Red Headed Stranger

Simple and too the point old school Country album. With a little grit played by Willies fingers. It has a theme and songs that pop in and out of the tracklist Beautiful for all the wrong reasons. His voice tells a story and he tells it like it is. 4/5

Awesome awesome awesome country music. Willie is one of the GOATS of music in general.

Already listened, loved it

Up until now, although I was aware of Willie Nelson’s music, I mostly associated him with his activism, especially around marijuana legalization and LGBTQ+ rights.I was genuinely surprised by the stripped-back production—it feels so raw and honest. I later found out that this style was actually a deliberate pushback against the more polished, mainstream Nashville Sound, which just added a new layer of appreciation for me. This discovery led me down a bit of a Google rabbit hole, learning more about the “outlaw country” movement, which is all about authenticity and breaking industry norms. There’s something timeless and soulful about Nelson’s voice and his storytelling; he captures emotions in such a simple yet powerful way. I’ll definitely be coming back to this album—it’s clear now why he’s so revered not just as a musician, but as a true artist with a unique voice.

I really like Willie Nelson's voice. I love a lot of these songs. "Down Yonder" is my favorite. I wish more of the songs were in this style rather than the slow soothing ballads. I like this a lot too though. 7/10

Willie Nelson to me is an older guy who shows up as a side character for a single scene in where the joke is about smoking weed in random movies. That being said I got kind off excited when this was todays album since I've never heard his music. I really liked this album. Slow country music with guitars and a really nice voice. This seems perfect to put on at home and just leave playing while reading in the evening.

What a fun little listen! This is my first Willie Nelson album, and given his popularity, I was initially caught off guard by how minimalistic and rudimentary everything sounded here. Obviously, that didn't last long, you get a song like 'Down Yonder' deep into this album that sounds like something you'd hear in a saloon. I'd say the music and instrumentation open up and become more varied as the album progresses, which feels intentional given the story progression. Willie Nelson is a great singer, but this album's obvious draw is its overarching story about the "stranger" protagonist. I mean it certainly lives up to its "outlaw country" genre tag, that guy kills his spouse for cheating and then kills a lady for touching his horse? Only to get to Denver and fall in love again. The love songs closing out the record, I assume targeted at this new love interest, were the highlights for me - specifically 'Hands on the Wheel' and 'Can I Sleep in Your Arms'. Given the guy is a borderline psychopath, the song 'Hands on the Wheel' detailing his aging and getting a family with this new girl was still very heartfelt and warm somehow. Speaks to Nelsons' talents I suppose. Something about this album just feels really authentic. No unnecessarily long runtime and no posturing - just a nice little sonic journey through the country that's performed and written exceptionally well.

country at its best; mournful and gorgeous and aching. such pure, tight songwriting. i love folk and old school country, but am embarrassingly unacquainted with willie nelson. what a wonderful introduction. timeless. those last three songs, wow. also, this mf has 153 albums????? they don’t make em like this anymore.

Definitely a cooler concept than Stardust but still like it a little less. Still amazing and so comforting. Rating: 4.4

Willie really broke it down in this concept album; his voice and guitar carrying the bulk of the weight. The album tells a simple, haunting story about a preacher drifting from town to town, looking for something he lost. After his wife leaves him, he carries a mix of hurt and anger, trying to find peace but holding on to a bit of revenge, too. Each song feels like a scene from an old Western, raw and honest. The quiet music pulls you in close, making you feel like you’re right there, riding along on dusty roads, watching his journey unfold. It’s a story that feels real, like it’s told around a fire on a cold night.

His voice and the feeling behind every line is amazing. And the sparse instrumentation lets the story shine.

Really nice chill country music, almost felt like one continuous song. Fave songs were ‘Just As I Am’ and ‘Red Headed Stranger’.

This is a smooth, sensitive, heartfelt album that puts you in a time and place. I feel like I can smell the barroom, taste the light beer, and see the cigarette dangling from the steel guitarists lips. The country guitar, lilty piano and Jews harp jams, mixed with the slow and thoughtful lyrics, make for a sweet romp.

I am not a huge fan of "theme" albums, which is why I can't totally get into bands like The Who. Pete Townsend is obsessed with making rock operas and it doesn't always work for me. Red Headed Stranger is different though. There's enough variety here to warrant repeated listenings. These songs can be heard as a theme or just heard individually (like Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain always has been) as great music. I am more of a "greatest hits" Willie Nelson fan still, as there just is not a time when I want to put a Willie Nelson album on. I think if I just kept listening to this album, then my mind could change. This is an essential album in my opinion, because there isn't a "bad" track on here and Willie delivers the songs in his laid back manner to where I was compelled to pay attention to the lyrics. Two of the best songs are among the last three tracks on the album, which isn't something most artists could say when it comes to a "thematic" album, because usually it runs out of steam at the end. Not on this one though.

80% Best: Time of the Preacher; Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain; Red Headed Stranger; Can I Sleep in Your Arms; Remember Me (When the Candle Lights Are Gleaming) Must-Hear? Almost

Second time in a couple of weeks where I start the review with "I don't like country, but ...". Willie Nelson has a great voice; very listenable, and the material is suitably simple. This works pretty well for me.

Overall, I liked it. I'm not into country, but there's a pleasant nostalgia that comes from Willie's style in this album. I definitely saved a few songs for later.

Didn’t expect to like willie but super relaxing

The Red Headed Stranger sure can spin a yarn! The album itself is a little sleepy, but despite the fact that it’s country you can still listen to it. Best song is the instrumental Down Yonder when Willie goes into a dance and doubles on kazoo. He also plays some great ragtime piano. Interested in seeing the movie sometime if anyone else is in. (3.8*s)

Damn he got a nack for storytelling, Would listen again

Compared to the shit albums we have been getting, this ones a masterpiece. Just some nice relaxing country blues.

A low down hoedown from the big Willie himself

Songs: Blue Eyes Cryin in the Rain

i dont imagine there's a tonnnn of country on this list but there's probably enough to trip me up a little because, as is the case with most Online Music Fans, it is not a genre i have rly found a consistent way into yet in an album presentation. however not only is this rly good but its also v different from the couple of more nashville-y country records ive rolled so far...its a lot sparser and spacier and while thats not usually my intuitive preference i think opening up the space rly rly does something for my appreciation, simultaneously bigger and even cosmic while also being comfier and more intimate. some sparkling pianos on here i always love, and clearly beautiful country melodies even tho its not an idiom i can seamlessly navigate atm. if anyone has country recs (from any era really) lemme know, ive been living in texas for over half a decade now im running out of excuses!

