Red Headed Stranger

Perushyvää kantria. Kuuntelin levyn pariinkin kertaan läpi, eikö jääny ärsyttävä mieli, mut toisaalta ei myöskään mitään vau-elämystä. Enimmäkseen harmiton.

Meni kyllä ihan super taustalla, mutta ihan hyvää (ja harmitonta) se oli, kai :D

Miten voi 33 minuuttinen levy tuntua venytetyltä? Alku oli musta oikein miellyttävää ja harmitonta läpsyttelyä. Ja esim. nimikkobiisissä oli jotain kiinnostavaa. Mut loppuun sit tosiaan jotenkin karkas mielenkiinto.

Harmitonta countryä. Kuuntelee ennen ku selkäänsä ottaa mut en tulis palaamaan.

It was good, but not amazing to me. Though I don't like a lot of country music, but the stuff I do like is the older country. This album was too slow for me though.

I really want to get into Willie, but every time it's offered I find it hard to swallow. This album fits that bill. Good, but narrow and samey in delivery. Seems like a very cool dude though.

Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find a country album that I didn't instantly dislike. But I'd never heard of outlaw country as a genre. That said, at times some of the songs sounded like incidental music in a western movie.

This started slow and grew on me as it went on. I'll enjoy returning to this one for another listen.

Very much not my style, feels very formulaic (as in, no melody or chord progression goes anywhere unexpected), but Willie sings and writes very well within those limitations. Not something I’d listen to again, but it is well-made and feels a lot more authentic and heartfelt than some other old country albums I’ve heard.

Not bad but not special

интересненько мне понравилось даже но текст ниче не поняла почти тк опять во время готовки слушала + инглиш поэтому хз насколько мне зашло

I think it's pretty good at what it is, but this storytelling country folk with Nelson's rather thin voice doesn't do a lot for me.

1. 4 2. 3.5 3. 3 4. 3 5. 4.5 6. 5 7. 2.5 8. 3 1. 3.5 2. 3.5 3. 4 4. 4.5 5. 4.5 6. 4.5 7. 4

Exactly what you’d expect from a Willie Nelson album. Conjuring images of starry nights in Texas by a campfire while he plays away. Very pleasant album, easy to listen too. Nothing groundbreaking here, though.

I like a lot of what I've heard of Willie Nelson's music. But this album was kinda just... Fine? It wasn't bad by any means, but just did not grab me in the slightest.

Need to listen

Willie Nelson so goated so so lucky that I worked at his concert and I was like 100 feet away from him still playing that guitar at 90 years old such a legend. Anyways this album was okay! I like the theme song a lot, and there are some nice tunes on here. Felt like a cowboy.

my first experience with a concept album.

The guitar work is stellar, but I can't help but feel I would appreciate this music more if I was from the southern United States, because this music elicits nothing personal for me. I feel like an old man.

willie tells a nice story

low 3 fair play to Willie for going so striped back with this, im just not in the mood to listen to the lyrics so this becomes a bit boring

Would listen to this again. Some missed for me, but it's nice chill music tbh

Decent, soft country album. 3/5

Too many versions of the same songs on one record - especially for a standard edition. Enjoyed it, it's not my preferred genre!

Note to self: If I see a red-haired stranger walking past, give him a wide berth and just leave him be. This was a nice album. Willie has a unique and pleasant voice and the music was pleasing to the ears, but it was a little mellow for my tastes and, as per usual, I got a bit distracted during the second half. I was also following the story of the song, but I feel like began to fizzle out a bit—though that may just be due to my getting distracted. I'm glad I listened to it, but it didn't completely "wow" me.

Classic Willie. It was pretty good. A high 3. Literally.

Time of the Preacher - 3.5/5 I Couldn't Believe It Was True - 3.5/5 Time of the Preacher Theme - 3.5/5 Medley: Blue Rock Montana/Red Headed Stranger - 3.5/5 Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain - 3.5/5 Red Headed Stranger - 3.5/5 Time of the Preacher Theme - 3.5/5 Just as I Am - 3.5/5 Denver - 3.5/5 O'er the Waves - 3.5/5 Down Yonder - 3.5/5 Can I Sleep in Your Arms - 4/5 Remember Me - 3.5/5 Hands on the Wheel - 4/5 Bandera - 3.5/5 I'm not the biggest fan of country but Willie Nelson surely does have the chops to make it worth something. The concept is interesting enough but it doesn't really capture my interest all that much. Overall: 3/5 Favorites: Can I Sleep In Your Arms, Hands on the Wheel

Really great album. Willie's voice is fantastic and the old country sounds rings through every track. Some tracks sound too similar, that's why it isn't a 4 star album to me. Favorites were Red Headed Stranger, Bandera, Down Yonder, and Can I Sleep In Your Arms.

Willie is undoubtly, and with good reason, the voice of generations. A concept album is interesting and I might look up the movie. All that said, and rather quietly I'll say, I don't care for the sound of Willie's voice. I enjoy an occassional song, especially any duets, but not whole solo albums.

Not quite my style of country, but nice

I'm not a country person, but I guess if I had to pick, I like the Willie isn't "truck and beer" or conservative country.

Quaffable country music. Nice short songs.

Not a country fan, but I couldn’t say anything about this. Pleasant enough to listen to in the drive to work

Ok willie

not bad mid

Red headed stranger Time of the preacher Bandera

6/10

Okay but shouldn't be in 1001 albums

Опять ебаная американщина из глубинки 2.5

Þetta er reyndar eins og allt sem ég hef heyrt með honum, en þetta er næs eins og oftast.

Enjoyed it bigly, especially good my walk home at night. 3.5

I get they love for this album, I suspect if I played it one sad afternoon it might hit harder

This is an excellent little album, I’m not keen on any other Willie Nelson stuff that I’ve heard, but I do like this one

mid 3.5.

Cover art credits for a cliche mundane sleeve as follows. Howard Fritzson art direction Monica White – artwork Don Hunstein, David Gahr - photography. This album has legendary status but not for the sleeve. Music is as expected but the lyrics are magical and very moving with Willie Nelson’s delivery creating something very special. Enjoyable if only listened to once.

