Red Headed Stranger

just so simply wonderful

yeah like about what I expected. Some ok cuts but just not entirely my thing. I was hoping I'd like it more but it was just okay

Ordentliche Country Platte mit viel Gefühl und kurzweiligen Titeln.

Willie Nelson is an incredible singer, he’s a phenomenal songwriter, responsible for an absolutely insane number of country/western standards. He’s a legendary performer who’s still putting on shows to this day, and yet It’s almost impossible not to be blown away by his ability to weave a terrific concept album with not only a coherent storyline, but a coherent storyline that includes a number of other old standards written by others. It’s really an impressive feat, performed in the midst of numerous other impressive feats. This album is rightfully considered a masterpiece, and I think we’re all lucky to live in a time when we can listen to and enjoy it. 5*

I believe this is one of country music’s first true concept albums, and although far be it from me to speak for Willie Nelson, if I had to guess, I don’t think he would call it a concept album. I’d guess that he simply calls it storytelling, and the storytelling on this album is top tier. This album transports you completely to another time and place through its simplicity, and the purity of the folk and country music new and old interspersed with elements of Mexican music (“O’er the Waves”) and popular music (“Down Yonder”) breathes life into the western tale spun in the lyrics throughout the album. It makes it incredibly easy to imagine, to vividly watch as if the album is a fully produced feature film, the story of The Red Headed Stranger. Something that amazes me about this album is how few of the songs on it were actually written by Willie—he has a writing credit on 6 of 15 songs, three of which are variations on “Time of the Preacher” (the others being the “Blue Rock Montana” portion of the medley, “Denver”, and the haunting “Bandera”). To put together an album of this caliber is one thing, but to assemble it from disparate old country songs, Mexican waltzes, hymns, and popular music and weave them into a seamless narrative is truly a stroke of genius. For me, this remains one of the finest accomplishments in country music and the definitive Willie Nelson record. It doesn’t really get much better than this.

I don’t know if there are many comparisons made between Willie Nelson and Neil Young. To me, their voices both come through in the same register, both are all-American storytellers. But man, Willie Nelson is to me what Neil Young is to seemingly everyone else. There’s more conviction in Willie’s stories, more firm deliveries. A very recognizable voice that isn’t shrill half the time. The “Medley: Blue Rock Montana” song is one of the many songs that feel like restful pit stops on a long highway journey. This album didn’t give me the same WOW factor that stardust did, but I don’t think that’s the point. These songs seem to be more like short, quick portraits or companion stories. If that was the goal here, “Redheaded Stranger” is a success.

Willie Nelson goodness, good for the soul

Not really my style, but I liked the title track

I'm not a country guy, but it's hard to hate Willie

Sömnig country, tråkigt

Not a huge fan. It's not bad, just terribly boring and sleep inducing.

Willie’s vocal delivery is much better than I anticipated. Lyrically he tells a story with the best of them. Instrumentation provides a nice clear platform for the lyrics without ever standing out too much.

Massive snooze fest. 1/5 stars.

Sparse but excellent

Gosh, so much music coming out of the 1970s, some of it good, some of it bad. This is one of those gems, that sound like it could be a lot older. This transports you to the wild west, by a roaring fire, it's been a sunny day but the chill has come into the air. You are sipping a bourbon and listening to that chatty uncle telling stories about their love interests. Their voice not too annoying, deep, or too cheesy. Just about right.

I thought it was good. I like western folk and can now hear a lot of his influence in other artists. But I was not wowed

yehaaah 🤠

war am anfang garnicht überzeugt aber dochdoch, schon bärig

Country isn’t often my thing, but this is one of Willie’s best!

didnt distract me so probably boring.

Redheaded stranger is no skips, which seems almost like a cheat because there are a lot of re-reiterations of songs on the album itself. But I wanna hear them again because theyre that good. Shout out to the title track, which is fucking awesome. That remember me solo is awesome.

It's a good classic. The songs are not bad, just not for me. Bandera at the end was a good finish though.

Ech be halt ned work e Folk/Countrymusig Hörer. Trotzdem geds emmer weder Banger, woni I dem Albom ned work gfonde ha.

Not my thing, but very peaceful

Love it.

I feel like the songs were so short! It's good, just too fast. Wanted to hear the songs develop more.

If I had nothing better to do, I might have enjoyed this. 2 stars.

Pretty dull and not for me. Background at best 2

C'est bon, mais un peu plate. J'ai eu l'impression d'entendre le héros américain de Patrick Normand. Même genre de belle voix d'ange qui nous sirupe des ballades aux oreilles. Ça manque de graffignes.

C'est real.

Time of the Preacher // Red Headed Stranger // 2.5/5

I’m generally of the opinion that country music is shit. I started this expecting my opinion not to be changed. However, I liked this album. Don’t get me wrong. Country music is still shit, but if all country music was like this then my general opinion might well have been different.

With a commanding, yet gentle timbre to his voice, thoughtful and introspective lyrics relating to the trials and tribulations of life, and some questionable sequencing, there's a lot to love about Red Headed Stranger. I'm simply not a fan of the mixing, however. I'm ok with sequences of short songs if they all play into a larger whole, but that's simply not the case here. I wanted more songs like the title track and "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain", because as a consequence of their extended length, they allow for Nelson to shine vocally and instrumentally. The instrumentation on this record is like coming home to a warm fire after a long day in the cold; it puts your mind at ease, while at the same time commanding your full attention. It's also full of little piano and guitar licks throughout, so despite the low-tempo of this album, you're never bored. The 3 star rating simply reflects the fact that this kind of music isn't for me. But I can definitely recognize the genius of this album.