Another Willie Nelson album. I really enjoyed it, but don’t have much more to say besides that. More of the same, and it’s good. Standouts: Time of the Preacher, Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain, Red Headed Stranger, Just As I Am, Can I Sleep in Your Arms, Hands on the Wheel, and Bandera.

Pretty good.

this album reminds me of rdr2 (recently finished the game) great album

8/10. It was a slow, calm collection of songs. They were all very good and felt very cohesive from one to the next.

Willie as his popularity grew.. Raw and simple, a delight

Honestly, this was way better than I thought it was going to be. I'm not a huge country fan or a fan of Willie Nelson, but the songs were well-written.

It's really hard for me to be objective, this kind of music is incredibly nostalgic, due to my mom being from the south. With that said, this Willie Nelson album is like a warm blanket wrapped around your shoulders on a silent Texas Prairie night, smoking on the porch, looking at the stars. Oddly lonely, but still comforting. Nice break from the over produced nashville sounds I've heard on my list recently, too.

There's not much to dislike here. Just classic outlaw country at its finest.

Good album. Quiet and mellow. Good for camping and road trips.

Yee-haw 🤠

This is very good. “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” never fails to make me emotional. I think having the same song three times, albeit different iterations, is a bit weird. Especially when that’s only for the first half. Would not hesitate to listen to this again. 4/5

A lovely introduction into the master of country and weed.

This was fantastic. I've heard various willy Nelson but never listened through a full album. Enjoyed almost every track

On the road again

Nice low key country

Willie Nelson is a Treasure. Old tunes, but all Willie.

Cool country

This is exactly the type of album I hope to get from this project because I would never pick it out myself but it was amazing

I remember when a dime bag cost a dime

Willie Nelson seems like such a laid back guy and this album sure doesn't disprove that. Really nice, really emotional music -some interesting lyrics (For you can't hang a man for killin' a woman Who's tryin' to steal your horse: this was news to me) -I have a real soft spot for outlaw country and willie nelson has in my mind always trailed after the man in black but I'd recommend to anyone and I'm really pleased I know some of Willie's music now -a good starting point!

Never listened to Willie before, this was just a pleasant experience

I've heard a fair share of albums and songs from Willie Nelson before, and cannot deny he is one of the greatest country artists to walk this earth. Red Headed Stranger is considered one of his greatest albums, conceptually written around an earlier song from Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith that Nelson would cover for the centerpiece here. Throughout my listening, there is a calming and comforting nature as Willie strums away on his guitar and sings with a warm vocal delivery about a preacher who has a falling out with his wife, murders her, and then finds love elsewhere. It's amazing how he tied a few cover songs like the aforementioned "Red Headed Stranger" and Fred Rose's "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" into a rather dark narrative that works. The only problem with this album is one drawn from having listened to Willie Nelson many times - songs tend to sound the same. Save for the cover of L. Wolfe Gilbert's "Down Yonder" as performed by Willie's sister Bobbie, most of this album is the laid-back outlaw country style that folks who have heard him perform here and there would be familiar with. Not helping matters is how half of the songs here don't crack the two-minute length, and that there are two reprises of "Time of the Preacher" in the middle of the album. Still, if you're into Willie Nelson and don't mind how similar his songs are, then this is an enjoyable listen all the way through. Give it a chance.

Didn't think I'd like this one, and was very pleasantly surprised. I think I'll listen to more.

I didn’t know that I needed murder country concept albums in my life but I’m so here for it

I liked this, but not as much as Stardust. Willie Nelson has a great voice, and I like the storytelling of the album, but probably wouldn't play this repeatedly

I was really taken aback by his guitar playing! Really good stuff, though I couldn't pinpoint one song from another, it was all things I'd go back to. :)

Aaaah Willie. Country Snoop. Can’t say enough about this man as a PERSON. What he’s done for the people, the world. As for the record it’s definitely one of his best. I like it. I respect the hell out of it. I’m never gonna put it on repeat though, just not my style I guess. That said- were I to be more into country THIS year old be my style. His wavering voice and subtly killer guitar. He’s just a big ball of talent. Ironically I just saw a clip of his son Lucas playing ‘Just Breathe’ with Eddie Vedder and I couldn’t get over how his voice sounds so much like his pops. Willie will always get 3 stars base for being Willie.

great songs and pretty spare instrumentation - a classic

I liked this quite a bit, but I've had a soft spot for Willie Nelson for years, largely because of "Stardust" which is just a fantastic record.

I actually really liked this album

There is an emotional depth to his voice which is quite appealing

Good album.

Cool western

Sounds like it was created in a college experimental music class.

God Bless Willie Nelson!

++: I Couldn't Believe It Was True, Can I Sleep in Your Arms, Remember Me (When the Candlelights Are Gleaming) +: Time of the Preacher, Time of the Preacher Theme, Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain, Red Headed Stranger, Time of the Preacher Theme, Just As I Am, Denver, O'er the Waves, Down Yonder, Hands on the Wheel, Bandera +- Medley: Blue Rock Montana / Red Headed Stranger 7,2/10

Willie Nelson has this amazing ability to make you feel like a 1800s cowboy no matter where you are or when you were born. He encapsulates this classic southern vibe so well and creates a blanket of country to wrap yourself in. Fantastic songwriting and performances from him. Favorites were Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Red Headed Stranger, and Can I Sleep in your Arms

I really enjoyed that. The simplicity of the instrumentals allowed me to focus on the lyrics and his voice which are both great. Favorite songs were Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain, Red Headed Stranger, Down Yonder, Remember Me, and Hands On The Wheel.

That guitar and harmonica the end of Can I Sleep in Your Arms is five stars on its own. This album lost me a bit but thats more because of taste rather than quality. Overall this was an easy, lovely listen and a great taste breaker for myself!