That sure was a Willie Nelson album. Uh huh. A country singer with a guitar just doesn't do it for me I guess. And that's really all that's here. Was it bad or irritating to listen to? No. Did I take note of any song in the album? Also no. It's passable.

Pleasant and simple country folk music. The weak production is buoyed by Willie's vision for condensed music that tells a tale and entertains without all the riff-raff and bluster of contemporary country music.

country, US-American folk music

Not my style but must admit that the guy has a nice nuanced voice, very pleasant to listen to

Album #231 Willie Nelson: Red Headed Stranger It could have been the Willie Nelson, it could have been the wine… Willie Nelson makes the kind of music that a grizzled rustic man feels comfortable getting emotional to. Of course, only in the setting of sitting on the porch drinking whiskey and staring at the stars. It’s the kind of music that is quite familiar to you if you grew up in any sort of rural setting, not even Willie specifically, but this kind of country is just what you would hear in the background of any house or establishment that you visited. It is very comforting and relaxing music, albeit it doesn’t necessarily feel as profound to me as it probably does the average divorced dad; but I’m sure I’ll reach that stage at some point. Best Songs: Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain, Red Headed Stranger, Hands on the Wheel Worst Song: Down Yonder Score out of 10: 7.5

6. avgust 2026. 13.41h opet uprkos svemu (cinjenici da ne slusam country a ni outlaw country kako pise na wikipediji) it was a nice album, svidja mi se njegov glas best: o'er the waves, bandera

Third go around with country, what did I think? It wasn’t really my thing, to be honest. I feel like there were a couple things that turned me off from this album. Firstly, most of the songs are slow country ballads, which made it difficult for them to really stick because a lot of them sounded the same, making the songs kinda forgettable to me. Second, the length, 15 tracks and 33 minutes just seems weird to me. I feel that he could have expanded on some of the ideas that were presented on the album, instead of including songs that were literally under a minute long. Third, the amount of reprises in the first half of the album, Time Of The Preacher is reprised 3 times in the first 7 songs. With the room those other two reprieve take up, Nelson could have put two other songs, or even moved a song up and saved a reprise for later instead of right after the original, just like Red Headed Stranger, which is played twice, once short, once long. I also feel like the concept could’ve been explored more thoroughly, but that part was easier to understand. On a more positive note, the music wasn’t offensively bad and the whole thing was put together well. If I had to pick some standouts, it’d probably be Blue Eyes Crying in The Rain, Red Headed Stranger, Denver, and Hands On The Wheel, probably the most memorable four of the album. If you’re a country fan, I’d say check it out, but I probably won’t be spinning it again.

3.5 I liked this much more than I was expecting to!

Honestly, i don't vibe with country too much, buuut Willie is a relly good artist in the genre. Solid 3.

Willie Nelson is cool and these are good tunes, but it just didn’t rise to the level of anything more than “good” for me.

Soft songs and lovely feel along the songs, very good and easy to listen to.

RDR vibes I didn't pay much attention to the lyrics in some songs, but country is not my jam. Seems like an important album though.

This was the first time I ever listened to a whole album by this man. It was pretty much what I expected. It was country music.

Great Songs: Can I Sleep In Your Arms Good Songs: I Couldn't Believe It Was True, Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain, Red Headed Stranger, Just As I Am, Denver, Down Yonder, Remember Me (When The Candle Lights Are Gleaming), Hands On The Wheel, Bandera Mid Songs: Time of the Preacher, Time of the Preacher Theme, Medley: Blue Rock Montana / Red Headed Stranger, Time of the Preacher Theme (Short Version), O'er The Waves Bad Songs:

I'm such a sucker for this type of album structure. A bunch of short songs. Love Willy, not sure I revisit the album but certainly some nice diddlies on here.

Album cover has an "outlaw country" vibe to it. Simplistic and minimalist. I hear some back-to-basics elements like honky-tonk, the harmonica, and the storytelling cadence. It's very calm for pretty dark subject matter (that I only found out through Wikipedia-- more proof of being a melody guy). First few songs were in "E" so I was tempted to call it an "E" album until the next bunch turned into "D".

Was more pleasant than I was expecting.

I felt like I was in an old west saloon

#387 I don’t hate country music as others do and this was perfectly pleasant, although not really my thing in truth. Heard before? ❌ Would I revisit? ❌ Listen before you die? 🫳 Fave track(s): Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain Rating: 5/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

01) Time of the Preacher - 7,0 02) I Couldn't Believe It Was True - 7,5 03) Time of the Preacher Theme - 7,0 04) Blue Rock Montana/Red Headed Stranger - 6,0 05) Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain - 8,5 06) Red Headed Stranger - 6,5 07) Time of the Preacher Theme - / 08) Just As I Am - 7,0 09) Denver - 6,5 10) O'er the Waves - 6,5 11) Down Yonder - 7,0 12) Can I Sleep in Your Arms - 6,0 13) Remember Me - 6,5 14) Hands on the Wheel - 6,0 15) Bandera - 6,5 TOTAL: 6,75 (68/100)

Fine

Concept Album That Never Really Grabbed Me I went into this album knowing basically only one thing about Willie Nelson: he likes to smoke weed. Beyond that, I knew he was a country celeberity, and country music is not my taste at all. From what I got. Red Headed Stranger is a story album about a preacher (?) who murders his wife and her lover, then goes on the run. The storytelling is economical (I'm a big fan of this term, learned it today) and you can appreciate the art even if the music doesn't click. But for me, every song just kind of melded right into the next. "Time of the Preacher" is a good opener, sets the stage. 4/10. "I Couldn't Believe It Was True" actually can stir some emotions. Relatable in some ways. That sting of being broken up with. 5-6/10. "Time of the Preacher Theme" sounds identical to the first track. Basically a repeat. 4/10. "Medley: Blue Rock Montana / Red Headed Stranger" is great. Very quiet song for being about murder lol. 6-7/10. "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" is pretty good but honestly only got a bit of emotion out of me. Strong-er entry. 6-7/10. "Red Headed Stranger" is the most emotional and lyrically strong track. Apparently Willie didn't write it tho, but it's really good. The piano adds something the other songs lack. 7-8/10. "Just As I Am" an instrumental, sounds like a lullaby. 3/10. "Denver" is too short for anything really. 4/10. "Over the Waves" just instrumental filler. 2/10 "Down Yonder" sounds like straight saloon music. 4/10. "Can I Sleep in Your Arms" is a 5/10. I like Willie's voice and the strumming is nice background music, but I just need a little more. "Remember Me" is a 5/10. Nice melody, solid, but needs a little more to stand out. "Hand on the Wheel" is pleasant and has a good message. One of the more musically interesting tracks (swinging rhythm, warm). 5-6/10. "Bandera" is actually kind of gorgeous and struck a real emotional note with me. Going in my secondary playlist. 8.5/10. This must have been before Willie found weed. The album is way too stripped-down for me. I appreciated the concept and story more than the music itself. I'm sure there are other Willie albums more to my taste, but I won't be returning to this one. Rating: 5.5/10

