Willie's distinctive voice being the main star! Love it and rightfully in this list in my opinion.
Simple and great.
What on first impression feels unfocused, random, rough and incomplete you will then learn is the result and product of Willie's artistic control. Sparse and demo-like, it is never dwelling on one idea. Instead it is constantly moving onward with its narrative.
GOOD dog walking music. It isn't too intensely Willie Nelson, it is the perfect amount. I like the balance between singing and instruments.
Excellent listen
Душа, жизнь, ковбойска житя
Otra sorpresa. Disco perfecto.
Definitely a classic. Yeah. It really is. Hard to actually listen to a whole album of it uninterrupted. I just like a bit more back beat with my piano figures. But Willie has such a perfect delivery, perfect stripped down production, beautiful acoustic guitar. And he WAS an industry outlaw. Go Willie go! 4 Boolean: true
I enjoyed this! Pleasant old-fashioned country vibes from Willie
Classic songwriting from Willie Nelson. Because of Spotify glitches, I had trouble listening to it all the way through, and instead listened in pieces, which is less than ideal. This is the country music I remember hearing (mostly on TV) as a kid. It wasn't played at home, but because of its prominence in the 70s when I was a kid, it's the style of country I think of as "real" country. :)
A great album by a great artist. Even if you don't like country, this is easy to appreciate.
I've lived in Austin for 20 years and I feel like the pitchforks will be out if I don't rate this at least four stars
Short and sweet. I like all the piano. Nice music to do a puzzle to.
A great storyteller that needed to have more albums on here. It is like sitting around the campfire and listening to a musician
Really nice, mellow listen. Willie’s storytelling is growing on me
Flew by, didn’t even notice it finished
More pleasant than I thought it was going to be. Good voice and guitar work. Nice variety of instruments rather than being SAME SAME SAME.
Bom folkisinho
God damn, this is some good country. Willie Nelson can sure get some toes tappin, but his real strengths come out on the tender ballads on this album. Gentle, slow, but still engaging due to impeccable arrangements and emotional storytelling. This is the perfect soundtrack to a campfire in the desert, or a retreat deep in the woods.
My favorite genre of country music is "cowboy tells you stories around the campfire" and surely this is one of the strongest examples. I never hear enough people praise Willie Nelson's voice and I really applaud his restraint on this album and how he lets the music breathe.
As a general rule I don't like country, and I don't like music where the main idea is to tell a story. But for every rule there's an exception, and Willie Nelson is amazing.
I'll always have a soft spot for Willie Nelson because my grandpa likes his music (and he met Willie!) as does my step-dad. And I quite enjoy his music myself. I like his singing voice and the simple, wholesome quality of the music. A cool thing Willie Nelson did recently was duet with Orville Peck on a queer cowboy song called "Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other".
Struggled with whether to give this a 3 or a 4, but I'll be generous today. It's super simple, but in a really great way -- very intentional, peaceful, and a neat concept. I especially love some of the instrumental tracks; there's something so soothing and heart-ache-ing-ly beautiful about them, e.g. "Just as I Am." Who knows how much I'll revisit this, but for now I'm quite the fan. Fave tracks: - Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain - Red Headed Stranger - Just as I Am - Denver - Can I Sleep in Your Arms - Bandera
If I have to listen to country music, I prefer this over the pop crap being produced now. I also have to give Willie props for the movie inspired by this album and Barbarosa, another great performance of Willie's.
I’d listen to a lot more country if it sounded like Willie.
I can appreciate Willie and enjoyed the album but he isn’t someone I want to listen to on the regular.
way better than i thought
I love Willie and I love this album. I also love the restaurant in Nashville named after it.