I'm a big fan of classic country...not so big a fan of Willie Nelson though. Honestly though I was so happy not to have to listen to another psychedelic rock album today that I ended up loving this. 4/5

Good stuff

stripped down, no frills country album. a man and his trusted acoustic guitar with occasional piano and harmonica. classic album from a legendary artist. highlights: “blue eyes crying in the rain” “red headed stranger” “can i sleep in your arms”

Somehow Willie Nelson has managed to fit a whole Western tale of love, betrayal and revenge into 15 songs and 34 minutes without ever feeling rushed or constrained. This is evocative music, recalling dusty mesas and smoky saloons, a million miles away from the shmaltzy strings and glittering rhinestones of Nashville. Western music for outlaws!

Surprisingly enjoyable for a genre I don't really care about. Good interpretation, the laid-back songs are not boring, and there are some slightly more upbeat songs that are quite nice.

Really enjoyable!

Made me feel sleepy. In a good way

Good album. Like the middle the most and that solemn guitar

Red Headed Stranger is a captivating album that stands out even if you’re not traditionally a country fan. The album's minimalist approach, featuring Willie Nelson's signature classical guitar and his warm, comforting voice, places him at the center of the music. For me, this album holds a special place, coming in as a close second to “Stardust”, which remains my favorite Willie Nelson album. This record has a unique ability to transport me back to my dad’s family's mountain home in Virginia. Listening to it evokes memories of playing on old porches surrounded by dense woods—a place that felt both enchanting and intimidating. The haunting beauty of the music resonates with the eerie, yet magical atmosphere of those childhood nights. Willie Nelson’s songs manage to capture that sense of wonder and fear, only to remind me that there’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s a profound testament to his ability to evoke emotion and nostalgia through his music. 4.5

Good ole Willie. I love the old western country style. There's a heavy gospel vibe on several songs that takes me back to the church pew I so often sat on as a child. Not sure why there's three Time of the Preacher songs, but the short version is hilarious. I thought, "Oh, here it goes again. Oh, it's over." This album takes you to church, then to a saloon in west El Paso, and the dusty trails in between. It isn't something I would listen to regularly, but Willie is fun from time to time. Remember Me is my favorite on here.

Country served with a side of Western. Country isn't my favorite genre or my way of life, but I've always got time for a bit of Willie Nelson and his ilk. There is something about him and those older country singers that I can surprisingly stand compared to the stadium country or pop country that was prevalent in my youth. Sometimes they sing about lurid things from the Old West days, but with such calm stoicism, like of course you needed to shoot that yellow-haired lady; she was trying to steal the horse your dead wife rode. It is what it is. For me, this is entertaining in its unrelatability. The music is straight forward, with clean, sometimes sparse instrumentation, with structures, melodies and storytelling steeped in old folk traditions. They're just singing it straight, so that you really get to know all of the qualities of their voices, their phrasings, their idiolects. There's no place for anything to hide, just them staring you right in the face. After years of hearing these unique voices here and there, you get to know them well, and they become warm and familiar, like old friends, like grandparently figures dispensing advice and tales from eras gone by. Willie is our outlaw country granddad, and I enjoyed my visit with him.

Never listened to Willie before but really enjoyed this.

Willie is always enjoyable. Just makes me feel like im sitting in a dive bar somewhere, forgetting about the world between beers and an old man is sitting there belting out their own sorrows. Comfort

Wet laid-back, relaxing cowboy folk music. Nelson is the master of this genre. Country isn’t typically my favorite, but I did quite enjoy this listen.

I always say that I don't consider myself a fan of country music. These sorts of albums are starting to change my mind. I guess I need to qualify it and say that I'm not a fan of "bro country" or "country pop."

Fantastic traditional country album

ed eccoci qui, quanto adoro gli album che raccontano una storia. un uomo e la sua chitarra ad incantare i cowboy quando sono stanchi e a fine giornata vanno a bersi una birra al saloon. bellissimo.

I am thoroughly and positively suprised. I knew some of Willie’s hits, but I’ve never listened to any of his albums besides Stardust. I really liked this one - I totally understand why Willie Nelson is such a respected artist and legend. This is an album that I will put on again.

I had never listened to this before, but I love it. Completely drawn in by his great storytelling and its beautiful simplicity

Some singers are in the pocket some are a little before or after the pocket. Willie sings when he wants to...the pocket be damned. It's one of the things that make him one of a kind.

A beautiful album

Hell yea, let's go Willie. That ruled, but requires a second listen.

I really liked the instrumentals on this one, so it was funny to see that the studio was nervous about the sparse arrangement before it was released! The piano especially was really lovely! This is a really solid album. I haven't listened to a ton of Willie Nelson, and country doesn't tend to be my genre, but I enjoyed this one. The concept album style worked really well and made for a really cohesive and consistent listen overall. It's one I think I would listen to again!

wasn't expecting it to be this good. Would definitely go back to this one.

This album was a whole lot of fun from start to finish. Wasn’t overly familiar with too much Willie but off the back of this terrific album I’ll certainly listen to him from time to time.

I Willy liked this one!

Not as bad as I thought it was going to be

Intriguing album, love the narrative of it.

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Nostalgic. 4.5

Great, love Nelson's voice. Evocative way to tell a story. The continuous use of similar themes and motifs is interesting from a story telling and artistic perspective, although the listening experience becomes slightly repetitive because of it

Now this is my kind of Willie Nelson album, I enjoyed Stardust well enough but this is the county singer at his best. His voice is great and surpassed only buy the sorytelling.

Timeless, really puts the "rock" in "rocking chair"

Favourite Willie. Outlaw Dawg

I love the lore behind some the albums on the list, like this one. Willie was tired of the overproduced Nashville sound, holes up in a new studio in Texas and laid this down in under a week, including mixing. Like, how? More talent in his pinkie finger...

Shout out Ramona

I lloved it, Just a simple production with excellent stories

This is just good, honest country music done brilliantly. Not necessarily going to blow you away, but hard to go wrong with this kind of style.

I'm not a country music person but I enjoyed this album. It's also quite short (only ~34 minutes).

This was his 18th album...in 1975. Damn.

I'm really not a country music person but this the kind of country I'll happily listen to. I like that the whole album is a story, Nelson's got a distinct and capable voice, and the songs are simple and performed well. Really nothing to complain about here. Good stuff.