Sillien ääni on mukavaa ja soinnikasta kuunneltavaa. Levy oli sopivan letkeää tähän hetkeen.

I wasn’t really vibing with this too much but the last track was quietly beautiful.

Nice to listen to but nothing particularly stuck out to me. Rating: 3

It's like sitting around a campfire with your fun uncle and his guitar

Review - a good country album but weird how it's flagged as this big concept album etc but a lot of the songs are repeated throughout - easier to do a concept of you hit the same story beats repeatedly. Still good songs and performances, need to listen to more Willie Nelson. Score - 6.5/10 Need to listen? YES

grappig, rustige country. wel heel erg veel van hetzelfde

This is more Johnny Cash than Steve Earle, but this is still pretty average stuff. As much as I can appreciate the themes and cohesiveness of the album, I really just don’t like it that much. He’s not very interesting, the music is not very interesting, and so there’s just not much here for me. Not to say it’s bad, but it just does absolutely nothing for me. Favorites: Time of the Preacher, Red Headed Stranger, Remember Me (When the Candle Lights are Gleaming)

Simply good ol’ boy country twang. Just a guy and his guitar. Nothing really stands out, also not really my jam but probably good for what it is. DNF (3)

Pretty much what I could have expected, I guess. Quite nice, mellow country music. Probably warranted a closer listen than I gave it; but I liked what I was tuned in for, despite this style generally not being my kind of thing.

He's got such great guitar tone. Not my thing, but I definitely appreciated the artistry.

It was a collection of songs. They played. And then it was over before I knew it. It was weird it’s like I blinked and it was over. Honestly I’d have to listen to it again but I didn’t hate any of it.

The IDEA of Willie Nelson sometimes seemed better than actually listening to him. But this was pretty decent…

*тяжелый вздох* Снова здравствуй, Вилли Нельсон. Да, ещё один альбом, мы снова встретились. Да, это спокойненькое вдумчивое кантри от седобородого деда, концептуальная запись, фильм по мотивам, минималистичные аранжировки *зевок* ... Ну не люблю я кантри... Пожалуйста, спасите...

Sleepy, pleasant, Willie.

i dont like country but i can appreciate this album. it felt like a tale my grandfather is telling me

Nelsonin musiikki on niin rauhallista että en edes huomaa kun se alkaa tai kun se loppuu. Kuuntelin sitä työn ohessa taustalla eikä kertaakaan rassannut.

country. ballads. covers. willy.

Not the most interesting country out there but there's some rather emotional tracks on here

I will never be a country person but this wasn’t bad. Simple but effective. Some nice instrumentals scattered throughout.

Lovely and earnest! He really manages to pull you into his songs and stories, and even if there's nothing too crazy going on instrumentally, I like that he often just lets the guitar speak for itself. Not an album I'd consciously reach for, but it's pretty good! Standouts: Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain • Just as I Am • Remember Me (When the Candle Lights Are Gleaming) • Bandera

Good

:) Soothing

A little slow but I enjoy this type of country!

Nothing stands out, and it drags a bit towards the end.

Good guitar work. Story was hard to follow.

I do not like country music. Willie Nelson is fine. Thanks for listening.

First country album in this journal. Good, but another case where I think the lyrics are important to its impact. It really didn't help that the first of such albums put me off it with talking about masters and pretty girls, so while I'm not going to do lyric analysis factor context and history into my ratings, I will try to listen more attentively again in the future

git

I like Willie, one of the few country singers I can stomach. This is an enjoyable album, it's mellow, his voice is relaxing, but in all honesty it's not ground breaking or a must-hear. I kinda felt like it was a singer songwriter onstage rattling off his latest in front of a small crowd in a country bar. The songs kinda blended together and the sparse instrumentation kept it somewhat monotone. "Blues Eyes Crying In The Rain" is the highlight and people agree (92M listens on Spotify). "Red Headed Stranger" is a good story song. I think the song that surprised me the most was "Can I Sleep In Your Arms" - it's a lovely song, great piano work and I don't think I've ever heard it before. It was all good, nothing mind blowing but I certainly wouldn't mind hearing it again. It's a new album to me so I'm glad I got a chance to listen to it, I wouldn't have given it a try without this prompt. 3 stars.

yeehaaa

326/1089 i will never be a fan of (traditional) country and this album isn’t changing that. but Willie’s voice is quite nice and definitely makes it bearable the type of music that i can appreciate more if it’s soundtracking a good scene in a show etc kinda ironic that i mention willie’s voice being a key highlight only for my two fave tracks to be instrumental (down yonder and bandera) 60/100

1/2

Went into it thinking I was gonna hate this. Honestly so mellow, and lovely to listen to. Little bit boring as it went on though

Nice to listen with the rain

a nice album. I enjoyed listening to it. Some quiet country/folk type songs. Something that I might listen to again, although probably not purchase

I liked it but a little too repetitive for me

Has a very easy comforting sound not dissimilar to many other country music I've heard before. He's got a good voice and I like the theme of the Stranger. Wouldn't be on my regular rotation but I wouldn't shut it off if it came on.

