Red Headed Stranger

Fantastic album, though a bit to slow to be something I overwhelmingly enjoy.

Fuck yeah Willie Nelson

All the songs on this album sounded the same. It was a good sound, but I didn’t need to hear it for 33 minutes straight

these are all generally good songs and i love folk but got boring after awhile

Love the harmonica but so much filler

Time of the preaaaacherrrrrr. It was okay

Really Nice Country Album. I‘m a fan

Fine. Could throw on in the background, but its not something I'm seeking out. It's friggin Willie Nelson, what do you expect?

Classic Country/Western, emphasis on the Western. Listening makes you feel like you’re sitting in a saloon in the Old West with old man Willie strumming out front singing stories of outlaws and cavaliers. Easy listening, good vibes. However, each song kind of feels the same as the last, somewhat predictable and safe chord progressions.

Love love loooove, felt like listening to a great storyteller by a campfire. Want it on vinyl, feel like it’ll sound best that way

divorced dad album, bro great

Soothing and pretty. I really like the jaunty ragtime intermissions.

Favourites: 1. Red Headed Stranger Least Favourite: ... Hands on the Wheel

Decent, if unexciting. 33 minutes went by slowly. 2.5/5

Super chill country folk. Det er super godt at lytte til, men jeg synes tracks falder sammen. Det er ikke nødvendigvis skidt i sig selv, det gør det bare rigtig godt at lytte samlet til synes jeg.

Good Ole Willie Nelson. Not much to say but it was a great country album Songs saved: Time of the Preacher, I Couldn't Believe It Was True, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Red Headed Stranger, Hands on the Wheel 7/10

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.

All hail Willie. Absolutely no wrong moves, no wasted notes, perfection in lyrics. A story and saga that tells more story in 30 minutes than some singers can tell in entire careers. It’s everything I love about country music graced by Willie’s subtle touches. It’s a masterpiece, one of my favorites to have heard on this list.

6/10

Nice easy listening willie

Wel leuk, geinige overgangen tussen nummers. Maar wel teveel hetzelfde, ook naar mijn mening te vaak een nummer herhalend in het album

Bon après l'écoute des deux premières chansons j'ai capté que c'était pas mon style... (country 🤘)

Sounds lovely, but mildly meandering lyrically

Packed for Sri Lanka whilst listening to this

Average american country music to my ears

Not bad, but not really my thing either. Closer than I would have expected though.

Willie Nelson, I can imagine why people like this. But not for me.

chill mais au final la majorité des chansons m'ont pas emportée et j'ai trouvé ça assez répétitif mais après vsy c de la country je suis pas habituée

Country's first concept album tells a story about murder, loss, escape, and a quest for redemption. Or so I'm told. Really all I hear when I listen to it is one fantastic song after another, and a lackadaisical vocal delivery that tells some intense stories with a sort of whimsy and irreverence. An excellent listen!

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

I know some of his hits, not many. I'm looking forward to giving this record a spin. Okay, one song in, "Time of the Preacher", and now "Bottles & Bibles" by Tyler Childers sounds like a reimagining. I had " Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" already favorited. I really like how warm the production sounds on most of these songs. "Can I Sleep in Your Arms" is great too. While I don't see me adding this album to the rotation, I liked it.

4 stars

Great songwriter!

i liked some of the musical stuff, but the genre overall isn’t really for me

Sve što znam o Willie Nelsonu prije slušanja ovog albuma je da je bio u epizodi Monka. Inače je country žanr koji najslabije prolazi kod mene ali ovo ne mogu da mrzim nikako. Klasa za sebe je Willie.

Great vocals, 4

Through the ages, I remember.

Perfectly serviceable country. Prefer more of a Johnny Cash style though.

I always wanted to listen to some Willie but never knew where to start. This was the perfect entry point! Such a lovely lil country album filled the brim with emotive stories full of longing, loss and love. It's simple and perfect.

Not something I would normally listen to but I don't skip a Willie Nelson song either.

Surprising. Pleasant background album, made me feel relaxed.

shit shit shit. not fire. opposite of fire. i hate it, it does not get a song on the playlist

xd

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.

I guess everybody knows this one, at least the folks of my generation. It made Willie a household name.

Classic Willie, solid the whole way through.

Like I said on my review of Stardust on this site, listening to Willie Nelson is like just sitting by the fire with a bunch of old cowboys singing songs and telling stories. This is exactly what country music can and should be.

Odotin vähän enemmän. Aika tasapaksua

Great record! No wonder Willie Nelson became a household name this was a great change of pace. The stripped down production goes a long way and paired with Willie's vocals it's better than I expected. I love that it's a concept album and for 34 mins this was an intriguing and enjoyable listen. Top 5: Time of the Preacher, Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain, Red Headed Stranger, Down Yonder, and Bandera 3.75-4.25/5

This sort of bumbled along for the most part. Occasionally it breaks up the tempo but for the most part this is soporific, classic country. Can I Sleep In Your Arms following Down Yonder made for some appreciated pace changes but didn’t find much in here to hold the attention. Would be fine on a journey if you had other genres to listen to but I can’t see myself ever seeking it out.

I found this album pleasant, which is a good start for a genre not well worn by myself.  It had a gentle flow with a warm vibe about it (especially the vocal). I do enjoy the delicate rolling plucks of the guitar and the odd nimble bass dropping in.  It also had a variation of pace which was welcome (though predominently slow).  It was this that kept its focus on my mind while I got on with things.   My main complaint is it failed to really find a massive shift in the presentation of the music.  This lead it away from being majorly compelling.  Perhaps a bit dull / simplistic in the end but in contradition a dull I quite enjoyed.

Although I have never been an overt fan of Willie, I am into a few things that could be described as Willie-adjacent so was happy to give it a go. I can see the quality, I get that if you are a serious Willie fan you would enjoy the simplicity and rawness. Its a stripped back, exposed performance which probably connects with enthusiasts. Unfortunately, I found the overall performance pretty limp. There were a couple of spurts of interest, but they came and went throughout the album and didn't last very long. By the end of the session, my disinterest in Willie was confirmed. Totally acceptable but not an experience I will be returning to.