I love the sparse instrumentation and the gentle sound of this album. He has a very pleasant voice that blends wonderfully with his understated guitar playing. The pacing is also perfect, which sure is important for a concept album. I'm generally not a huge fan of concept albums, and country isn't my favorite genre either. Red Headed Stranger is nonetheless beautiful, cohesive, and captivating all the way through. I'm quite sure this album will grow on me. :)

A great story-telling album. Switches moods around a lot from somber to raucous fun. Cool to have the recurring theme/sound that it weaves in and out of on a continuous journey through the album. Overall, it’s very immersive and flies by.

Country can be a hard genre to grasp. Red Headed Stranger feels not only like a primer for the genre, but also its True North. This is a dense record, and because it’s a first-time listen for me, I’m not sure if I’ve been fully able to digest it. Country is not my genre – I know the broad strokes, but I mostly stick to more contemporary female singers that play with pop, aka Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, The Chicks, Shania, etc. – but I really did love Nelson’s Stardust on face value, so I was really excited for this. But unlike Stardust, whose pop tunes hit you straight on the nose, Red Headed Stranger is a complex slow-burn. Now, I’m sure if I had a more refined palette for country, the nuances of this album would feel obvious, but I’d also argue that this is the album that taught most modern country fans to appreciate those nuances, or so it seems. Nelson’s guitar playing specifically feels so detailed, so subtle but with this nonchalant confidence. Ironically, it reminds me a lot of Neil Young’s playing. This album is also varied, with a lot of different styles of “country,” from barn-burners to love songs and everything in between. It may have been against the textbook upon release, but it feels textbook now, although much more nonchalant than a Zach Bryan or Sturgill Simpson. Still, with all that praise aside, I’m not sure if I am fully in love with this album. It’s great, don’t get me wrong, and I do like it, but it doesn’t stick with me like other albums have, even other country albums. Some of that is just me needing a lot more time with it – it’s an album that I 100% need to revisit as I continue on with this project, because I’m sure I’ll enjoy it more with time. That said, I think Side B was much more my speed than Side A; I’m not sure if that’s because the theatrical story-telling of Side A with its reprises and traditionalism threw me off, or if I just like Nelson’s voice when he’s doing more ballads and/or rock-oriented jams, but there’s an immediacy to Side B that stands out from the concept record context. What I will say is that this album is a bit of a code-breaker, because it’s using the “language” of country music to make commentary on the genre, old and new. So now, any time I have “issues” comprehending a country album, I think this will be the one I revisit to help me see what’s going on more clearly. Because of that, I anticipate that I’ll revisit this a lot in the future, and I now understand why it’s held in such high esteem. That said, while very good, it doesn’t transcend the way I wanted it to, at least not after a couple listens. Maybe more Nelson beyond this challenge will make me regret giving it a 4/5, but I also can’t say I love this fully, just like it and appreciate it.

What on earth, a country album that I actually liked?! Either there's something intrinsically different about this one or this lists endless barrage of country music has finally broken me. Second half petered out a bit but the first half was pretty stellar.

real shit

Willie (L)

I never knew it, but I kinda like Willie Nelson, I'll have to try some more albums of his. Will I listen to again: 75%

A country classic.

What a delightful little album.

Willie has such an earnest, weathered-knowingness quality to his voice that you can easily believe whatever he is singing. He's feeling it if it's not something that he's experienced. I loved the spare production, the flow of the songs and the relaxed vibe. It's a Willie classic!

I’ve always liked Willie Nelson but never taken the time to listen to a full album. This was great, everything I’d want from a country album really

I really liked this despite the genre. It also reminded me that I really have to re-watch (the BBC series) Edge of Darkness. (In that series Time of the Preacher is referenced by one of the main characters).

Really dig this one. I like how the songs just roll together.

Gingers triumphing over blondes, we love to see it😂 Listened at the start of my trip home from Lucas', so the song about sleeping \"all alone\" was a bit depressing. But the train journeys are before sundown these days and I saw plenty of rabbits from the window seat :)) similarly, the album ended on a hopeful note. I enjoyed it, but I mainly think it's because I'm being charmed by this guy lol. He's adorable

So good.

Nice chill country vibes. The storytelling is great.

Yeah this worked for me, very chilled, evocative music. Maybe I should be a cowboy.

Solid record, solid voice ,solid writing and storytelling and wonderful instrumentation.

ive been listening to a lot of country the last few days so this album came a a great time. i really like the songs but its almost too subtle at points for me. im sure this will grow on me a lot over time but for now it gets a 7/10

Great storytelling in his song writing. Especially in the title track.

I can’t say I had ever heard any Willie Nelson before, and I don’t usually get into country music, but this was pretty great. Will definitely listen to again.

kirkas, puhdas musiikki. Koncept album... tätä se aikoinaan oli MUSIIKKIA! tämän kaltaista musiikkia ei nykyään sallittaisi, peruttaisiin tviitterissä vai missälie... heinähangot kädessä ryminöisivät, jos töissä kävisivät... ainoa huono puoli että HUUME HÖRHÖ..... willie willie willie....... TAIVAAN TUULISSA ELELEE.... biisien pituuksista, tiedän että normit onn normeja mutta jos niin hyvä artisti niin voisi niistä normeista poistua... poistua ja tehdä yli 2 minuutin pituisia musiikinpätkiä. esimerkiksi 17 minuutin pituinen laulu olisi ollut hieno tähän konseptiin, incredibly sad tale of man possibly? Can I Sleep in Your Arms

Great classic country song writing and the best vocals. That said this one is a little repetitive and not too varied

I'm not a big country music fan, but this is an excellent album. Great vocals and theme and solid production. 4/5

Willie 🔥

Nice

Great album with a very different vibe then what I usually listen to. The sad-folkly country vibe is very comforting

Glad to listen to this one, which I picked put of the backlog because I’ve been listening to Cowboy Carter somewhat obsessively. Interesting echoes: the survey aspect, the occasional prominence of instrumental over vocal. And I do like Willie’s turn of phrase.