6/10 What’s most interesting about this album is that, as a collection of songs, it’s pretty mundane, but as an album it feels much more complete. The ideas are fleeting, and there are only three songs that run longer than three minutes, meaning that many of the motifs and themes come and go in no time at all. But it also calls back to various earlier moments throughout the record and as a flowing, evolving piece, it is far more rewarding than just listening to the odd track would be. With all that being said, it still ended up feeling like a pleasant but perhaps a little uninspiring record in the end. Many of the songs are covers of other artists’ work and, while Willie ties them together well and strings everything into that flowing, evolving narrative, the fact is that stylistically, it feels quite generic and perhaps that slight lack of a unified songwriting voice doesn’t help it to become the completely coherent whole that the concept promises it to be. The production and performances from the band are excellent, managing to thread the needle between laid back and rhythmically tight perfectly, and Willie’s voice is in fine fettle, offering the everyman storyteller sound, presented in a controlled and coherent way. As someone with only a passing knowledge of country music, however, there didn’t seem to be a vast amount in this album that made it particularly special compared to a lot of similar music that came before or after this record and, interesting concept aside, this was one that was enjoyable enough without giving me any real reason to return. Time Of The Preacher - There’s a nice, gentle swagger to this. There’s nothing complex about it, but it does what it sets out to do pretty well. The performances are deft and well put together, despite the fact that it’s over not long after it’s really got going. I Couldn't Believe It Was True - He’s got a voice that sits really well between controlled and fluid. It’s got a lovely, organic tone too. The guitar playing here is lovely, and the interplay between the two lines is really nice. Again, it’s quite a fleeting little song and we’re on to the next one. Time Of The Preacher Theme - Which is a call back to the opener. It’s a touch plodding, but I think that works for it in this case, as it has a cool, lumbering attitude to it that’s quite pleasant. Medley: Blue Rock Montana / Red Headed Stranger - Pleasant stuff with some lovely loosely timed guitar playing that is quite evocative. Again, not too much to say about a nice little song that does its job in a minute and a half. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain - This is so gentle and relaxed, like being sung a bed time story by an old codger in the corner of a dusty bar. The guitar playing is lovely, the lilt of his vocal is pretty too, and then, as with much of the album so far, it’s done. Just like that. Red Headed Stranger - Another entirely pleasant but also unspectacular tune. This one’s a bit longer form so it has a bit more time to settle in and develop itself. The little honky-tonk piano is nice and the whole thing has a nice, swung groove to it. Everything about it is well put together and fairly enjoyable, but it doesn’t really do anything to excite me. Time Of The Preacher Theme - Another quick callback to the opener. Just As I Am - That runs straight into this. Melodically, it’s nice enough and the counterpoint that passes between guitar and piano adds a nice depth and feel to that melody. It’s a touch meandering, but I think that’s kind of the point. Denver - Again, this almost feels like a snippet of a song, rather than a whole one. Nice, but over before it’s begun and swiftly moves on to… O'er The Waves - A melody that probably everyone knows by Juventino Rossas that’s been used on countless fairgrounds and in various media over the years. It’s got a nice swagger and the piano work is really nice. Down Yonder - Ah, a bit of pace. The band are super tight and this has a great, bouncing feel to it. It’s quite music hall in a way, and it’s nice enough, but it’s also quite repetitive and doesn’t really offer anything special, despite being less than two minutes long. Can I Sleep In Your Arms - Now the pace has dropped to a crawl. It’s pretty enough, but it feels very generic really. The piano solo section is very nice, and there’s a nice ebb and flow to the instrumentation and dynamic. But everything about it feels very familiar, from chord structure to melody, I can’t necessarily pick out what makes this stand out musically from hundreds of other songs of this style. But it was still quite an enjoyable listening experience. Remember Me - The swing and cadence of the rhythm here is really nice, and the guitar work is lovely. There’s a laid back fell, but enough pace to give things get up and go. The piano picks up nicely from the guitar too. It’s not going to be my favourite song of all time, but I enjoyed this for what it was and the performances all round were really enjoyable. Hands On The Wheel - The pace and restraint give this a subtle, but enjoyable feel. As with much of the album, it does feel quite generic and doesn’t offer a vast amount of musical development, despite the slow build of the instrumentation. Willie’s vocal is really nice, to be fair and the performances are great. But it’s not vastly interesting. Bandera - A nice, chilled and quite pretty piece with some lovely piano playing to round things off. Not much to say apart from that it’s really well balanced and has a great bittersweet feel to it.

Fine meh

Id love listening to this in a cowboy bar back in the Gold Rush ngl

just so lovely. i have a boomer dad that smokes weed so i'm not totally alien to willy, but i don't think i've ever sat and listened to this one. first new to me thing that i liked on the list so far. i listened to it three times today. i love the instrumental interludes, the bach rendition. i love willy's voice, i love his guitar. i love how every song seems like it just flows into the next. i love when it borrows tennessee waltz and red river valley and turns into something else. listening to this feels like you're at a friday night party at an elk's lodge in heaven. fave track hands on the wheel

Willie does not stretch any limits in any sense here. Songs are all sort of within the same headspace of calming mood pieces, and everything is pleasant without striking any memorable chords.

A concept country album sounds ominous but I was pleasantly surprised. Thr stripped-back feel chimes with my perception of country music.

Country classics

My first foray into country music, and I can see the appeal. He has a great voice, it's a chill, calming, poetic sound and I think it would be amazing to listen to live, in a country bar in Dallas. Top Tracks: Time of a Preacher, I couldn't believe it was true, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Can I sleep in your arms. Red headed ranger Somewhere between a 3 and 4 so far. 18th studio album is crazy btw. Very strong 3.8 Don't cross me.

Really peaceful album, good story telling but the charm wore off on the 2nd listen for me

Muy country, no estuvo mal

This was new to me but I enjoyed it - very much in my musical comfort zone but no bad thing

Would be a lovely album to fall asleep to - lots to hold on to lyrically but unfortunately very little to hold on to musically. Special shoutout to the little Bach minuet in there - wish we had more of that energy.

I'm not generally a fan of country, but Willie is definitely a standout and one of the few artists of the genre that I enjoy... in limited quantities.

Old school country album with Willie’s classic voice. Short and sweet. I think it clocks in a little over 30 minutes. 3.1/5.0

This album was pleasant but for me felt flat and didn't give me anything to be excited about. I can hear why people enjoy this album - storytelling and simple vocal without oversinging. Unfortunately I didn't connect with this.