Love a good conecpt album. Willie is wonderful to listen to, and every track is nice and calming. I'll have to give this a relisten later

I really love how Willie Nelsons voice is clear and strong. I'm not the biggest country fan, but talent is talent!

Buen country

Not as good as the last Willie album but still pretty solid.

this album did have the same song on 3x but i don't even mind because it was a really nice song. we're lucky to have willie, really, an all-time talent for songwriting.

His outlaw era is better. This is more like his "unpaid parking ticket" era.

His voice is beautiful - warm and soothing - but these traditional country songs don't do a lot for me. And the claim to be country's first concept album is hardly impressive - I can't believe that any genre in 1975 could think it was innovative to arrange the songs to form a story. As for the story itself... A man comes home to find his wife with her lover so, regrettably, he has to kill them both. Then he goes off a-wandering, all sad and lonesome like, because the poor man's wife has been murdered. Then he murders somebody else because she looked at his horse funny. But thankfully our tragic hero finds true love again, so it all ends happily (apart from the trail of bodies he left behind him) It just made me feel the cultural difference between me and the kind of America this music represents

Love it

Beautiful country mood music.

I really enjoy Willie Nelson, when country is done right it’s just straight forward songwriting and singing.

Emotionally evocative

So far the best country album on this list! Well, maybe with expection of Gram Parsons. The songs are short but flow so nicely

I don’t know much about country music but it’s undeniable the distinct singing voice that this guy has. This style of country from this era sounds nice and warm, a very friendly and inviting listen. There’s really nothing offensive about this and it doesn’t sound like it’s pushing any boundaries but I suppose that would be the point. I would have to listen to a whole lot more country albums, especially from this era, to really make any sort of judgement about whether this album is necessary listening or not. For now it was just a pleasant listen. I’m not sure if I would ever have any reason to return to this album however I’m pretty sure I’m going to check out some other albums by him. p.s. As I get further into this project I’m realizing how much an album’s context in one’s life would influence the feeling that one would have of a particular album being essential and a must listen. Even if I don’t understand an album or a certain style of music I’m usually not that bothered by the music and wholly realize my failures to understand the music deeply is dependent on the way my life has been lived up to this point but I am quite sure that it’s possible to get to a good level of understanding somehow depending on situations of my life in the future.

Never heard about him before but i really enjoyed this album. so classic, i felt like i was somewhere at farwest drinking at a bar or feeling blue home alone. it deserves to be on the list.

My favorite country music concept LP!

soft twang, forerunner of storytelling

country viejo, juguetón, medio alegre medio triste, me ha gustado, mood tranquilo

As someone who doesn't absorb lyrics, especially on a first listen, an album like this isn't set up to get a high rating from me.

Nelson's voice is amazing but there's something about this type of country that doesn't click with me

Willie Nelson is one of the finest songwriters of all time and this album contains some of his very best work. He’s also in his prime vocally and his delivery is perfect. Just a great way to spend 33 minutes

The way I understand country music, it's always been at its best when it's telling stories. It's not like there's much terribly wrong with it when it's not (I've listened to too many songs from the 90's and early 2000's to say otherwise), but the good shit has always been when the singer is also a storyteller. What makes this album in particular special is that Willie Nelson isn't telling a selection of stories here — he's only telling one. And that's sort of wild to me, y'know? I know that concept albums exist in country music (I'm pretty sure they do in nearly every genre), but until now I don't think I've come across a narrative concept album. Until now, I've only ever been aware of **thematic** concepts. Like, I know Johnny Cash has done one or two albums all about train songs. So it's interesting to consider a country album that has to live or die off of how exactly well it tells one, single story. It's also something to consider that this album could have been a single song. In fact, I think it **was** a single song before it got fleshed out to album length. Basically, it's about a preacher who discovers his wife cheating on him with another man. He kills them both in a fit of rage and passion and feels so guilty about it he skips town. He stops over in Denver where he meets another woman, with whom he spends the rest of his life happily married. It's not exactly a complex story. And yet, with the way Willie tells it over these 15 songs, it never feels padded. Like, this isn't just stretching out the material for the sake of it; it's truly expanded upon. There's time given out to dive deeper into the mindset of the preacher and get a bit more into how this is all affecting him. And it works! It works real damn well! Heck, even the purely instrumental tracks don't feel like throwaways; their place in the narrative is clear. There's never a moment where I don't feel some sort of sense of progression. And when you can do that even on the slowest songs on the album, that's really damn impressive. That's alongside how sparsely arranged this album is. For real, it's not just the story that's simple; the album's arrangement is very stripped down. From what I read, there was originally going to be more going on, but Willie wasn't exactly satisfied with what was being recorded. So he pairs the whole thing down to just his guitar and vocal, with some additional instruments sprinkled around for flavor. You might think this would get old and boring real quick, but leave it to Willie Nelson to make an arrangement that's this sparse engaging. And real sort of pretty in spots, too. I think a couple of singer-songwriters could've taken a lesson or two from this album, honestly. In spite of how overall simple the album is, it all ends up feeling so cinematic. It hardly surprises me that this album eventually got adapted into a movie, with Willie Nelson himself in the lead role. I hear it's not ... **great**, exactly, but it's a damn good testament to this album all the same — and to Willie's skills as a performer and a storyteller. I mean, I hafta give major props to Willie Nelson for pulling this off with as little as he did. There's no flashy tricks: it's just him and the story, and that's all you need. And while I, myself, wouldn't call this the best country album ever, it's sure as hell up there. Along with that Marty Roberts record, I'd say it's a very good example of what country music is best at. Not any of this list shit, or bro country, or those conservative country songs that chart on Billboard for exactly one week — **this** is country music. And I do. (And what I do is quote Brad Paisley songs, I guess. But if I can close this album out with any quote, let it be this memorable chestnut from 'Game Of Thrones': "There is nothing in the world more powerful than a good story." And when it's told well, like Willie does — damn.)