I feel conflicted about this album in a few ways after listening to it about 3 times. If you only listen to the music and don't pay attention to the lyrics, it's pretty soothing. It almost feels like an album of lullabies, and I could totally see myself drifting off to sleep with this playing in the background. On the other hand, because it is so mellow and because it has repeating motifs, my mind kept beginning to wander by the last few songs each time I listened, even though it's fairly short. Lyrically, I'm also conflicted about this, because the story is a lot darker than the music lets on. It's kind of a classic Western story trope about a man getting revenge against people who have wronged him and then wanting to move on with his life. But I did get the ick at the fact that there's quite a lot of violence against women in this. Sure, they're not innocent of wrongdoing, and he also kills the man his wife cheated with, but the whole domestic violence/man who can't control his rage thing is pretty yikes. And the horse thief being another deceitful woman (when it could've just as easily been a guy) starts to set up an uncomfortable theme. And then the dude looks for redemption in the arms of another woman, who he swears he'll never hurt like the others — not the most reliable narrator, though, is he? Granted, Willie's not necessarily condoning the guy's actions, but still. Out of context, "Blues Eyes Crying in the Rain" and "Can I Sleep in Your Arms" are beautiful ballads. But in the context of the wider story, they're kind of creepy. Pros: The music is pretty (if a little boring) and Willie's voice sounds great. It's a nice, stripped-down album, and I think the record company was very wrong in thinking it needed more production to be viable. Cons: The best songs on the album work better outside of the context of the album's full narrative, which is kind of creepy. I'll give it a 4, but it's probably more of a 3.5

All around classic.

Good

This was great. I'm not American so country music isn't as pervasive, but I'd still heard if Willie. I've already had some country on this list that I hated so wasn't sure going in but my fears were soon calmed. There is a real warmth to this that I can't quantify, it was a delight to listen to. The story telling was great, the voice was very comforting and the music was surprisingly diverse.

It sounds and feel like one long song and that's not a bad thing. First listen and instantly recognized it as a classic. Won't be for everybody, but it's a beautiful piece of work.

I don’t think I’ve listened to a Willie Nelson record on purpose but here we go. Admittedly I am not a country fan but I always appreciate good songwriting. First few tracks didn’t do much for me but I did like the storytelling element. I feel like that’s his trademark. I can picture a campfire with some bros listening to this while getting shitcanned on natty lite but they’re having a great time so it’s nice. The title track has a cool waltz feel to it, which I’ve always been a fan of. Something you can sway to! And who doesn’t love an outlaw story anyway. I think it’s about someone stealing a horse and a yellow haired lady? Very cool little ditty even if murder is a thing. The rest of the record has a few moments of more upbeat stuff, like in Down Yonder, but the man is a legend for a reason. Not my favorite kind of chill but definitely deserves a spot in this list.

Pretty chill. Apparently I didn't keep notes on this, so, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty chill.

Great themes and gentle soothing tunes

Willie’s a gem. I never really listened to him, I mean we’ve all heard him now and then, but I’ve never listened to an album. I was expecting a little more hard-core Hank Williams old-school country with all the weeping pedal-steel guitar. Surprisingly sparse really, just Willie and Trigger banging out the tunes for the most part. He has has a friendly, relaxing voice.

Holy fuck I didn't know Willie Nelson can sing. Never listened to a single song of his before. At first, I thought this was just an above standard country album that nicely blends into the background. But then halfway through I realized that this is an above standard CONCEPT country album that deserves my full attention. So I listened to half of the songs again to get the full story. Quite the unoriginal tale of a cowboy shooting his cheating wife and then finding true love again, but beautifully told. Musically not my favorite genre, but I get why it made the list.

Anytime someone says they don't like country - and I say it too often myself - play them some 70s Willie Nelson. This is just real nice. 15 songs, 33 minutes. Willie makes his point and gets out. Mostly just Willie on vocals and guitar save gentle backing/adornment on most songs, this music really works best this way. Also I think I don't love pedal steel which is notably *not* featured on this album, so it comes across as more universal - more folk. I particularly enjoy the piano as accompaniment. A very comforting album that's relaxing to listen to. Highly recommended. 8/10 4 stars.

Good

Mellow sweet and sad. Lovely.

Very pleasant and down to earth. Great contender for "soundtrack material". Some songs very short or not that distinct. Notes: - "Time of The Preacher" Nice Buildup ...and "Buildback" - "Blue Eyes Cryin In The Rain" Tasteful Instrumental section and vocal harmonies afterwards - Seamless "Time of the Preacher Short" to "Just As I Am" - "Can I Sleep In Your Arms" sticks out and seems a bit more varied

Willie Nelson einfach. Gut zum gemütlichen Beisammensein am Kamin.

Another "I know them, but don't really know them artist". The kind of country music that my Dad listened to rather than the modern overblown Nashville flavour. Gently floated out of my speakers in the background, great vocals, great songwriting.

My knowledge of Willie Nelson is of his later life persona as a stoned grandpa as well as the song "Look Around You" portrayed in one of my favorite TV shows, Lost. This was great honestly. No one track stood out, but it felt like I was sitting in the Smokey Mountains with Willie with just his guitar and the atmosphere to set the mood. I look forward to hearing more from The Stranger.

Very solid Willie record. Love the concept and layout. 4/5

high as fuck cowboys make the best kind of country. Love this guy and his music.

yeehaw

Great classic country album. Willie has the best voice

Really loved this. Forget how much I am a country lover.

I liked this Willie Nelson better than the previous I've heard. Much less slow and drawly. Definitely still traditional country but a cleaner and more upbeat treat.

One of Nelson's best, great listen!

You know me... I love my country...music. Willy Nelson is no exception. The harmonica, the acoustic guitar, and Nelson's sultry voice weaves a wonderful web of phonics that support the sometimes silly song stories on this album. The length of this album was short and sweet and perfect Wieners: Red Headed Stranger, Down Yonder, Can I Sleep in Your Arms - I am such a sick love fool idiot but I love love songs and the like. Bandera has really cool finger picking and harmonica. Losers: N/A Nelson can do no wrong in my eyes.

That last piano tune was stunning. Enjoyed this a LOT more than I expected to.

Absolutely gorgeous. Willie Nelson has a lovely voice and tells a compelling story throughout the album. A beautiful homage to Americana and the oral traditions within country music.

A nice little album about fine southern folks, having affairs and killing each other (as far as I can tell).