This is more the type of country that I'm likely to enjoy. Even still, it's kinda a sleepy record. Solid, but not something I'd really go back to.

I'm not really into the majority of music in the country genre, but I do have an appreciation for the storytelling the genre contains. This album in particular is an excellent example of that. Every song seamlessly weaves together a man's story of heartbreak, anger, revenge, sadness, and acceptance. These types of concept albums are a much more immersive and cohesive listen.

3/5. Some solid country music which keeps its arrangements and production nice and tight, there aren’t a ton of extra flourishes but there also doesn’t need to be on an album like this. Nelson’s vocals are solid throughout, I especially love when he brings in some harmonies on “Blue eyes crying in the rain.” Though I’ll admit I don’t see myself coming back for a full album listen of this one anytime soon, but there are a number of great individual tracks.

this was actually kind of good maybe i was wrong about johnny cash

It’s okay, even though I don’t like country - it’s very soothing in a way!

"Red Headed Stranger" is a soft, mellow country album. Although it fits into the outlaw country genre, it is not as out there as some of the other albums of the genre, but rather is mature and simple, telling a tale of a preacher looking for redemption. It's a fine album, although it lacks an element that elevates it to the higher echelons.

3,5

The storutelling is very good but counrty is just not for me

I really didn’t expect to like this as much as I did… chilled out great story telling. 3.5 stars and not sure which way to round.

a little too folky, have to be in the right mood for it

Nice solid Willie either you like it or you love it

cool 3/5

I really don’t care much for Country and/or Western, but it seems disrespectful to give a stoner icon like Willie less than a 3

Americana to the max! Enjoyable

Pleasant enough, but won't be returning.

Not really a country guy but I've always found myself enjoying Willie Nelson. The album played the Time of the Preacher 3 times, which I found odd, but also special shout-out to Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.

delightful and peaceful

Десь на трійку. Мелодійно, але без вау-ефекту

solid

Not really my thing but its pleasant

Pretty good listen. Makes for good coffee shop music. Interesting to learn that Willie Nelson was part of the "outlaw" group of country singers who wanted to break away from the traditional Nashville sound, which was very glossy/produced.

Anything by Willie is worth a listen!

Another short album, great. it does lose me in the concept, not sure what is going on. It is good county music though. 3 Heard before? No Owned: No: 70/282 (25%) Will I get: No

No es de mi gusto. Pero la historia detras la hace interesante.

It was okay - Meh, I guess

Definitely better than the average country music in here

Just a pleasant album. ‘Over The Waves’ just reminded me musically of ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’

I was not very impressed that the only other Willie Nelson album on this list was just cover versions, given the length of this guy's career and the many albums he's released. At least this had some original material. The really pared down instrumentation really seemed to suit the story telling, and while I am never going to be the biggest country fan, I did appreciate how "wild west" western this was. I am crying out for a 2.5 here, but am going to be generous and round up. 3/5

A very good album. It's not my favorite of his but I have listened to it at least once a year since I first heard it five years ago .

willie nelson has a great voice but tragically did sing abt killing a wife so -1 point

Genuinely a nice listen, it’s the kind of melodic folk country I actually like quite a bit- before it goes all beer for my horses

Gozado a las 3 de la mañana mientras juegas Stardew Valley

erg fan van outlaw country maar dit was niet m'n favoriete willie nelson

3/5 - Virkelig nice stripped back album til en stille aften! Jeg må jo bare erkende at jeg tror de sidste to dage har været en øjnåbner for mig og måske min opvågning til country. Kan igen rigtig godt lide historiefortællingen og guiataren. Og så må jeg jo bare anerkende at jeg er en sucker for concept-albums. Selvom lyrikken er nice, står instrumentalerne også skarpt og trækker ikke længere ud end de behøver. Observationer: Jeg kunne rigtig godt lide hvordan starten af side to begynder med at lægge op til dans i sangen Denver, hvorefter to instrumentaler følger <3 Standouts: Time Of The Preacher Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain Hands On The Wheel

It was good. My favorites were Red Headed Stranger and Remember Me. Overall, I would give it a 3.8/5! 🫤👍

Good old Willie — a bit too twangy for me, but love his voice and general vibe. Stardust (still to come for us) is a much better album.

He has a lovely voice. And the songs are good. Nice and short too which is a blessing as I'm not a huge fan of country. This is so much better than the dire vanity project 'Stardust' album I've already listened to. He has a good reputation so I'm glad I don't think he's complete crap any more.

it is relic of it's time for sure

Ya sabemos que me gusta la música country, este disco me gustó pero siento que es para un mood demasiado específico, tipo estar muy tranquilo. Además no me gustó que hay canciones que son solo instrumental, aparte de que las canciones se vuelven repetitivas.

I liked this one. My favorite was Can I Sleep In Your Arms. I added it to my playlist oldies and goldies. It could be a sweet song to be married with.

A nice sleepy album that I can see being nice if you are in the mood.

Wasn’t expecting to enjoy this one as much as I did! Mr Willie has a real comforting voice, dead nice. Will likely not listen to this one again so sadly cannot give Mr Willie more than a 3

Pretty good.

Expectation: -> Ah Willie. An American icon, treasure. I am truly thankful for his influence on modern country artists, though do not believe I will prefer much of his own music. After listening: -> Much respect to the man and his staying power. There is comfort and familiarity with his singing voice/style. Would love to hear this overhead while dining at my favorite country/Western restaurant. It is quite slow and plodding and minimalist, though peaceful. Took a few spins through AND the right mood and mindset to appreciate, but I got there. Track ranking: Sleep Hands Blue Eyes Remember Bandera Preacher / Theme Medley / Red Couldn't Denver Yonder Just O'er

3 de 5 Con un sonido muy austero y sobrio, contando una historia con tintes de drama trágico y redención, William Nelson crea lo que se podría decir como “disco concepto”, el cual, nos sumerge y nos hace partícipes en la vida de “El Extraño”, creando complicidad y armonía. Si no se tiene algún acercamiento con el género de el country, podría llegar a ser algo aburrido y muy lineal. A destacar: Track 2 - I Couldn’t Believe It Was True Track 8 - Just as I Am Track 10 - O’er the waves Track 11 - Down Yonder Track 13 - Remember Me (When the candle lights are gleaming) Track 14 - Hands on the Wheel Track 15 - Bandera

Preferred it to Stardust, probably still around 3.5 though. Don't think I can give it 4.