Good traditional country music
as minimalist and compact as it is emotional and evocative a great storytelling piece about loss, despair, and redemption, told through lyrics that are vague yet clear enough, and vocal performances that use pauses, spaces, or enter out of beat, giving a natural, almost conversational feel this minimalism also translates into the economy of musical resources; a mix of guitar and piano with sporadic and soft percussion demonstrates that a simple melody and a few chords can convey more emotion than much more ambitious productions
Good Willie
Great concept album that tells the story of lost love, revenge, murder and misery of a preacher in the west. Once I connected the story behind the music it made the album even better. This is an album that the listener needs to engage intellectually to enjoy.
What a great album, would listen to again
Quiet and calming, I love simple instrumentation
The more I listen to albums like this the more I realise I actually do like country. Who could have imagined!
Made the E train smell like campfire smoke and wide open spaces.
I am a sucker for a bluesy, country album and this did not disappoint! I like the storyline throughout all of the songs too— feels cohesive
First thought, this should be an absolute treat. Second thought, oh this is Willie Nelson, not Kenny Rogers. Third thought, "Yes an album with s through line!". 4th thought. This is quiet nice, not necessarily my thing, but still worthy of 4 stars
Favorite songs: Time of the Preacher, I Couldn’t Believe It Was True, Time of the Preacher Theme, Medley: Blue Rock Montana / Red Headed Stranger, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Red Headed Stranger, Time of the Preacher Theme, Just as I Am, Can I Sleep in Your Arms
A country concept album? This is one of the best country albums of all time. Authenticity, coherence, and great songs.
I really loved this album. It's an invitation to slow down and savor the simple things in life. Willie's voice is lovely, and the instrumentation is the perfect accompaniment.
I did rather enjoy this. I could quite happily have put this on, loaded up Red Dead Redemption 2 and rode a horsey through the mountains.
I can’t believe I’m going to give a country album more than a 2 but I found this really engaging and enjoyable, and just goes to show that it isn’t worth writing off a whole genre like I may have been quick to do in the past. I felt this had much more in common with traditional folk than some of the other tosh you get coming out of Nashville. The stripped back vibes really sold this to me as it put so much further emphasis on the lyrics and delivery. The percussion was subtle but enough to carry it where needed. I liked the bluegrass flourishes when they were added but songs like ‘can I sleep in your arms’ - simple songs at their heart - were the ones I found most enjoyable here. It’s a shame that this style of country has generally fallen out of favour.
I enjoyed this album. There is a strange similarity within these songs that also reminds me of other Willie songs.
Great listen. No skips
Great album ..taking us back to simpler times??
Just pure, clear straightforward solo folk-country. Willie’s got a beautiful voice. Sad storytelling. Won’t go back to it often, but I liked this quite a bit. Must-listen #353.
Æ har hørt overraskanes lite på Willie Nelson, egentlig, og det helt uten grunn, for æ like det jo veldig godt når æ gjør det?
me sinto vagando pelo deserto cok meu cavalo e um chapéu em minha cabeça desbravando o velho oeste sozinho
big lenda do country teria um vinyl desse álbum
New to me, very very good indeed. 4 stars, thank you for sharing RGP. Tom.
Not a fan of country music. But his voice is like a well played violin and I can listen to that with contentment. A calming album.
I thought this was pretty good actually. Maybe because I enjoy Sturgil Simpson Sturgill and Jason Isbell and Charlie Crockett today this is the origin story...It’s a masterclass in doing more with less: a sparse, haunted, quietly rebellious record that helped define outlaw country and proved that country music could be cinematic without being overproduced. Good stuff Willie!
uh i didnt expect this to be as serene as it was? beautiful lyricsm, vocals, calm atmosphere and just all together wonderous to be honest. in a world of yelling country fuckers a dime a dozen, be more willie.