Classic. 3.8

Outlaw country, released 1975. Good listen from start to finish

If you ever lose faith in Country music (like I have many times over), just remember that albums like this exist, and you'll believe again. With someone as iconic as Willie, whose persona has been consistent in popular culture my entire lifetime, it's easy to forget exactly what he's iconic for. I don't frequently revisit his music, but damn, I will now. He has a gift for crafting heartbreaking stories that explore complicated themes while still sticking true to authentic Country music. You don't see too many concept records coming from Nashville these days, so I'm extra thankful for this. Here's to 90 more years on the road from the greatest to ever do it!

Willie’s storytelling ability transports you so effectively that you can practically taste the cheap beer served in the dimly-lit taverns and smell the smoke filling those quiet little out-of-the-way places he croons about.

Great outlaw country album by Willie Nelson. Nice story on the wiki page about the fact the lbel thought it was underproduced and too raw. That is just the fact that makes it so great compared to all shiny and overproduced country albums that get released.

4/5 I must say it's best 70s country music i were ever listen .

In a nutshell: a country concept album that WORKS! Stripped back composition. Consistent and engaging story. I’m not a country/western music lover, but I liked this. Overall: 8/10

If you thought you knew Willie Nelson, then this album will have you saying "Yep, I did know Willie Nelson" Awesome. Most of the songs are under 2 minutes, so if you don't like one, another will be along real soon. Just a great album, if you like Willie. Who wouldn't?

Willie Nelson has an aesthetic. Charming and sensitive, Nelson's singer/songwriter shines along with simple yet impactful instrumentation.

Väldigt mysigt. Vill ännu en gång va i skogen. Gammal country berättar verkligen historier med

schöne klassische country und western songs, viel mundharmonika

really liked it actually!

Best Songs: Not that kind of album Listen Again: Yes (must buy)

Willie Nelson has earned the right to be called a legend in his own right. Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain (written by Fred Rose) is worth the price of admission.

Listened to while walking 5km. Turned out to be somehow very direct 1:1 chat with Uncle Willie.

Simple, good, raw outlaw country. Fun short concept album that is unapologetically itself.

Willie Nelson at his best. Simple yet intricate arrangements, poignant lyrics, good storytelling.

I really like this. Great Outlaw Country stuff. Favorite songs: Red Headed Stranger, Denver, Time of the Preacher, Remember Me (when candle lights gleaming). Probably a full five, but I'm marinating on it still.

pretty good!

I thought all the songs sounded pretty similar but I liked that it was easy listening and told a story

Good

I swear these records be pulling tears out of me. It is a simple concept record and I have heard better but the fact that it is made up of covers recontextualizing them for the story makes it so much better. Reminds me of some of my favorite films that take popular songs and change the meanings I.E aftersun. I love the instrumentals I wish we had more moments with the stranger and it fell off a bit in the middle But great 4/5

A poignant, simple country record by one of the best to ever do it. Wow.

So far I really like Willie Nelson's stuff. It seems a lot more poignant than even some other older country that I'm not a huge fan of.

I don't generally like country music, but this is simple enough and tells a story. Better than I expected.

Great concept album.

Good summer vinyl album

If I'm going to listen to country music it would be something like this. Spare, relatively raw, not over produced and layered with instruments and voices that take away from the lyrics. I don't think of this album as done by a country artist, but by a singer-songwriter (Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Guy Clarke, etc). It's about the story-telling.

Pulls off the country concept album!

I hate twangy stuff but I really liked this album

My first thought were, "a concept album, ugh!" but Willie Nelson is obviously a legend and I did enjoy it. Not sure I'd listen too often again, but if I did, I'd want some bourbon whilst doing so! Very atmospheric.

Lovely melllow vibes. Probably not coming back too often, but I enjoyed it.

I think it was good. Even tho i am not a big fan of country music, I could appreciate it. Also the fact that it's only 33mins probably helped 😅

The album equivalent of whatever your grandfather was watching on TV whenever you visited.

This was a truly excellent way to spend an evening — Willie knows how to tell a story.

Like time traveling to a simpler, wilder, harsher past.

If we ignore the silly Bach Minuet, this is a very solid country album. Country music seems like the perfect vessel for concept albums, yet so few artists seem to make use of the album-long narrative possibility of the genre. 4 guns out of 5 🔫🔫🔫🔫

some things going for this that keep the 'concept album' thing from being annoying: 1) it's short 2) it piece a narrative between existing popular songs 3) the story doesn't really go that much of anywhere Makes me wonder how many murder ballads are contained in this list. what a category to have. guy sings a song about somebody murdering their wife like "hey you know how sometimes you just kill your whole family", and instead of being "uuhhhhh... no??" we're all "riveting story. best not to take it literally. four stars." music: appreciated. (⌐■_■)

Willie’s got more musical layers than I realized. Instrumental stuff on this one really beautiful too!

Been listening to this quite a lot lately actually. Willie could really sing when he was young. And Blue Eyes is a hell of a song.

Strong album - stripped down country at its best. Willie's voice and storytelling are top-notch.

Willie Nelson is always a great choice. This sounded like work of his tha was earlier than I was familiar with. Thanks for the introduction.

Just some solid country music.

Short and sweet

Give me a case of PBR, and take my phone from me, cause I’m gonna call her!!

this was a very enjoyable album. i liked the concept album structure of it and honestly, the fact that nearly all the songs were under 3 minutes long was a breath of fresh air compared to some recent albums I've gotten here. nice, simple, soulful music that feels like an old friend recounting stories. would listen again for sure. favorites: blue eyes crying in the rain, red headed stranger, down yonder, hands on the wheel, bandera

I am a fan of Willie Nelson anyway, but hadn't done a deep dive on this album. I am glad I got the chance. Stripped down storytelling at its best.

The foundation of good country!

Country-Musik hat ihren Reiz, und "Red Headed Stranger" von Willie Nelson ist ein Paradebeispiel dafür. Es ist ein minimalistisches Album, das mir gut gefällt.

Simple and beautiful

8/10 a little weak for a Willie Nelson album, but hey, it’s Willie Nelson, it’s gonna be great regardless

oke ich ha mich immer gfrögt weles album vom willie nelson dasmer mue ghöre bin froh isch das etz choo. huuuuere schöni songs. can i sleep in your arms isch hammer. Remember me goht ham love it. sini schwöster spielt afoch klavier. isch recht geil zum country ghöre wo nöd in nashville produziert worde isch, willie nelson au durs band en geile siech glaub. moll e vieri isches sicher.