A beautiful, sparse love letter to the American west. Side B struggles a bit, but it's a great listen regardless.

okay willie…

C&W. Standard classic sound. Why the repeated Time of the Preacher theme? Best track - I Couldn't Believe..., Down Yonder, Remember Me 3 stars - nothing to write home about but fine for C&W

It was good not my thing though

Extremely enjoyable, tight outlaw country album with evocative lyrics making it an easy relisten

Charming enough, but it's pretty tough for country to get more than a 3 from me.

I’m really not a country guy, but outlaw country definitely intrigues me. It seems far more authentic and meaningful than the mindless pickup-trucks-and-blue-jeans garbage an unsettling number of people froth over today. This album definitely confirmed those suspicions for me. Willie had a pretty beautiful voice, and the album kept me fairly engaged from top to bottom, even though the arrangements were, like, comically sparse and the sonic palette was extremely limited. Still, the pictures he paints and the mood he sets here were pretty striking to me, and I was amazed to learn how insanely successful this album was outside of my little music bubble, which I'm currently looking to expand...

I really enjoyed the music and singing on this, but I found it hard to focus on the story being told in the lyrics. I kept tuning out, which made the album overall sound very samey. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I connected with the lyrics.

3.5

I'm really not that into country, even Willie Nelson.

3/4

Love his vibe

Didn’t dislike this as much as expected, reeaaallyyyy quick each song. Fav: Just as I am

Standouts I Couldn't Believe it was True Bandera

Pleasant. I've not had great experience with country and this list so far. Was wondering if I just don't like country that much. This just felt nice though. Pure songwriting. No flashy production. Simple instrumentation. All just nice and tidy.

70’s Country ⭐️Can I Sleep In Your Arms

Latest episode in my evolving relationship to concept albums. This is a fundamentally different kind of thing to most of the other albums on the list. I enjoyed the story it tells but I can't imagine listening to it more than a couple of times. It's beautiful and elegantly made. The cowboy stuff does all feel a little silly to me, though.

Joda

Et par gullkorn, men ellers meh

Fine.

Pretty stripped-down, with simple acoustic guitar and Nelson's signature voice. Easy to listen to.

I don’t like country music, but I’ll make an exception for Willie Nelson.

It’s not incredibly remarkable, but Nelson’s got such a calming voice. These cowboy songs just get me.

3/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/willie-nelson/red-headed-stranger/ It's pretty fun! I can't say I'm a country guy, so generally Willie Nelson's stuff annoys me a bit, but this I can handle. Also makes me want to play Red Dead Redemption.

Nice

I always want this album to be better. I love Willie and classic country, but it’s kinda just slightly different versions of the same song over and over. That being said, that one song is great.

It's the sweetest, most gentle country record one can imagine. If I liked country a little bit more that would be at least a 4 or maybe even 5.

Y'know I liked this more than I thought I would for a Country album. Still not my taste at all but I could easily have this on in the background and be perfectly content.

I'll take this over pop country any day but it's still not really my thing

3.5 Very pleasant and easy to listen to. I like the second half more, the songs are a bit more complex, a bit more “full.” The first half is a lot of almost song shorts or wisps of ideas.

A gentle collection of lullabies Favourite track: Just as I am

It was fine. Willie is fine. I appreciate his place in music history, if not his actual music, but wouldn’t seek it out.

Yee haw

Not really for me but I like Willie’s voice

it's not my taste, it's a bit monotonous, but some people like it

Heard this a while back and thought it was pretty good for a genre that's not really my thing. Came back to time of the preacher again and again.

Totally fine!

7/10

Likte det mer enn æ tenke æ kom til å gjøre. Fint og sparsommelig arrangement, er gøy når det plutselig er litt mer instrumentering. Gøy med mellomsporet Down Yonder.

Koselig musikk. Stort minus at alle låten e helt lik. Vippes opp til tre stjerne kun fordi det e Willie Nelson.

Hørt på reise, men det passet bare ikke. Jeg tror man må ha fyr i peisen på ei hytte uten dekning for å virkelig få utbytte av denne skiva. Syntes egentlig det er fint, men sanger som Down Yonder gjør at det er noen automatiske skips.

Gas

Perfect litle song cycle about being Willie.

Leaning low 3 but could be convinced to go a little higher. Grew on me on a second listen but likely won't revisit

I went back through Willie Nelson's discography while listening to this album because I've heard his popular stuff but not any of these songs. Something happened to him in the late 60s/early 70s, and he looks like a completely different person. Like he was a normal, basic white dude, and then one album later, suddenly he's fully Willie Nelson. Otherwise, this was nice but pretty generic old school country.

2.5-3.0

I’m not sure if I “get” Willie. I’ve got tons of respect for his career, idealism, independence, playing, etc. But I’ve never fully gotten the mystique. This is a beauty, though.

C'était très apaisant après avoir dû passer par Napalm Death... Mais peut-être un brin TROP apaisant. Difficile de garder les yeux ouverts un matin après avoir eu un cours et avoir peu dormi. Mais tout de même, belles chansons dans l'ensemble et Willie est et restera toujours absolutely goated. Chanson pref : Just as I am (?) Mention honorable : Time of the Preacher qui revient 3 fois en 15 chansons. Tour du chapeau!

j’avais de la misère à respirer au début cause I was afraid he’d call me a slur, mais quand j’ai appris qu’il était de gauche je me suis détendue. oui j’ai des préjugés envers le country, mais je travaille ACTIVEMENT à les défaire et comrade Willie here is playing a huge part in that journey 👊 chanson préférée : me suis surprise à taper du pied à ‘Can I Sleep in Your Arms’ donc je vais y aller avec celle-là

Love Willie Nelson. I think his country style is a lot more palatable and relatable than most of the genre and listening to this I find it interesting that Willie is not an archetype but a one of a kind performer

A nice listen, I didn’t connect with it in a strong way.