While not having as much bite as someone like Cash had at his prime, Willie makes up for it in having soulful vocals and a heart to match. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I’m at a 10. That's one of the best country albums I’ve ever heard in my life. “Songs in the Key of Life” came out one year after this, and I’m struck by the difference in style; Stevie is bold, bombastic, & electric, with worldly music styles & some of the most complex production ever done to that point. Willie Nelson here, telling the somber story of this red headed stranger is… well, it’s basically his voice & a guitar, for the most part. Light percussion & piano, sure, and later in the album, some harmonica & other instrumentation that adds to everything, but overall, this is a very plainly told album. The difference is striking, just because they’re both equally as effective at speaking to the soul, at least to my ears. The overall story here is simple: the red-headed stranger (who happens to be a preacher) was devastated that his wife left him, so he killed both her & the person she’s cheating with, a crime done out of pure sorrow. He moves away, taking his wife’s horse with him, and killing the first woman who dares to even touch it. He finds himself in Denver, where he falls in love again at a saloon, and lives out his life with this new woman. That’s it. At face value, it’s a tale you could tell in a single song, and yet Willie Nelson manages to stretch it out to a full 34 minute album, one that never feels like it’s padding for time. Every track choice is perfect, with a vast majority of the album being covers, yet ones that fit with the narrative in a way that feels seamless & original. The album feels vivid & cinematic, partly due to how it manages to incorporate motifs really well. It’s no surprise that this actually ended up as a movie, even if it’s apparently just sorta mediocre. It’s an album that deserves to be listened to in one straight shot (with headphones in!), and one where I don’t think I can accurately capture it with words. At the very least, I certainly can’t capture how emotional of a pleading climax “Can I Sleep In Your Arms” felt like with words alone. That’s a track that needs the full buildup of every track before it to really hit, and it hit me like a truck. Granted, it might just be because I found myself imagining this whole thing playing out in my head, and Willie’s soundtrack to the pictures in my brain just fit perfectly. I really do think it’s one of the best country albums I’ve heard in my life, at least in terms of concept albums. There's probably an earlier one we’ve gotten that has more technically sound vocals or instrumentals or some other dazzling thing to it, but in terms of just telling a story… this is how you do it. This is a masterclass in storytelling. Anyone who claims to make “country” music nowadays needs to listen to this entire album, because this is the blueprint. I think it’s a 10.

willie the man

Country mid

Angenehm anzuhören, aber nicht so meins.

Emo country. Lovely. Sad.

Enjoyable and not too long Willie. Just how I like it.

These songs could be described as country bagatelles. With a couple of exceptions, all the songs are very short. Almost half are under two minutes. The longer ones have the obvious advantage of allowing build-up and progression within a track, which Can I Sleep in Your Arms (the longest song here) does well, and which Hands on the Wheel does less well. I found myself thinking about Willie's Stardust album (which I've heard already and given a 4). But I have very little memory of it, so this is sort of a fresh slate. I think both are pretty Dylanesque, and maybe a bit "behind their time" – there's nothing that really speaks to the year 1975 or anywhere past it. Indeed, Red Headed Stranger could've been from the year 1960 and I wouldn't've have batted an eye. The first four tracks are pretty similar to one another and could reasonably be mistaken. Apart from I Couldn't Believe It Was True being slightly faster in pace, they're all slow, mildly dragging pieces with pretty melodies and extremely simple instrumentation and chord progressions. Blue Eyed Crying In the Rain is a subtle but appreciated improvement, the high acoustic guitar solo being a big highlight. Red Headed Stranger is a solid continuation of the higher-energy pieces and is another highlight. Can Willie continue the streak? ...No. The "Short Version" of Time of the Preacher should just be left out of the discussion, though the track it leads into, Just as I Am, introduces a lovely piano part, which is continued a few tracks later with the straightforward ragtime instrumental Down Yonder. 3/5 Key tracks: I Couldn't Believe It Was True, Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain, Red Headed Stranger

Wow, Willie Nelson cannot truly make a bad album. This one is fantastic. It's conceptual, it has a cinematic vibe, also, it has different sections, so well constructed with different melodies. It's a very dynamic album. There are many beautiful instrumental parts, other funnier ones... There's place for everything. And everything merges so well! There's a main theme (or "leitmotif") that gives a great sonic cohesiveness as well as the feeling of being immersed in a tale, which is also supported by how some songs blend into the next one. All the songs contribute to the overall result, being magnificent from beginning to end. It's very enjoyable and haunting, and magnetic. I've loved it so much. I've listened to other albums by Willie Nelson but this one is the best one of them for sure.

I didn't particularly like it; I didn't particularly dislike it. Not my favourite genre of music by a country mile.

This was ok. Country is not my thing but this was decent to listen to.

Love me some willie. 4/5

Classic Willie. What more could you ask for

My favorite Willie album by far. He’s never been one to float my boat, but this is solid 70’s nasal and twang. Have you seen him act? Painful. He’s a Hill Country God now, selling out arenas in his 90’s! Why Texas hasn’t legalized pot just for him is a mystery. Keep huffing and puffing Willie!

This isn’t my usual style of music, but I really enjoyed this. I like the cohesive story of the album and the overall sound was very calm and relaxing. 4

Willie Nelson is a national treasure. His songwriting and singing voice are so expressive. Nothing reached out to grab me on this album — no songs i recognized or needed to hear again immediately. But the album is cohesive and wonderful and represents Willie well. A 3.

No. 25 I haven’t had much experience listening to country but honestly this album was a really good introduction.

Good album, not a giant Willie fan but this wasn’t bad.