I grew up where Willie is demi-deific, I was always going to like this album. Its really good, its not perfect, its what country music should be. 4/5
I love that raggedy cowboy. As with most concept albums, the concept is lost by the halfway mark, but who cares. Red Headed Stranger is a lovely little gem. My complaint is that many of the “songs” are really 90 second instrumental tracks, which are great, but unfit for my playlist-heavy lifestyle. I totally love the instruments on this though, and Willie’s sparse, tender lyrics. My favorites are Can I Sleep in Your Arms for the harmonies and that closing instrumental, Hands on the Wheel for lyrics, and Time of the Preacher Theme or the Blue Rock medley just because.
story album, go back and listen
not my usual listen, but a bittersweet collection of reflections and memories of times and people passed
Fav- blue eyes crying in the rain 4/5
Willie er góður kall. Þessi plata er falleg og ljúf.
very pretty! i feel like i could appreciate it even more if i had paid stronger attention to the lyrics but i enjoyed what i heard. Fav track: Bandera
Maybe not the best pick for a grey day where I'm struggling to not feel down, and everything starts to blur together by the end of the album. But, I'm still giving this a low 4 because I have a feeling that -in the right frame of mind- I'd really love it.
Neat little concept album and his voice is great
This album is by far the best experience that I have had with a Willie Nelson album. Feels pure and organic. Definitely a vibe.
I was pleasantly surprised by this. Country is really not my genre, but this album was really nice. I think it is mostly due to Willie Nelsons voice that carries his emotions open wide. Also, I like the tempo and tone that Nelson wants to convey to the listener. The music is best where there’s only a classic guitar and Nelson’s voice. When the tempo is turned up and piano comes in on a later song the music lost it’s magic a little. Favourites: Time of The Preacher, Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain, Red Headed Stranger.
Certainly his best album. Shotgun WIllie was too commercial, and Phases and Stages was too theatrical. Both of those albums are very good, but Red Headed stranger walks the fine line just about perfectly and stands above them. It's a concept album both full of beautiful interludes that lead into spectacular poetic displays of country and folk. Like a true outlaw, Willie stands against all odds, with only his guitar and occasional piano or bass following, laying an emotional tale of an outlaw on the run. What's also great is how he managed to tell the story in quick little snippets. Only three songs pass the 3-minute mark, but they all tell a story that an album twice the length struggles to.
Simple, delightful, but a bit sleepy.
Actually good music, it’s a surprise to be sure
Me gustó mucho la verdad. Una mezcla de folk y country.
Lo re disfruté la verdad
heerlijk!
Une voix à la James Taylor sur de country qui se transforme en folk. I couldn’t believe it was true
It's difficult to sound vulnerable and like a total badass at the same time, but Willie Nelson threads that needle here. Less is often more, and the sparse instrumentation and the simple yet evocative lyrics make a great pairing.
BÃO ALBUM DE COWBOY
Aoo carpeado
Really liked this album. Willie is a national treasure!
Heading in, I was only familiar with Willie through, admittedly, Beyonce. That to say I’m not particularly interested in country music generally, but I quickly came to understand why he’s loved, though, with this project. The music lets the story take the lead here, but not without some beautiful instrumental breaks and interludes that aid it. A brilliant concept constructed in a manner I’ve never seen before. With it being written around a cover surrounded by a mix of others and his own inclusions, all wonderfully executed by Willie, this is a special country album. 2 listens Favorite Track: Can I Sleep in Your Arms
Came to country later in my musical journey but man Willie makes it easy to love. Beautiful album.
A great listen
Would buy
like tbh high 3 but im rounding up bc i cant keep giving 3s
enjoyed this, love his voice
Pretty, sweet and pastoral
Ik vind dat country muziek veel is gestagneerd in het genre. Willie Nelson laat zien hoe het wel moet. Gewoon een cowboy met een gitaar. De country muziek is tegenwoordig richting pop gegaan en in alle verkeerde manieren. Dit album vond ik wel goed. Beter gaat bij mij het genre niet scoren denk ik. Ook is het wel lekker om deze nog na werk te fietsen als je overprikkeld bent. Dit album zou ik een hoge 3 sterren geven of een lage 4 sterren. Het probleem is dat het op een gegeven moment te veel hetzelfde is en het dan lastig is om te blijven focussen op de muziek
Je kan het bijna geen muziek noemen, zo minimalistisch. Verhalen vertellen op melodie. Het hoeft niet ingewikkeld te zijn.