His voice is easy on the ears

surprisinly i liked the idea of a concept country album, i liked this songs (Time of the Preacher, Remember me when the candles lights are gleaming, Hands on the Wheel)

Mukavan letkeää country-musiikkia. Mikään biiseistä ei jäänyt erityisesti mieleen, vaan ne vähän kuin sulautuivat toisiinsa. Eikä sen tarvitse olla huono asia. En ollut varmaan ikinä aiemmin kuunnellut Willie Nelsonia.

I am not really a country music fan but it was pretty decent.

Une bonne country très intéressante à découvrir

I like Willie and he and the other musicians sound fantastic. The women killing thing kind of drags this down.

Time of the Preacher - 4/5 I Couldn't Believe It Was True - 4.5/5 Time of the Preacher Theme - 3/5 Medley: Blue Rock Montana / Red Headed Stranger - 3/5 Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain - 3/5 Red Headed Stranger - 5/5 Time of the Preacher Theme - Short Version - 3/5 Just as I Am - 3.5/5 Denver - 3/5 O'er the Waves - 3/5 Down Yonder -4/5 Can I Sleep in Your Arms - 3.5/5 Remember Me (When the Candle Lights Are Gleaming) - 3/5 Hands on the Wheel - 3/5 Bandera - 3/5

I enjoyed the album. Not an immediate choice for me to listen too but would listen again and again.

3.5

Sans plus

Mouais, pas horrible mais pas mon style

Yeee ah cowboy

C'est sympa, le genre d'album que j'aurais pas écouté par moi-même mais qui passe bien en fond

It's a nice folk album. Not sure I would own it but I liked it.

I listened to this record back when I reviewed Atardust a few months back. As a whole, I like this album more than that one… even if it didn’t spend ten straight years on the billboard charts. That said, I can’t say I’m particularly enthralled with either. Sleepy country ballads just aren’t my jam.

Kept waiting for Time of the Preacher to show up a 4th time. Honestly, I could have missed it because these songs are EXTREMELY similar. I understand the Willie love, the guy is iconic for multiple reasons. But this mostly bored me

it's 3.5

Great instrumentation (particularly piano work), and I love Willie's voice, but the genre just isn't really within my tastes.

stvarno dobar i lijep kantri album! ne bih ga nikada ovako iz čista mira slušao, ali baš je lijepo i čil bilo

No muy fan del género. Música muy tranquila y sencilla, no por eso mala música, al contrario, hacer que algo sencillo suene muy bien puede ser retador. Aún así, no es el estilo de música que me gusta escuchar. Lo que me gustó: las letras, son muy poéticas; la forma musical de cada pista es muy buena y ordenada, son como sonetos; el uso de pocos instrumentos y aún así tener un sonido con mucho carácter; no me cansó el disco, la verdad tiene una duración decente y cada pista es disfrutable ya que no es empalagoso con el estilo. En fin, buen disco

Laid back pleasant album.

5/10

He has a voice that you want to spend time with. You could happily listen to it tell you stories for days like a comforting grandpa retelling tales from his youth. Perfectly pleasant without the feel of being groundbreaking. Although I don't know the genre well enough to know whether it might have been.

Compared to some great albums on this list, this felt a bit like a Ferrero Rocher. Small, delightful, not particularly satisfying, but good at what it does. Hearing 2m and sub 2m songs makes a nice change - I just start nodding my head and *poof* its gone. Lyrics are more on the 'outlaw' side, which I always appreciate. Too sweet to give less than a 3, too insubstantial to give more.

Música para señores de rancho. Para levantar la pala con café negro en la mano.

I had no idea what I was expecting going in, but 1. it was not this and 2. I liked what it actually is a lot more than I expected to. I actually sorta hate most country and I think had basically never heard (or clocked that I was listening to anyway) a Willie Nelson song other than On the Road Again. So I was pleasantly surprised by this! Apparently it's also mostly covers of old country tunes, as well. Makes sense, it sounds like it. I especially liked the little honky tonk break that was Down Yonder. The rest of the record is kinda samey (not in a bad way, it's short enough for that) so it was a pleasant little surprise in the back half.

Blue Eyes is a Top 1000 song for me, I love Willie's general "pace", if that makes sense, but nothing else snapped enough for me to be like "yes, a 4 it is", so here we are

"Don't boss him, don't cross him, he's wild in his sorrow." It really seems relevant to keep in mind that murdering someone for attempted horse theft was considered ok back in the wild west? Anyhow, this does seem like a great album within its genre and from this time period. A 3.5 for sure, makes me want to hang out at a camp fire.

Ah Willie. Such a wordsmith. Folks forget what a good guitar player he is. Not just a three chord country guy.

Respect for Willie but not for me

Don’t mind Willie, just wasn’t feeling it today

5/10 When I think of country music, Willie Nelson is the kind of stuff I'm thinking about - not the pop country stuff that pops up on the Billboard 100. That being said... This is good country, but I don't really find it very interesting. Nothing really grabbed me. It's a little too stripped down. His voice is terrific though, pure country. Good for what it is, but not for me.

Good album. Willie has a great voice and the songs are well written. The pared down instrumentation and the mellowness make this an understated album. It's good but nothing grabbed me and made me want to listen again.

Willie Nelson’s music is not my cup of tea. But I do recognize him as an American icon who deserves every respect.

Powerfully sparse. Beautiful soul.

Wow! Willie Nelson has a lovely voice.

I'd like to give this a second listen and see if it strikes me differently. I thought it was good, not great.

Just walking down the middle of that slow sad country road eh? I like Willie Nelson, and I like some of his music, but this didn’t quite connect for me. It was okay, maybe a bit bland? His voice is just class, it’s beautiful, and the music certainly does set a mood. 3.0/5.0 Best Song: Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain

Really wanted to like this album, but it was exceptionally mid. They are perfectly pleasant country tunes, but nothing that really gets you excited.

Not bad but it is kind of self similar throughout. There were times I thought I had it looping or something some of the melodies were so similar. It's good for those downtrodden moods for sure.