First listen

You know, after only getting to hear On The Road Again, it’s nice to expand on Willie Nelson. From this album, I consider him on the better end of country music. I like how the music’s more calm than corny, like a lot of other classic country albums. It’s a nice concept album too, though I wish it didn’t warrant hearing Time of the Preacher 3 times. And also the album starts to drag a bit on side 2. I think I lost track of the concept by O’er the Waves. It’s certainly one of the better country albums I’ve gotten, though from me, that’s not saying much. Favorite track: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain Other hits: I Couldn’t Believe It Was True, Red Headed Stranger, Just As I Am, Can I Sleep In Your Arms, Bandera

Absolutely loved this album. No flashy production, no single worthy tunes from it, just a simple guitar, bass and some drums. Harmonica thrown in for good measure. And you thought only rock groups could do concept albums, but this is definitely one. A theme running throughout the entire album and ending with 2 beautiful songs, Hands on the Wheel and Bandera. Other songs to not miss: "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" "Can I Sleep in Your Arms?" 4/5

Sweet, mellow, but also pretty fun at times too. It can go from relaxing to feeling like your in an old town bar drinking with cowboys. I probably enjoyed this album more than I had any right to.

Vintage Willie.

This album is a mess. Stardust is where it’s at.

This was fine

the best country album i’ve heard

One of the best things about this project is that it gets me listening to artists I SHOULD listen to, but that I’m not inclined to seek out. This album is a perfect example of that. I’ve been aware of Willie Nelson for most of my life, but I’ve never bothered to give him a listen. This album is excellent. The storytelling, the sparseness, the simple beauty. Willie Nelson has a beautiful voice! Classic country is such a different genre than modern country —this album has more in common with Woody Guthrie than most stuff I hear coming out today.

Not a big Willie fan but it was rather chill

There is something about Willie that puts me at peace. No bangers on this album, yet it is a great ALBUM

I really enjoyed this! I'm a sucker for singer-songwriter music (although it has to be good)...

ont my favourite kind of music, but probably the best of the style ive heard at least (which is not much)

Willie Nelson's ability to tell a story with his voice and his guitar are unmatched.

beautiful

I hardly ever listen to country music, but this album was easy on my ears. The crisp, clean guitar tone grew on me. But somehow, no matter how many times I listened, it still didn’t hit me as much as I hoped it would. I almost feel a bit disappointed in myself for that.

Epitomizes everything I love about country music. Willie's melodies, while simple, are beautiful and memorable. His cadence is immediately recognizeable, charming and disarming. His lyrics and singing are full of longing, melancholy and sadness, but also delivered with an empathetic warmth. This album is a cohesive medly. The songs smoothly flow into each other, with Time of the Preacher acting as a repeated theme, and some instrumentals to segue into a new story song. The flow of the album is beautiful. One of the few albums that's popped up that I listened to several times on repeat, just letting the album loop.

I mostly liked this! Very chill. "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain" "Red Headed Stranger" and "Can I Sleep in Your Arms" were faves on here.

Smoothly stated hardship from the distant voice of experience

Quaint little album. Gives you the vibe of sitting by a campfire on the prairie. The tracks all feel pretty similar, but it's a peaceful vibe, sometimes somber, sometimes reflective. Most songs are very short, around two minutes. But the strongest track is probably the longest one - "Can I Sleep in Your Arms." I also liked "Blue eyes crying in the rain," the title track "Red Headed Stranger," and "Time of the Preacher"

Finally pulled an album I'm familiar with. This concept album is as heartbreaking as it is beautiful. Just song after song of quiet, heartfelt emotions that illustrate a sad tale. Sparse arrangements, but they feel so deep and rich. Standouts for me are the classic Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain and Remember Me. Remember Me feels like it walks right to the edge of Texas swing but doesn't quite step over. The older I get the more I appreciate Willie the lyricist.

Música aburrida. No le encuentro nada. Encima me da una vibes redneck total 2/10

I'm self-admittedly not a big country music guy, but I definitely enjoy the old school stuff way more than contemporary country music which has shape-shifted a half dozen times in the last 10 years to fit what's popular on the radio. Willie represents the old guard, and I like that. Red Headed Stranger is a real easy listen full of country twang. I also like how most of the album is just Willie, his guitar, and limited arrangement. Its relatively quiet nature makes it feel like a private performance for you. Top tracks: Red Headed Stranger, Time of the Preacher, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain

Don't cross him! Don't boss him! Love me some Willie and this album's a bonafide classic. Part of why I like the Red Headed Stranger is that it's not afraid to be really simple or sparse. A lot of the album is just Willie singing unaccompanied or with just a little bit of guitar or maybe a touch of percussion. Sometimes, I think simplicity brings out the best in country music. Another reason this album stands out is because of how much it went against the grain of what was popular in Nashville at the time. There's no string arrangements, no highly polished duets, no backup vocals from the Jordanaires. It sounds like something you'd hear some cowboy playing in a dusty old honky tonk outside of Amarillo. One last thing that I think makes Red Headed Stranger special is the fact that it's a concept album with a coherent story that's pretty easy to follow but it’s largely made up of covers and traditional American songs. Willie's performance ties it all together and makes it all make sense. It sounds like he'd sung each of these songs a thousand times before, and he probably had. 4.5/5 P.S. There's a great live album from like 1977 where Willie plays this 20-minute medley of songs from Red Headed Stranger. Highly recommended!

This one's really stripped down, not as much as a rambler as his 70s stuff usually is. It's a unique approach for Willie and it does sound like it's recorded privately for a small audience which has its appeal. But even though Willie was not in the habit of doing this, it wasn't particularly uncommon for country, folk or adult contemporary artists to try it out & the songs on this are a lot hokier than Townes Van Zandt, for example. The Apple Music write-up name drops McCabe and Mrs. Miller in a feeble attempt to appeal to me specifically but that movie notably uses Leonard Cohen & with all due respect to Willie, him and Leonard are quite different. What Red Head Stranger reminds me more of is the Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid soundtrack, which - despite having Knockin' On Heaven's Door - is not one of my preferred Dylan albums. Favorite Tracks: I Couldn't Believe It Was True, Red Headed Preacher, Can I Sleep In Your Arms, Bandera

One of the best voices ever, even if the songs didn't grab me

As boring as it can be from a very overrated singer.

Meh

All of the tracks on this one kinda of sound the same, which is fine because its Willie.

Wanted to like it because it was Willie, still couldn’t get into it.

Bit too steady

I really did enjoy this. It's unusual and interesting.