Love a good concept album
good and short
Very enjoyable listen.
Baustelle, Gerstetten, Deutschland. Tolles Album, stabiler Dude.
Like a warm time with an old friend, despite never having heard this record before.
Can't go wrong with Willie, he is a natural storyteller
This came up on the day I took a trip to the country and it was the perfect soundtrack.
What a surprise! Loved this album and all the story telling, played it twice back to back🙂
Good
always love
nice, slow and relaxing music, felling like in a western...
so cute
feels like listening to my boyfriend explain the plot of a western he’s reading
I put off this album for so long because I got Kid Rock and Willie Nelson mixed up in my head. This certainly isn't Kid Rock
I thought this was going to make me feel like a cowboy, but it just made me think of cowboys occasionally while listening to it
Somehow, I don’t think I’ve ever listened to any Willie Nelson before, but I really enjoyed this album. I liked the storytelling and I find outlaw country of this era really interesting. I feel like I need to dig into some more of his discography and see what else I enjoy.
Classic. Het hele album is goed, maar vooral het laatste gedeelte is perfect.
Positivt överraskad
Är ingen countryskalle, men det här var ju bara för mysigt och oemotståndligt att dricka morgonkaffe till tyckte jag!
Hyllat Shotgun Willie sen San Andreas. Legend! Och den här skivan. Sååå mysig 🥰
sant, rent, vackert!
Wow, this one really surprised me! I have somewhat enjoyed some Willie Nelson stuff in the past, but only ever really on the level of appreciating it for what it is but not feeling all that strongly about it. But this particular album really did grab me, I love his storytelling abilites which was a huge part of what kept me so captivated, and his voice too is something that stands out more than you would think for this style of music.
Solid record. Was lucky enough to have a copy of this on vinyl from when my Dad gifted me his collection. I find some of his other work to be a bit more compelling than this. 4/5
Du soleil et Willie Nelson, j’aurais pas demandé mieux! Un album que je vais conserver pour mes prochains roadtrips! Je mets 4 étoiles juste parce que c’est assez simpliste, on sort pas de la grande créativité tant dans les paroles que musicalement. Mais j’ai adoré l’écoute entière de l’album. Mes préférées : Bandera, blues eyes crying in the rain, Time of preacher theme
4.2
Do I love this because I live in Texas now
Willie Nelson is another artist who, no matter his actual age, always looks like a 70-year-old man.
I know of Willie Nelson, and feel like I know what he sounds like, but I don't think I could name any of his songs. This is going to be the first album in a few days that's completely new to me. • Time of the Preacher is a very nice opening track, and I already know what the rest of the album will sound like from this. I really like his voice • I Couldn't Believe It Was True sounds really familiar, I don't know if I've heard this song before or just something that sounds very much like it • It's interesting how interwoven the songs are, by the seventh track you've already had Time of the Preacher, Time of the Preacher theme and a short version of the latter, as well as Red Headed Stranger already making two appearances. It's making the album feel really cohesive, like I'm listening to one continuous song. • I really liked how the short Time of the Preacher Theme led into Just as I Am. The second half of this song has by far the most instrumentation yet too, there are two guitars, a piano, a bass and drums. • Down Yonder is such an upbeat track compared to everything else so far • Can I Sleep In Your Arms is the longest song on the album by a decent margin, but it feels like it earns that length • I really like the guitar in Bandera This album was an absolute treat to listen to. The story it told throughout its tracks was told really well, and the instrumental tracks helped keep the pacing from feeling too rapid. I don't see myself revisiting any of the tracks on their own, as this feels like an album you can only really appreciate as a whole, but as a complete album it was really good. Favourite song: I Couldn't Believe It Was True
Mournful and forlorn, this is Outlaw Country to a T. Willie waxes poetic; covering a majority of the time, a handful of classic country tunes set to loose concept of a man who regretfully murders his spouse. It's a rather short listen, but the way this record is composed sounds like something coming out of a jail cell inmate who was given a guitar and a harmonica. It's very lovely stuff, and absolutely a must-hear.