He had a really nice voice, and I like the brevity of the songs. They all kinda blend together which kinda gets old over time

Southern charm bottled in fifteen tracks. A lot of simple songs played extravagantly. I found myself expecting but not getting emotional resonance from many of the songs here, despite feeling their honesty. It’s somewhat of a paradoxical concept, but I think it’s rooted from the simplicity of the songs. I went to make it clear that they are simple but not technically dull. However, there also was not a strong tether that I could latch onto and feel heavy emotion from. I have a measure of appreciation of a song like Hands on the Wheel, but I feel like it wasn’t dynamic enough and dragged on. Despite only being slightly over thirty minutes, there are moments where you can still feel the minutes of some songs, which represents a structural problem to me. There is joy in the lightheartedness of the album, and it is something to play to make your day a little sunnier, but there was a deeper element that I found was missing. Faves: I Couldn’t Believe It Was True, Bandera, Can I Sleep in Your Arms, Remember Me (When the Candle Lights Are Gleaming)

Un poco monótona la primera mitad. Si se ve lo influyente que fue para el country posterior, igual me gustó, pero no es precisamente mi género

Overall: 6/10 Not a bad way to spend half an hour. I've always though Willie has a nice voice for specific types of country, and it's definitely the slower stuff here that I enjoy the most. I also like the repeating motifs of this album, they really make it feel like a cohesive piece of work. I did find myself getting a bit tired of his style near the end, and if this was any longer I probably would be giving it a lower rating, but it's a solid album in a genre I still don't have a ton of love for. Fav Song: Red Headed Stranger

***A good,easy listening album

Good sixties album from one of the kings of C&W

Nunca tinha parado para ouvir um álbum country de verdade, foi uma experiência muito interessante. Ele é muito calmo e relaxante de ouvir. "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain" e "Time of the Preacher" são as melhores para mim.

First country album of this list for me. Feels homey and nostalgia to me.

Easy listening.

Not my thing, but enjoyed the album driving today.

javel // koselig høydepunkt: Down Yonder, Can I Sleep In Your Arms?

Surprised to see Willie Nelson pop back up so soon on here but it’s always welcome. Country music is something i’d never seek out usually but i think if im in the right mood i’d chuck this one Bandera lowkey gave me some animal crossing vibes half way through, thought i accidentally switched tracks

I usually do not listen to country but this album fascinated me. Very bare instrumentation and melancholic voice. I had limited time today to listen to it carefully, but In the future I'll return to it paying closer attention to the lyrics. 3.75/5

Certainly a Willie Nelson album. If you like Willie then you probably love this album as every song sounds like Willie Nelson singing while playing guitar. 6/10

I dont really care much for country, solid record tho

Country's not really my thing. I don't mind some of Willie's works. This was just OK for me.

Country en estado puro, solo voces, guitarras y algún piano. Bastante bueno. Temas cortos y muy agradables. El álbum es muy coherente aunque podría resultar repetitivo, pero no baja su calidad en ningún momento, no tiene temas de relleno aunque muchos suenen muy parecidos. 6/10.

Pretty good, not Willie's best

Its background music - no song really grabs you by the balls

Great for feeling nostalgic and kinda messy

This is the country music i could get behind. However, it seems like there are a few fully mapped out songs and others are just deconstructions of the same lines or sounds

As always, I'm way out of my comfort zone with country music. I like Willie Nelson's voice and lots of the song writing. On this record, I really admired how many of the tracks are less than 2 minutes long, or even under 1 minute. Absolutely no fucking around here - just cranking the song and moving on. I don't have this feeling with many genres or sub-genres (even the first time I hear them), but something about country music tells me this will always be someone else's music, and will never mean much to me. 3.5*

Hey, that's this old guy from Monk!

an interesting concept with really good singing, but even clocking in at a mere 33 minutes, this felt dreadfully slow. it's nice! but slow. maybe i'm just too much of a coastal-elite urbanist city slicker to appreciate outlaw country, but also even for as nice as wilie nelson's singing is, i do generally prefer female vocalists as a side note. this whole album is quaint and charming, but that's about it for me. my only real in roads to country, aside from country-influenced artists who i like (eg, faye webster), is my late grandmother's obsession with garth brooks. it all sounds nearly identical to me.

I spent a lot of my teenage years in a rural island in Canada and people there were very proud of being from the "country" and I god damn hated it. My hour-and-a-half school journey on the bus played exclusively country music, and every friend of the family I was forced to visit would give the same spiel nearly everytime about how "new country sucks, but that old country? That's the good stuff." Then they'd get drunk on piss water beer and listen to albums like this. You'd think that would mean I've grown a deep hatred of albums like this but it has instead created a perverse nostalgia. So despite this being an album I do have to mark down for being so damn slow for the most part, I did still find it kind of charming. It's far from the best country album I've heard, again it is just too slow for me, but it has some pretty nice singing and a concept throughline that almost kept me engaged! Almost!

I liked it, was a little slower than music I usually listen to but it was nice

A few great songs

it just all begins to blend together and I hate to say it but the vocals begin to sound quack-ish. not enough edge

Normally I love a concept album, but something about the genre of this one makes it feel a bit like a caricature of itself. I feel like I’m inside a western. I’m sure it’s for someone, but it’s not for me!

6 - AVERAGE

3.5

This was the palate cleanser I needed after yesterday's album. I don't even like country very much, but at least this album has personality. Truthfully, I don't have much to say about it. It's very easy listening. There's something about Willie's voice that speaks to me. Strong 3

I wonder if he's ever smoked a joint

Dang Willie could write a song

was pretty decent, another classic. i usually don't listen to old country like this, so it's not really my style, but i thought it was really well written. i liked can i sleep in your arms and time of the preacher and its recurrence throughout the album. 6/10

not my tempo but i enjoyed parts of it thoroughly

This puffs for you Willie

enjoyed this more than i thought i would

Not really into country but it was a good listen.

Classic but boring and all songs sounded the same

Solid country album. I like a bit of Willie and it was interesting to look back a bit into his catalogue. Made me go back to his first album, which i also really enjoyed.

very quick, not totally my vibe but I did enjoy the casual listen

Really nice

I’m not generally a fan of country music. This album however I found side 1 quite compelling. Side 2 was not so much to my taste. A little too ho down…