What a fantastic mellow outlaw country album. There's something so captivating about the delicacy of the songs, so pared down yet doing so much emotionally. Feels like the perfect album to put on around a campfire. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer

Willie! :)

i was really surprised by the variety of genre here. i added discraceland eps to my queue to learn more about willie nelson, its a two parter so that has me intrigued. i doubt ill listen again

Really Good country album. He has a great voice and really unique. This has made me listen to more of his Music.

Dope

His eighteenth album. Country. Stripped back music. Simple sounds with great lyrical stories being told. I am not a huge fan of Country but this is a good album.

I didn't realize that Willie Nelson has a voice like this...really peaceful - can recommend at the end of a hectic day.

Feels like a foundational country album, as well as American album. Beautifully spare with the instruments given room to shine. Blue eyes is my favorite - although I’d heard it before. Crazy that Willie is still alive and smoking weed by the bushel

I hate country but this smooth album with some familiar tunes was a great listen and would recommend for sure. Super surprised and its not even a song I knew but enjoyed all. great flow for this album

Another country classic. Favorite track: Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain

Country är inte en riktigt genre. Men det var mindre kränkande än mycket annan country

Surprisingly good. Almost skipped it and glad I didn’t.

Very much old fashioned country. Not unpleasant, but nothing really stands out to me either.

I'm not a country guy but this is better than average country so I can give it a 3. Still don't like the entire basis of the genre though.

Great classic Willie Nelson album. Easy listening.

i usually would dislike country but this album wasn't very over the top and had some good sounds I enjoyed, but I don't think I would revisit it much at all.

had no time to listen

The first country album that hasn't made me want to claw my ears off. It's a low bar, but it managed it. 2 stars.

merp

This was a hard listen, it's not my kind of music taste hence it took 2 days to finish. Hopefully the next one is better

I liked this more than I thought. But it doesn’t really explain how Willie Nelson is a household name.

Good.

I'm sorry Willie, but country is the red headed step child.

Muy del Norte, se siente muy kingsman

idk standard fare for country music

Tolerable but country has never been my thing. I like how stripped back it is. The simplicity of the production.

Enjoyed the album, I love a concept album! There were some real highlights (Blue Eyes Crying in The Rain) but also some less enjoyable bits (the instrumental songs)

The very worst genre of music. This shouldn't be here. An album that I haven't heard before, but certainly don't need to hear before I die to know I've missed nothing. It got a few cursory few minutes to affirm what I already knew. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ in part Revisit ❌️ Cuntry ★☆☆☆☆ (2/10)

GOATED

At its best it reminds me of Jonny Cash

Disappointing

There is absolutely nothing subversive or surprising about Red Headed Stranger. Willie Nelson is as straight up as they come providing some truly robust country music that is often wistful and occasionally (my favourite bits) even a little romantic. There is an admirable confidence and clarity to the performances which never leave you in any doubt that Nelson knows how to craft a song.

It is, a solid 3 from me, nice narrative style and good sounds but never gripped me

A true American classic. Thank you, Willie, for all of your contributions to the musical world. A nice break in my usual listening.

3.77

Il country...

Simple, sounds like Texas on a warm slow-moving day. No frills just good honest music.

not really my thing, but i appreciate the artistry

Enjoyed this one as the album told a story. Classic Willie Nelson. Favorite Song(s): Time of the Preacher, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Red Headed Stranger.

3.5

I don't have a lot to say about this. I'm not a huge country fan but this was a fine listen although really failed to do a lot beyond provide a background soundtrack. Generally it was a bit slow and ponderous b perhaps in another context it would work better.

У этой записи множество поклонников в комментариях на youtube. Саундтрек к фильму.

Vähän liian narisevaa ja kantrista. Toisaalta ihan hauskaa...silloin kun ei laulettu. Lempparini oli juuri tästä syystä Down Yonder.

I'm glad I gave it a listen. There's some beautiful subtle details, especially with the guitar work, and the lyrics are enunciated clearly. This is a concept album done right. A little too Americana for me, though. I think I need more time to adequately rate this, it feels more complex and mature as the listens multiply, and it's an easy listen to repeat as long as you're in a relaxed mood. 2.8/5

Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background Not a huge country person, but this hits the spot and goes down easy.

Blue Eyes Cryin in the Rain, Denver, Fantastic

Simple but effective.

It's not bad, but nothing jumped out enough to rate it higher. Possibly better on relistens, but who's got time for that?

Anodyne

Pretty good and nice and short

Slightly sleepy country. 3.

Meine erste ernsthafte Begegnung mit dem Genre. Für mich recht wenig Varianz.

Entspannter Western. Hab ich gern gehört 6,5/10

Hab irgendwann schon mal reingehört, aber dann abgebrochen. Dieses Mal nicht ;) Angenehm langweilig. Generell ein Genre, das es bei mir schwer hat. Texte sind teilweise schön düster. Diesen Bar-Piano-Song irgendwo in der Album-Mitte mochte ich sehr. 5/10

Easy to listen to. Solid Willie Nelson.

Nah

Where does one even begin with what is almost certainly the greatest country album ever made? Not here. Whatever I say, however eloquently I say it- it will not do this work of art justice. A critic once called it the SGT PEPPERS of Country music & it very much is. If you have ANY love for country music IF you have any love for America (John Ford's America or otherwise) IF you like I think that love and hate are a lot more similar than we would like to believe HEAR THIS ALBUM it goes toe to toe with the greatest of American literature- Steinback, Hemingway, Faulkner, the whole lot. This is the kind of art that hurts. It makes you feel as alive as any work of art ever will- warts and all. It might not be the prettiest of paper but my God it hurts so good to see things so starkly, so bullshit free.

It was fine, but admittedly a little too sad cowboy for me to really get into.

This is the sort of album that makes an artist a legend. Keep your copy of Stardust, I'd rather listen to this. It sounds like music played on the front porch as the stars come out.

good ol willie nelson Favorite track: Red headed stranger other picks: blue eyes crying in the rain, I couldn't believe it was true, bandera

Okay, totaliai ne mano žanro tokia prie laužo muzika.