Love me some brother Willie. Crazy this was his 18th album. And wild that he's written so many country songs but some of his most famous are covers. Love the voice and sound.
Me siento bien vaquera y country con este álbum, me voy a un bar de Denver a buscar pelea porque mi querida me dejó yeehaa
Good album, I’m starting to enjoy country
Loved this album. Listened to it twice. Definitely love younger Willie.
Love Willie. Not quite as conceptually interesting as other albums, but enjoyable
An album as remarkable and commendable for it's concept and context as much as it's content, so thankfully the content is as good as it gets. Sublimely understated compositions masterfully performed. The only thing keeping me from a 5 is the sequencing and repetition which I think will gel better for me after a few more listens.
"He's wild in his sorrow". What a great lyric. His voice is genuine and grabs you. I can't imagine putting this on but maybe I should think on why it doesn't occur to me. Good album and worth having on the list. I kind of wish I liked it more. It feels like it could take the right person somewhere special
Lekker album voor de achtergrond. Zou m zo weer opzetten
Powerless to describe this as anything other than "Cowboy Country", it's quite pleasing to the ear. Nelson has a great voice that's complimented well by the acoustic guitar. Each song is differentiated by it's lyrics up until "Just as I Am", which had a gentle piano break that was both welcome and beautiful. "Down Yonder" was a fun instrumental, with the piano taking to lead; I can understand, too, why Nelson did not choose to have lyrics to this song, as his voice is more suited for the somber, slow type of music. "Can I sleep in your arms" was beautiful and hard-hitting; Nelson's voice really soars on this track, and the gentle bass sells the whole thing. Then came the harmonica, which sent shivers down my spine. Just a constantly unfolding delight. Also really loved "Remember Me", "Hands on the Wheel", "Bonaparte's Retreat" and "Red Headed Stranger". I really enjoyed this album, but the 4 instead of the 5 due a lack of variety, even just in pace for most of the time. It gave me the same vibes as McLean's American Pie album, only McLean didn't do a job as great as Nelson. I also understand this is his 18th Studio Album! From all the way back in 1975. Want to pay my respects here, too, for that sheer creative output; great stuff.
Good
I don't think I've heard this much concept in a country album, so I'll give this one points. It's an enjoyable record with songs I can get with. From my understanding, it's a story about a preacher who kills his unfaithful wife and her lover. The dude kills another woman for touching his horse and then gets off scratch-free because it's THE OLD WEST. Then he goes to Denver, finds another woman and has a nice life. That's a pretty nutty but amusing story and I think it's done well enough. At least Willie Nelson isn't boring. Points for creativity (7/10, 4/5 on this scale)
Classic! Willie is a legend and his outlaw legacy will live on forever. Not much of a country fan but I do enjoy a good outlaw artist. I actually really enjoyed this album. Stand out songs: Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain Red Headed Stranger Denver Down Yonder Remember Me Hands on the Wheel Bandera
I'm not a country listener, but I do like Willie Nelson as a person for a lot of different reasons, and I'm glad I gave him a chance. He is extremely talented on the guitar. This album had a fun surprise for me, a Bach Minuet my children learned to play on the violin when they were little. He also has a really nice voice that doesn't have the twangy country style that grates for me. I was very pleasantly surprised by this album. 4/5 stars
Just Willie, a guitar, a piano and drums making the best country concept album there's ever been.
Pretty excellent
I liked this somewhat and for sure appreciate WNband all his contributions to the industry. Just a bit slow for my taste. Another one that needs a 10 point scale but I’ll give him the round up to separate from all the other 3’s. 3.5/5
Really enjoyed this. The songs were brief and to the point, and the album overall survives due to its minimalistic production and instrument approach. This is in the sweet spot of Willie which I think rounds out a bit better on his 1978 album Stardust.