אחלה של קאנטרי אני מבין למה קוראים לאלבום הזה sgt. Pepper של הקאנטרי

Classic Willie. Stripped down and just cool. Love the way he weaves in melodies from older folk songs.

I'd never listened to a Country album before, and I enjoyed this. Good songs performed well, and Wille Nelson's voice is great. Definitely one to revisit.

A very enjoyable listen

This album is so quiet that I was 6 tracks in before I remembered I had music playing. Then something about my day made it hard to concentrate so I can't really give this a fair rating. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and put it on my listen again another time list.

Can confidently say this is the first time I’ve listened to a full Willie Nelson album. I did not enjoy the reprise of time of the preacher. It is also overall a lot sadder than I thought. Overall really enjoyed it!

I've never heard this album before, and I was surprised by the starkness, similar to Springsteen's "Nebraska." I can also see a direct line from this album to Colter Wall, who I really love. I actually wish this album was a bit longer, but I will be listening to it again.

This was surprising for me. I really enjoyed the story telling aspect of the album. I don't know that I would have ever willingly listened to a Willie Nelson album, maybe I'll give a couple more a try. I think I would go 3.5, which rounds to 4.

Great country album

surprised to find very enjoyable

Nice listen

An intimate country album that feels like Willie is personally singing me songs his dad used to play him over a campfire. I loved the emptiness: every song has plenty of room to breathe.

Solid stuff

Good stuff

like this one a lot

Really good bluegrass with Nelson's soft timbre. The songs are sweet and don't waste anytime. Nice winter album to sit by a fire and drink coffee to.

I enjoyed this album a lot. You cant ever get enough of Willie Nelson. Bro is a notional treasure at this point. Album flowed great and I accidently listened to half of it again

comfortable folks

Really nice easy listening, like Willie Nelson's voice. This album totally caught me by surprise.

Liked the instrumental tracks

A classic country album. It's a very simple album, just Willie and Trigger for the most part. The concept idea for a country album is fun. The movie that accompanies the album is pretty good as well. It's not my personal favorite Nelson album, but there's no doubt that this started his ascent to super stardom. This album was my introduction to Willie, so it's a memorable one for me, but I enjoy the "Outlaw" sound a little more than this pure old school country album.

Hele fijne muziek. Zit een lekker tempo in het album door de korte nummers. Lekkere achtergrondmuziek voor de zondagmiddag. Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain en Remember Me vind in 't leukst. Would buy (maar dan wel een tweedehands plaat voor een paar euro)

Anytime Willie wants to tell me a story, I’ll be there.

Pretty good for a country album

Great c&w from start to finish. Less rowdy than some of his contemporaries. Sensitive & emotional songwriting.

This is the kind of country I like. Fun fact, (for me anyway) Dad proposed to Mom at a Willie Nelson concert

Solid listen but nothing spectacular

4/5. Almost a 5/5. What a phenomenal album. I really really enjoyed it. Willie barely plays any notes during the songs, but his voice magically carry’s the tone.

It's a good vibe.

I want to be cliche and say "This is what I wish modern country was like" but truthfully, that would be terrible. Though almost every track is one I wouldn't listen to on a daily basis, or add to any playlists, they are all uniquely impactful. A very enjoyable casual listening experience, frought with so much emotion.

Simple but so effective. I was singing along before the song finished and that is rare

Super chill. Will listen to more Willie.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect here, but I liked this a lot. It's incredibly stripped down country. Very simple song structures, mostly slow paced songs, vocals standing alone. Nelson's voice is really great though, and it just generally works super well even though there's not a ton to it. It's a short album at 34 minutes, and just is a nice, easy listen start to finish. It lacks any real attention-catching moments (Red Headed Stranger is close though), but is consistently strong. Favorite song: Red Headed Stranger Other: Time of the Preacher, Medley: Blue Rock Montana / Red Headed Stranger, Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain, Red Headed Stranger, Denver, Can I Sleep In Your Arms, Hands on the Wheel

This was a pretty great album! A nice easy listen with short songs that all work really well together. Very relaxing!

This is a largely solid collection of songs and I quite like Nelson's vocals.

Really solid country album from a genre I usually avoid. Willie!!!

Country

i'm Such a sucker for country. very concept album so it's hard to pick out specific amazing tracks but it's overall great and worth your time if country is your deal

Essential country listening from King Willie Nelson

Way better than I expected tbh A little rag-timey

OUTLAW COUNTRY BABY - I actually liked this quite a bit.

Re-listen

Everyone knows Willie Nelson & what he is now know as…”the red headed stranger”. Despite this I have never listened to a single Willie Nelson song in my life or if I had, I never knew it. This one was more of a chore for me to get started as I thought it would be a very annoying listen. I think this 1001 albums is cool because how wrong I was…I really enjoyed the stripped back acoustic sound, mellow singing & the story of the red headed stranger. I never would have listened to this album without this! Two favorite songs on first listen: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain & Can I Sleep in your Arms.

I didn't think I liked country music, but this album was good to listen to. I think it was pretty simple and a little repetitive but it also felt comforting. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this album!

Gorgeous, sparse instrumentation, and softly delivered vocals telling a neat story I wish I could say I understood? Ultimate proof country isn't just rambling nonsense.

Sûrement emblématique du genre: exactement ce à quoi je m’attendais, mais j’ai aussi beaucoup plus aimé ça que prévu. Il y a une caresse dans la voix, et les textes sont mélodieux.

Classic without sounding dated

Not a country fan but found this enjoyable.

What a vulnerable cowboy

I can't say that I'm a country fan, but I can say I'm a Willie Nelson fan. This old Country sound is a time capsule of great music.

pretty solid country album. a little sleepy but very memorable.

brings me straight to a southern breakfast diner

Only knew Willie as a cultural icon before experiencing two of his albums in this list. Love his voice and calm demeanor. Some smooth Willie

A great example of why classic country will almost always be better than today's nonsense. Love Willie, and this is me, someone who strongly dislikes most country music, especially contemporary country. Anyway, thought the album was pleasant and super easy to listen to given the length at only 33min. 7/10

Willie Nelson is the anomaly for country music for me. Generally, I find a lot of it to be a load of baloney, but for some reason Willie makes it much nicer to listen to. It likely goes without saying, but seeing that this album had been generated for me to listen to came as quite the delight. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Red Headed Stranger, Down Yonder This was another great example of Willie’s easy listening songwriting skills. There isn’t really much there in terms of instruments, with most songs being leg by an acoustic guitar, piano and percussion, but his soft voice brings it all together into a lovely sound. I liked the returning themes through the Time Of The Preacher songs, and loved when it suddenly brought a more cowboy-saloon vibe. Overall, if all country music was like this then I’d likely be a fan. This was great.