1st one. Listened to while getting ready for bed. Maybe should have given it more attention because the story telling is its defining feature. I liked the story telling but it’s about a world I have no real relation to, so I don’t really feel much about it. I kind of just imagined freemount, which is a harsh analogy, but it’s just a genre I don’t really like. Favourite song: Can I sleep in your arms

Like it, especially the singing. Probably wouldn’t listen again. Found most of the songs too short almost like they’re over before they start.

Campfire stories with Willie Nelson (which seemed to be a bit of a concept album back in '75) is a mixed bag and not one for me. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain is probably the nicest track.

This sounds like authentic country to me. The new stuff just ain't as good. God, I sound like such a Boomer. 4/5

This is a staggering beauty of a record - reverent classics mixed with dreamy little vignettes, sounding like it was recorded in a motel room on an answering machine. One of my favorites.

Open, spare and reflective, these are songs for crying into your beer at the bar. Willie’s voice is clear and strong, and the storytelling is first-rate. The brevity of many of these songs — eight clock in at under 2 minutes, and three of them last less than a minute — bring an over-before-you-know-it quality that reminds me of 80s hardcore or maybe early Guided By Voices. I’d very much like to find a copy of this on vinyl.

Three songs clocking in at less than a minute? Poignant and plain storytelling? I remember a quote attributed to Willie, "don't sing a song if you've got nothing to say," I think about it and apply it to many places in my life, and I love how he wields that idea on this album.

Sublime.

não gosto de country

Bleh

Nice collection of country songs. Good production and a sort of concept album. Don’t really like his voice though. Can imagine it better with a Nebraska era Bruce or even Jonny Cash.

Not the worst thing I have listened to…average album.

Excellent discovery.

Unfortunately I had written a long review and the page refreshed and got lost, so suffice to say I'm not an aficionado on Country but do own some Willie and like some of his work. This one is okay, but I dislike the Time of the Preacher theme and it comes in 3 times, and by the last one I'm reaching for the stop button. Blue Eyes in the Rain and Can I Sleep in Your Arms are highlights, as they are less about a concept and more about feeling (but worryingly neither are written by Nelson). There are a series of very short songs in the middle of the album which don't appeal to me like the standard Over the Water and then honky-tonk of Down Yonder. So overall with the few highs (the title song is also good) but many underwhelming lows, I can only give it a 3, but have struggled with this and had to listen to it a few times as I'm really not sure (so may revisit).

This is rebellion at its quietest and most honest. Red Headed Stranger tells a story of love, loss, guilt, and redemption — a preacher driven to violence, then condemned to wander until he finds grace again. Willie never raises his voice; the arrangements are spare, the pacing unhurried, and the silence says as much as the notes. Even when the Stranger kills a woman for touching his horse — his last link to a lost life — it feels less like cruelty than the echo of grief. What amazes me is how much weight this record carries with so little ornamentation. It’s a Western fable, a spiritual reckoning, and an act of artistic defiance all at once. Few albums trust the listener’s patience and intelligence like this one does. True rebellion doesn’t always make noise.

sooo boring, every song is the same

Bardzo przyjemna płytka. Myślę, że country i album konceptualny to coś, co świetnie się łączy. Dziki zachód świetnie nadaje się do takich długich, meandrujących opowieści drogi. Subtelne, oszczędne aranżacje, bardzo fajny głos Nelsona - bez fajerwerków, ale z uczuciem. Bardzo romantyczny, nostalgiczny album. Jak nie jestem wybitnym fanem country, tak to kupiłem bez zastrzeżeń. Będę wracał.

Red Headed Stranger is as cozy as they come. Bona fide campfire music. I still haven’t figured out the full story of what’s going on through it though.

Willie is such a treasure. Somehow the music lives up to the hype of personality

My relationship with country music is complicated. I tend to prefer female country artists and I’m more into bluegrass. Despite that, I do not mind this album. It’s short and sweet. No filler. No fluff. Would I seek it out? Probably not. I’m also amazed this is Willie Nelson’s 18th album in 1975!

The album is half an hour and I didn't even make it to the halfway point. Sorry, not sorry.

No fuss or thrills on this album, just Willie Nelson and his guitar telling an album-long tale of a fugitive on the run from the law after murdering his wife and her lover...exactly the sort of music you relax to. Despite the dark subject matter of 'Red Headed Stranger', Nelson's impassioned vocals and relaxed delivery [probably aided by his love of 'the leaf'] make this album surprisingly pleasant to listen to, and this is coming from someone who hasn't always had the kindest words to say about country music. There's just something about Nelson's voice that's very pleasing to the ear. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it has this allure of comfort that makes you feel safe in its presence, as if Nelson's someone who's very self-assured and wise, even though he's singing about running away from crimes and troubles. Sure, it's a bit one-note at times, but I'd much rather listen to country music about outlaws and dark subject matter than liquor, pick-up trucks and boys from the bush being back in town. 'Red Headed Stranger' kinda reminds me of Bruce Springsteen's 'Nebraska' in its minimalism and darkness, and I mean that as a sincere compliment. Best songs: Hands on the Wheel, Time of the Preacher, Red Headed Stranger, Remember Me [When the Candle Lights Are Gleaming]

Fine

Country is a tough genre for me, but it seems like the older it is, the better it is. I like that this is short. It's evocative. I feel like I should be riding a horse through the dusty west, sleeping under the stars, eating from a pot of bean that's dangling over a campfire. A tad bit slow and tedious at times. This is not something I would have ever listened to if not for this project.

Best of basics. See why it was popular. Concept album.

Moj prvi instinkt je, da mi tole ne bo všeč. Komadi so kar kratki; na albumu je 15 komadov, konc si pa v 33 minutah. Načeloma je neka zgodba (naj bi bil concept album) in Willie s svojim malce žalostnim glasom pripoveduje o možakarju, ki je na begu, potem ko je ubil ženo & njenega ljubimca. En komad je bil tko trikrat ("Time of the Preacher"). "Down Yonder" je hiter klavirski jig, en prej je bil pa valček-like ("O'er the Waves"). Najdaljši komad na albumu (5 minut, 24 sekund!) je v bistvu cover komada "Can I Sleep in Your Arms". Lep komad. Not for me, ampak ne morš pa trdit, da je slaba muska.