Solid album. A little simple and slow but something very authentic about Willie that levels this up. 3.5 and giving the nod up to 4.
Time of the preacher - melancholic, soothing, lovely
To było bardzo przyjemne doświadczenie, myślę że będę wracać do tej płyty
OG Willie, not the rebel cowboy, but the gospel one. Love the callbacks to the time of the preacher theme throughout 4
Saved? ✅ Would listen again? ✅ Would recommend to anyone? 🤔 Would buy on Vinyl? ✅ So nostalgic
All you need is Willie & Trigger. 4
Terrific album.
Willie fkn Nelson Actually a pretty good album Doubting between 3 and 4 but because it’s Willie a 4
Pleasant easy going country album, all very well put together
I mean, pretty much anything Willie does is gonna be pretty enjoyable. I don’t know that I’ve ever felt like I’ve NEEDED to listen to Willie Nelson, but I’ve been glad every time I’ve taken the opportunity to. This record is really no different. 7.5/10
First Willie project I’ve listened too and I liked it
Before I listened to this album, I maybe knew 4 Willie Nelson songs. I looked at the track listing, and saw none of the songs I knew, and I got worried because I don't care for country music. If more country music were like this, I might actually like it. I usually like my music a little more produced than this, but by keeping it spare, it really helped bring out Willie's lyrics and unique voice. This did a lot of things I'm not used to in most country music: 15 songs (many tend to stick to 10, maybe 12), shorter songs... several under 2 minutes, and songs that seamlessly transitioned into other songs. For such a simply made album, there's a lot going on under the surface. Several songs just seemed to float into each other effortlessly.
Country and classic but the licorice and toon are surprisingly catchy and really good I love the harmonies and this album could get me into country
This is what country should sound like. Willie sounds genuine when he performs these songs, and they are not lacking emotions. Great album.
Really good. I think it has a lot to do with song length. but I really enjoyed it. nothing really sticks out in my head, but the album left me in a pleasant mood.
Telling my kid that Willie Nelson was the Snoop Dogg of his day
I'm really tired of concept albums, but these songs are very lovely.
Oh hell yeah. Don't trust people who don't love Willie Nelson.
Now this is what I’m talking about when I say I like *some* country music. Great writing/storytelling, and great vocals. Willie Nelson’s voice has always been so soothing to me. Lovely album.
Swell.
What a pleasent album that sounded great. 3,5 stars that'll happily round up. Best song was Time of the Preacher.
4.5 stars When I saw I had a Willie Nelson album I was not looking forward to listening. I’ve never listened to an album of his, but I didn’t reckon there’d be anything for me to like. My experience with Country on this list has been boring, uninteresting, and forgettable. But I found myself every few minutes questioning myself. Is this not bad? Wait, do I actually like this? Is this great? And the answer kept being yes. Stripped down, repetitive in a contemplative way, this brief concept album has great story telling, good music, effective delivery, and was a memorable ride. I kept thinking about it afterward and put it on again. This is a winner and a revelation. One of those instances of this thing doing what it’s supposed to do!
Like reading a western!
Great album 4.
Love the folky country vibe!!!
Agradável.trilha sonora de episódios faroeste do pica pau
I'm not a huge country fan. There's a few exceptions, but the majority of it just doesn't really speak to me. This is one of those exceptions. It's simple, and not overdone like a lot of the Nudie suit wearing types of artists. And Willie's voice is just awesome on top of that. Give me more of this.
I’m not gonna say this made me like country music. The quality here is about songwriting. The things that make me take issue with country music is absent from this quite beautiful record. My main takeaway today is actually how much I enjoy Willie’s vocals, and how unexpected it is that Red Headed Stranger comes across as a concept album.
I've never been a fan of Willie Nelson's voice, but his authenticity often makes up for it. The songs on this are solid and Willie is a national treasure.
I'm not into Country but this was a surprise. Short songs flowing into each other to tell the story. A good Sunday morning listen with a coffee.