Brilliant stuff - surprised how much I enjoyed the arrangements here.

7/10 Fave track: Red Headed Stranger

I can imagine this album came to Hank Hill's mind when he discovered Peggy brought charcoal into the house. Any sensible Texan who preaches and proselytizes the gospel of propane would be devastated by such betrayal and could easily mirror the actions of the protagonist in the narrative of this album. All kidding aside, this is a really great record. Willie's audacity pays off with a concept album that demands attention. I was excited when this popped up but I had no idea how much I would enjoy it.

Simple in composition, rich in soul. Beautiful 7/10

Simple, dusty, rough-cut yet weirdly tender. A country concept album executed in fittingly humble fashion. The story isn’t especially coherent and it’s got a couple too many short ditties and repetitions of the main theme, but the whole product feels very solid and authentic. Love the sound and the few central songs. Best song: Can I Sleep In Your Arms

Willie Nelson is a national treasure in the United States for good reason. This record is a major contributor to his legacy. It's a favorite of mine.

I wasn’t familiar with all the songs but they all sounded great. Added to my rotation.

A great country album with top end lyricism and music to match, will listen to again and i'm sure with further listens will be appreciated more.

Solid listen from start to finish.

Strong from simplicity and so easy – even delightful – to listen to, mainly for Willie making it so.

Some good ol’ Willie! Ended up being really quite nice with the story interlacing through the tracks. That on top of Willies vocals made it a really enjoyable listen. 7/10

The deepest heartbreaks are the most beautiful, and this album—and its theme—is beautiful in its lonesomeness. Lonesome, not lonely. The red-headed stranger meets plenty of women along the way, but none of them can replace the wife of his youth, the one for whom he bought the bay, the one whom he caught in bed with another man and subsequently shot dead. This album is a well-crafted sojourn through the mind of a man wrestling with betrayal, wondering if it's possible to touch the fire once again. Side A is grief, Side B modus vivendi. This album is like an old Western film: the more it leaves unsaid, the more it expresses.

Well this was a pleasant and short album. I had it in the background, but have definitely heard Read Headed Stranger before. Somewhere between a high 3 and low 4 for me.

It's like being told a story, one track at a time. Very nice.

I love a bit of Willie, me

Willie Nelson is one of those artists that I keep meaning to see before he dies, just so I can say that I saw him. But then I keep not seeing him, which makes me feel bad. And he keeps on living and giving me more opportunities to see him, which makes me feel worse. Anyway, the reason that I'm not buying tickets is probably because I don't really like country all that much. I like this, though. The production is very good, featuring the guitar and bass very nicely at appropriate times. The songs are beautiful, and so is his voice, which cuts through everything else on the album to help you really feel it 4/5

Bit repetitive, but I think that's the point. I like the sparse sound. Feels more authentic than Nashville country to me. Doubt I'll ever listen to it again, but was fine for a few plays through on a summer afternoon.

Stripped down country western music. Honestly this is the melancholy and sadness that I look for in the genre. Plus you’ve got Willys unique silky and raspy voice. It’s a gem!

Really like it. Standouts were the instrumentals!

Willie Nelson’s voice is distinctive and engaging. Love the pace of the album and the pared back nature.

Oh! I compiled a "Willie Nelson Studio Albums Discography" back in 2018, but according to my Last.fm profile, I've only listened through this album in 2017. I only listened to 14 songs though, and only once. The version of the album I found on Spotify right now has track 7 as "Time Of the Preacher Theme - Short Version", which I haven't heard before. It's a nice album, especially for background music. I've been using it while I study on https://elementsofai.com/ - But none of the tracks really stand out to me. Down Yonder has a cool saloon vibe to it.

Merle clears Favorite Track: Down Yonder 3.5/5

For my first time really listening to Willie, I enjoyed his warmth, and his story telling. I want this one on vinyl.

I love Willie. His classics are timeless. But also a lot of these felt the same, so I'm not in a rush to go listen again. But his reputation and impact deserve my 4

4-

Not usually a country guy but found myself enjoying this one. Rare to hear this level of genuine care for the craft - it’s clear Nelson has put his entire heart into this LP, and it shines as a result.

Un disco que debe ser la respuesta a la pregunta: Qué es el country? Tiene lo viejo el indicio a lo nuevo y la ejemploficacion perfecta del genero. A pesar de todo, el disco cumple con lo que tenemos que esperar y es excelente en eso, no lo reescucharía pero en realidad es por gusto personal. Es un muy buen disco que calza en el pie que tiene que estar 7/10

Top stuff

As a redheaded stranger myself, maybe I'm biased. But this is a classic concept country album. The way he weaves his original story with classic country songs is so well done and thought out, and there's so many layers to it that even after a bunch of listens you still pull something new out of it. Sparse on the instruments on purpose, and Willie fully in charge of his art. Not nearly as good as some of his other classic albums like Shotgun Willie, but still a great all around album.

Never really listened to Willie Nelson. I really like how unpolished the songs are from a production standpoint. His voice shines because when you hear the smallest flaws, you realize his raw voice is just that good. Down Yonder was a great little ragtime intermission. I enjoyed this album!

Willie Nelson is a dude. I would go in and out of paying attention to the album but when I was in I could hear his guitar/banjo shredding skills Glad I saved this album for a Saturday morning

This is not something that I would seek out, but it was worth a listen. Willie uses good storytelling techniques to keep you listening, and it all sounds pleasant enough.

Now this is country music, not some Travis Tritt or Toby Keith bullshit. Beautiful. 4 stars.

This is my second Willie album, and he's shown me once again that Country can be genuinely great if done right. This guy just seems like such a class act. Once again, really lovely songs on here. His voice is liquid honey.