Definitely the best country album I’ve gotten so far. Laid back and so pleasant

Alright country. Not my style but nothing to complain about, enjoyed his voice. Not quite sure I've ever actually listened to more than 2 of his songs

Not a big country fan. Very sombre music. Willie Nelson has a great voice.

I forget sometimes that I actually like country music. One of the better concept albums I’ve heard.

Really liked it overall! Very iconic voice and the guitar work is amazing. Will listen to this again!

I hadn't heard Willie Nelson before this and was surprised by how great a voice he had. I'm looking forward to hearing more, though this album's format wasn't my favorite.

Really liked it! I like this fairly loose idea of a concept album, most of the songs were pretty good. It loses the plot a bit at the end. Will probably listen to again!

I feel like I’ve listened to Willie Nelson my whole life, but this might be the first time I listened to a full record from top to bottom. I enjoyed it immensely. 3.5.

This album really surprised me! I have a generally favorable opinion on Willie Nelson (he wrote one of my favorite songs ever) but can't say that I've ever sat down and listened to an album of his. I was expecting some standard, mid-century country that would be good but not varied or particularly interesting. What I got was a fascinating concept album full of beautiful, stripped down instrumentation and a strong vocal style. It certainly stands out and represents an approach to country music that I personally love. There are a few misses, but the album mostly works. The cover is also good, exactly what the album needs, it's a 4/5.

Great album

Never trust a ginger. Found myself enjoying this album somewhat, despite repetition and somber vibes. But the best track is the hootenanny piano nonsense.

Litt gammel country. Passet fint å høre på dette albumet mens vi fyrte i bålpanna.

I’ve heard the name Willie Nelson. However, I hadn’t listened to anything before today. Unfortunately, I do not like country, but I will give this one a 3 despite that because Willie seems like a stand up guy!!

I can't argue - this is a timeless album

Ok here are the complaints right up front, three tracks are the same song, there are 5 interlude tracks, two tracks are “red headed stranger”, with a total of 15 songs under 33mins. Now this isn’t a complaint about how short the album is, I typically prefer shorter albums. The complaint is that of those 15 songs there’s actually only like 7 original songs, that’s kinda crazy. Like so much of this album is very clearly just ambient tasters. I do like the vibe but as a whole it makes the album feel alittle too cohesive and it just flies by. It’s another album where I listened to it several times over because I wouldn’t catch the ending, and it just flows seamlessly that you don’t even notice 8 songs just went by. Honestly this is a classic country, and I’ve always struggled with country, I found most of the tracks on this album to be pretty boring and lackluster, I feel that the last Willie album I got (Stardust) was wildly superior to this album in every way. But that being said I really loved “hands on the wheel”, “Denver”, and “I couldn’t believe it was true”. I think Willie Nelson is a timeless treasure with a lifetime of hits and awesome collabs. But this album specifically I think is one of his most overrated. Not bad, not great, just overrated and pretty good.

Fun album to listen to…classic country.

day 18: so nice and soft, gentle and calming. i love country like this, it brings sense of loneliness but a welcome one. willie has a perfectly nostalgic voice which feels like i’ve been listening to him for years, even though this is my first experience of his music. no big standouts but rather a collection of imaginative poetry, strings, cozy percussion and keys. i won’t listen to this all the time, but it feels special.

Dope

271/1089 - Sounds like country music

i blinked and it was half way over. it was okay but like wow this was a brief album

Very relatable and remembered so me songs I’d forgotten about. Lovely to hear the way back of WN.

Loved this album a lot more than I thought I would

First listen through. Lovely album. Listened to Down Yonder on my break while riding a bike to the gas station, and I felt like I was in a different world. All in all, quality ballads. Quality album.

General Notes - I’m aware of Blue Eyes as one of Willies best songs, that’s about it - I also think Willie Nelson is cool as fuck so that will factor into my review - something charming about his guitar sounding almost out of tune (?) - this is moody but amazing, it doesn’t have an edge that this lyrical content would typically have for me. It’s a waltz where the emotion fluctuates. Track by Track: - Time of the preacher: whoever mixed these vocals is a fucking genius. -I Couldn’t Believe It Was True: pretty sick this is an interlude I didn’t even realize - Time of the preacher theme: hell yeah I like the theme, excited for what’s to come - Medley Blue Rock/Red Head: another interlude TS - Blue Eyes Cryin: fucking awesome, no other notes - Red Headed Stranger: interesting storytelling here - Time Of The Preacher (short version):I’m conceptually there’s a reason for this coming back so many times. Love the piano here. - Just As I Am: love how this album captures a feeling, all transitions are seamless. - Denver: I’m such a sucker for these little vignette style tracks. -Oer The Waves: ooh this rivals Blue Eyes, such a vibe. - Down Yonder: okay they’re really break it up now - Can I Sleep In Your Arms: holy shit this is sad. Amazing touch - Remember Me: a jaunt with a sad side. - Hands On The Wheel: romantic, wedding dance ts. Lyrics fucking hit - Bandera: end it with an instrumental piece, fuck yes.

This album was so good. I don’t know how I haven’t heard it before, I am now a Willie Nelson fan. All the songs were so good and it made me want to pack a lip and sit on a rocking chair looking over a prairie. You can hear a lot of the inspiration that this album gave other artists like Colter Wall and Tyler Childers

The Austin man himself! Vulnerable, somber, yet hopeful throughout. Feels like an intimate conversation with a friend.

Did not think I’d be a fan but really enjoyed. A little slow for Chuck’s liking, hence the 4 stars but overall surprised me

Willie in the pocket. Great late night album.

I am not a fan of most country music, but I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. I've never listened to Willie before now.

Not usually into country but this was actually pretty good.