It's a mix. There are some twangy ballads, some even-keel instrumentals, and a couple of sillier upbeat instrumentals. It feels like Willie inviting some friends over on a warm afternoon, trying out some different styles, and sending it off to the record company without worrying about sequencing or consistency. There's a gentleness to all of it that holds it together.
Great songwriter, singer and guitarist. This is simple and beautiful. Go, Willy, go!
The most intimate and stripped back album I’ve listened to on the generator so far (#23). There’s a transportive and pure beauty to the minimalism that’s so characteristically Willie.
😃
Ganske fine låter på denna
It's beautiful. I'm getting all verklempt over here—quintessential twangy country. Perhaps no one does it better than Willie.
The mellow and slightly dishevelled sound of sitting on the porch drinking rotgut rye as the sun goes down.
8/10 – Very Good
Alright, I've gotten 5 repeat artists in a row now. I wasn't really expecting this to happen so soon in the new year, but I also kinda was. But, at the end of the day, that isn't a bad thing when the albums in question are very good. Fortunately, most of these albums have been very good, and Red Headed Stranger is no different. I may not be a huge country fan in general, but I love me some Willie Nelson. Of the two albums he has on the list, I would say that I personally prefer Stardust, but I can see why one would feel the other way, as Red Headed Stranger has a lot to appreciate as well. I find this album's pacing to be super interesting. Many of the songs are short, and the album feels more like a song-cycle than just a collection of songs. This is pretty cool and it seems as though this album was kind of an innovator in that regard for country music. The general concept is neat, though its the general atmosphere of the album that really keeps me engaged. There's something about Willie Nelson's music that just feels... cozy. Again, I'm not really a country person, but the way that the acoustics and Willie's voice blend together just feels nice to listen to. I do prefer my country music to be on the more mellow side, and albums like Red Headed Stranger provide just that. Admittedly, this is one of those albums where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, but that doesn't mean that the individual songs are boring. There are some great tunes here, with the back-to-back "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" and "Red Headed Stranger" really appealing to me. The song choices are pretty good, and the instrumental performances are quite pleasant. I think I've found my answer for "Who is your favorite country artist?" I can't imagine that I'll get asked this much, but if I do, I'll be sure to mention Willie. Strong 4/5.
El bueno de Willie no puede faltar aquí. No soy experto en su discografía ni falta que me hace para apreciar la calidad de este disco. Acústico, acompañando su voz de guitarra, piano y algo de percusión. Can I Sleep in Your Arms es un perfecto ejemplo. Inspirado en Tale of the Red Headed Stranger, es un álbum sobrio y desnudo, normal que en Columbia pensaran que eran demos en vez del resultado final. Rick Rubin tomó buena nota... Incluye Sobre las olas, un vals del compositor mexicano Juventino Rosas Cadena, o Down Yonder un Honkie Tonk outlaw revivalista como también hicieron Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings o Kris Kristofferson entre otros. La joya es la versión de Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.
Country is not necessarily my thing. But I really enjoyed the slower, calmer country. I felt like I was sitting being serenaded by a campfire or slow mo montage on a horse back home to my family.
It was very short, but good
Simple, stripped back storytelling. I always love a concept album. Sounds like I'm in an old timey saloon listening to a man tell his sad story over a bottle of whiskey.
this album is so sweet. it nearly put me to sleep. favorites: red headed stranger; can i sleep in your arms
Country, outlaw country. I appreciate the stripped back sound, storytelling, and flow of some of the tracks.
I'm not a fan of country music but am discovering that I'm a fan of Willie Nelson. He's a great interpreter of songs and the emotion he's able to invoke is fantastic. Good album! Favorites: I Couldn't Believe It Was True, Red Headed Stranger Would I listen to it again: Yes
Pretty calm tunes, were a good fit for the book I was reading.
Nothing like a little classic country story telling. Very chill vibes and very enjoyable
So close to being a 5. Great old cowboy story and songs. 4.5/5
So good!!