Did not listen

This ain't Waylon and I'm not nearly beefed enough to "get" this kind of wacky music

The instrumentals on this were really good and the other stuff was good

Ehh. I didn't want to rate it this low given Willie's notoriety, but it was pretty boring and there's been better country from this list.

Enjoyed more than I expected. Good clean country crooner. I would not have listened to this had it not been for the 1001 project, but glad I did.

El anterior disco de Nelson me pareció una maravilla. A ver este. No está tan bien, pero da gusto escucharlo.

One of the concept albums that never really leave my rotation. A glorious story of betrayal, murder and redemption.

Best Song: Red Headed Stranger This is really good, but it is also something I would see myself listening to often. It's super mellow and not my genre of music, even though it is more folk than country to me. 4/5.

Quite a nice listen. To me a bit samey but what do I know. Good though.

No thanks

Better than I expected

Ah, that's some good outlaw country. It's well written, rougher in sound, and Willie has a great voice. Favorite track probably is the title track, Red Headed Stranger, followed closely by Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.

This is the right kind of country music.

Classic. Have it on vinyl.

as a redhead, I approve of this message. Willie Nelson is someone I don't really know much about/much of his work but I am always pleased by what I hear. I remember watching and listening to him a bit in my guitar classes in university and enjoying his style and technique. you can just tell he feels his music so intensely, and there's such an ease about his playing.

Saai. 2.5/5

I don't get Willy's style and choices. ★

Willie is a legend. Do not even come at him.

5/5 Love the sound, the singing and the melodies.

It was the time of the preacher... What a fantastic opening line, and from an artist like Willie, you know that there's a story coming worth hearing. This album is perhaps the pinnacle of outlaw country music, full of longing, regret, rage, tenderness, and no short amount of fear. Song for song, it may not stand up against many of his best songs, but as a cohesive concept album with a righteous beginning and a satisfying conclusion, you'd be hard pressed to find one to paint a better picture of "how it is" outside of Ray Price's Night Life...oh yeah, Willie (co)wrote that song too!!

Interesting concept. Lackluster presentation.

Willie Nelson is an absolute legend, and "Red Headed Stranger" is a testament to his brilliance. I genuinely enjoyed this album, and it even prompted me to revisit his greatest hits.

for a country album i fw it heavy very mellow im on a porch sippin on something and enjoying the sounds of the neighborhood 7/10

Not bad at all! Country doesn't always translate very well outside the US, so usually it goes over my head. But this is an album that is put together with a lot o thought and intention. Even if a lot of these songs are covers of old tunes, they are arranged in such a way that the whole thing flows like a narrative concept album. Key tracks: Time of the Preacher

Concept country. I'm here for it.

Good ol’ Willie - smooth as single malt and always a pleasure to listen to

Loves the lyrics, voice was ok, but really missed a good background track.

Wtf is Outlaw Country? Sounds like a failed state

tja

This album was pretty monumental for me. One of my first vinyl records, so really one of the first albums I listened all the way through. I thought it was like magic then, and it still is that way today. Willie tells great stories. The story of The Read Headed Stranger is so relatable in so many ways. The vocals and lyrics are superb. When Willie sings, "And with no place to hide, I looked in your eyes, and I found myself in you." It's simply incredible and emotional. "Now my hands on the wheel, of something that's real, and I feel like I'm going home."

7/10

4 - it's really growing on me

This was better than expected. It's not something I'd normally listen to, but will happily give it another go :)

Loved it

The title track makes me feel nostalgic for a time I never knew.

Sweet and melodic, but nothing groundbreaking 3.4

Sembra di stare in Idaho. Bello bello, anche se avrei voluto qualche altro strumento, perché è veramente un album solo chitarra e voce

Davvero molto bello inaspettato, la sua voce mi ha rilassata un botto ed è un tipo di country più soft che devo dire ho trovato particolarmente nelle mie corde

I have a respect for it, I just don't care for it. It's musically really good though so major props its just not my style 8.07/10 4/5

Ain't no demo

Good album, nice texts, little monotone

This is a songwriter's album. Just a great collection of songs, well played and well sung, and captivating. And the concept album-ish nature of it makes me like it even more (Denver into O're the Waves is just ... chef's kiss). I've always enjoyed Willie, but I've never taken the initiative to dive into his catalog. Maybe I will now. I'm definitely keeping this one in my collection.

Now this is a good album! I'm not the world's biggest Willy fan, but he's got a deep discography with lots of good stuff in it. This is definitely among them. I really like the super-spare production. I think it gives the concept more heft in its storytelling. Anyway, 4 stars for me.

I don’t have bad word to say about Willie Nelson. This is a great album and a favorite of mine.

I think for this one, the whole is way better than the sum of the parts. The individual songs are pleasant enough, but "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" is the only one I think is great on its own. But listening to the album start to finish is a great experience. Probably even better with whiskey.

5/5 - Amongst Willie Nelson’s dozens of albums, I never would have found this on my own. This is 34 minutes of simple singing, guitar and some harmonica, and I was enthralled with the storytelling throughout. “Hands on the Wheel” was an immediate favorite.

Country.

Good background country album for that rare moments in my life I need a country album.

Enjoyable! Just a 4. Not much of an 'album', but a collection of lovely singles. Maybe I'll regret this decision later on, because I do really enjoy it. But the short song format is just too jarring to modern ears. Would love to listen to this again. - Another country album I've listened to! Excited. - Folksy soft guitar. Love it - Really short songs. Bounces around a lot - That was really fast! Tough to really engage with the songs when they're so short. Easy 4 either way.

Sorrowful but yet energetic songs, they found me on kind of a sad day and were really great.

For a concept album, the story was a little bit too simplistic. Also, Willie Nelson’s wobbly voice sends bad shivers down my spine.

Great album. Blue Eyes is an all time great country song.

I’m never gonna be a big country fan but it wasn’t bad

Good old country. Dated but still classic songs

Solid country album. Nice use of older musical elements within.

Willie's great. This was a nice listen - though I'll admit it didn't stand out enough for me to want to listen on repeat. Would enjoy it perfectly well if it came up in the wild!