4/5 easy listen. Old country and tells stories.kinda cool that the first couple of songs go into eachother you don’t even realize the next song is on
what a nice little album. absolutely loved and WILL be listening to from now on! love me a little cowboy country tune. although, at first, i didn't entirely enjoy, i came back to it later in the day, and i completely understand the hype. what a good album.
Class
full minimalist cowboy monk
Great album overall. It captures a melancholic feeling that I really felt when listening to the songs. I didn't know country music can make me cry.
Schon nice
Very nice minimalistic songs. And even for non-country fans like me a good solid album. Was a huge success as it came out although the record company was very sceptic about it. Good choice for this list.
Felt like watching the beginning of Sinners ; loved 'I couldn't believe it was true' + 'Red-headed stranger' + 'Down Yonder' + 'Bandera' !
This was actually a pretty amazing album. I don't have a history with country music. First listen: this is ok, but why is the first song reprised twice later in. Bit of research and a deeper listen the 2nd and 3d time and wowee, it all makes sense.
Such a unique voice. So easy to listen to
Took a while to get the layout of the story being told bur overall a nice album.
One of my favorite country albums
I didn’t expect to enjoy a country concept album about a man who killed his wife and her lover, but this album surprised me. The story is interesting and well told, and the music is calm and easy to listen to. Even with the dark themes, the album feels very chill and relaxed. It was another new experience, and I ended up enjoying it a lot.
very chill, songs flow into each other so nicely. Short and sweet
Very country twangy, and I liked it way more than I expected.
I really liked this one
Simple but it's a genre that gets me every time
The vibes are really bobbing exactly what you want a Willie Nelson album to be like.
Not something I would pick up on my own but it was a light listen and it was quit fine. I generally preffered the instrumental tracks over the ones that contain vocals. Favourite songs: Down Yonder, Can I Sleep in Your Arms, Bandera
--Time of the Preacher...like drinking cool iced tea --I Couldn't Believe It Was True...toe tapper --Time of the Preacher Theme...dark --Medley...ho-hum --Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain...sometimes a classic arrangement is classic for a reason --Red Headed Stranger...I feel like I'm playing New Vegas. That's a compliment --Preacher Theme (Short Version)...very short --Just as I Am...sweet piano interlude --Denver...nice little bit of storytelling --O'er the Waves...a fun tropical diversion --Down Yonder...some mighty fine pian-ee! --Can I Sleep in Your Arms...beautiful --Remember Me (When the Candle Lights Are Gleaming)...for some reason I'm disappointed this isn't sadder --Hands on the Wheel...nice but a little long for how samey things are starting to get. almost done --Bandera...pleasant instrumental outro
So classic Willie, loved it
Fantastic album, though a bit to slow to be something I overwhelmingly enjoy.
Fuck yeah Willie Nelson
divorced dad album, bro great
Soothing and pretty. I really like the jaunty ragtime intermissions.
My first full Willie Nelson album and it did not disappoint.
A collection of beautiful, if occasionally slight, songs that add up to more than the sum of their parts when listened to as an album.
Packed for Sri Lanka whilst listening to this
Ilus ja lihtne album. Mees ja kitarr, mõned pillid juures ja osav jutuvestmine. Kuidagi paneb mõtlema selliste õhtute peale, kus ümberringi on vaikus ja sa mängid kitarri ning laulad juurde, aeg mujalt lihtsalt seisab. Kaunis rahu. 4/5
If not the best country album, it might be the loveliest. Just a gorgeous and atmospheric acoustic record.
7/10 не моё
4 stars
Great songwriter!
Great vocals, 4
Not something I would normally listen to but I don't skip a Willie Nelson song either.
Such a sad album lyrically speaking. Enjoyed Willie Nelson, although I’m not a country fan overall.
I'm not really a big fan of country, but it's impossible not to like Willie Nelson. The music on this album isn't bad. Just a guy telling a story with his guitar. Willie's voice takes it from average to really good.