Not really a huge WN fan.

Enjoyable and easy breezy. Not my favourite genre of music but still interesting.

What a voice. Lovely stuff. The only song I'd say that truly stood out was the first track, and one of the few actually written by Willie. Torn between 3 and 4 but I'll go 4 cause I like him

A little sparse, but the bones are good.

As someone who’s not into country, this was surprisingly enjoyable. Lots of country music feels like a parody of itself compared to this. This instead felt genuine!

My first Willie Nelson album and it was great!

I found this to be a much more enjoyable album than the earlier Willie Nelson suggestion. There was a lot more variety to the feeling of the songs than on Stardust. Instead of an onslaught of melancholy, there was some pep in Willie's step. The sadder tracks were still there, but they were broken up by different vibes over the course of the album. The songs also flowed well, and the album breezed by (most songs weren't even 3 minutes long). It didn't feel like a drag at any point. Even so, I still wouldn't say it was something I particularly loved. I can appreciate the musicianship. While the songs weren't overly complicated or made of unique arrangements, they were full of feeling and used the components effectively. Willie's voice is also just right for the stripped-down mix. The album's simple nature makes sense when it feels like the music is trying to take you to somewhere else. Like you're out west, passing time on your journey, and all you have is music and the environment around you. I think I may like this album more if I listen to it again. I just don't know that I have that strong a desire to do so. It's possible that I'll grow into this one at some point, but for now, it just doesn't resonate as a special album. Overall: 2.6/5

I thought this would be cowboy grandpa music, and it is, but somehow it made me wanna ride into the sunset and rethink my life.

Starts of ok, but then just descends into mumbling country twaddle.

I've never been a fan or country music so this was always going to be a tough listen. I had to persevere through multiple listens to find something to like. I missed the extent of the storytelling at first; I just zoned out due to the minimalist instrumentals. This is the redeeming feature for me but my mind on country music remains unchanged.

The countriest of country music. Not my thing

Ahh good old Willie Nelson! This was a very interesting album not one I've heard but I do enjoy me some Willie!

A Nelson lo ví en alguna película y me impresionó tanto que aún creo que es lo más auténtico que tiene los EE.UU como música; el country y Nelson entre los mejores. Es auténtico desde su imagen. Chapeau.

Didn’t wow me, but didn’t annoy me or overstay its welcome

A little slow for me, and I couldn't really get into it

It grew on me at the end there

4 estrelas

Ehhh, not a fan of this kind of music but its not bad or anything. It's what I'd expect to hear in a sad country movie or something. Down Yonder is pretty decent.

Obviously talented, but not my cup of tea.

Really enjoyed this album. Never spent the time to listen to a Willie Nelson album previously and thought this one was excellent. He has an amazing voice and this short but entertaining album was a great start to my day!

Country Schmalz ...

2.5. Not my thing.

Such a well thought out concept, too bad i don’t like this music at all

Mid

not bad music, but just not what I like

I have never heard this one before and it might be the most relaxed, soothing, 10/10, 50 year old Country & Western concept album about murder I've ever heard.

I own Wille Nelson albums but not this one. I went into this one cold. Loved it. Stripped down, outlaw country.It's quiet but haunting . A hint of menace. You need to listen to the album as a whole not just cherry pick songs from it. I can honestly say that this one is now on my list

Some great gems and first time I realized how musical Nelson's voice is. I did love listen to the small, almost almost unnoticeable runs he adds to lines so they have character and sound different each time he repeats a line.

MANGO AND BEEF JERKY GOOODNESSS. DOWN YOUDER & CAN I SLEEP IN YOUR ARMS.

J - 2/5 Best Track - "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" F - DNL

ganz geiles country Album fav track Red headed Stranger oder can i sleep in your arms

Mir reichts. Ich will keinen langweiligen Country mehr

3 out of 5. My grandfather loved Willie Nelson and this made me feel a tiny bit closer to him.

Immediately recommended to our mutual friend, Geoff Hatt, as inspiration for his on-going country project, as this is a lovely sounding record. The guitar is clean, but raw with the occasional dissonance buzzing among all those I, IV, V chords. Willie's voice is sweet. The drums crisp. The piano bright. The theme recurs for too many times for a half-hour albums, but the overall effect was enough to make it stick out among country records, even on the one listen I had time to give it. 2.5 Old-timey country is fine. Pleasant, like a walk through a sunlit cornfield or a roll in the hay with an attractive cousin probably. I read that this is a ‘concept album’. Now I may be just a greenhorn, city slicking indoorsman but this isn’t my first concept album rodeo and I declare Willie’s ‘concept’ to be all hat and no cattle. That dog don’t hunt. You can put your boots in the oven but that don’t make ‘em biscuits. Whatever trace of a story there is here evaporates by the final few tracks and I say a sense of musical homogeneity needs to be achieved at a deeper level than plonking out ‘Amazing Grace’ with worse lyrics every other track. Floyd knows how it’s done. No sir, not your cousin Bessie’s boy, a different one. And your album cover is just as ugly as a mud fence. 2/5

As always, I loved this Willie Nelson album. The only previously track I had heard was Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, but the rest of the album was equally inspired and I really enjoyed listening -- so much that I played it all the way through twice. Just great vocals, great playing and great lyrics -- just great all around. Production quality was excellent and the performances were just perfect. Five stars.

It was fine. Didn’t really grab me

It's Willie

Don’t cross Willie

This Willie did not pique my interest.

A decent enough album but it was just a bit bland for me 3 ⭐️

Surprisingly good! More "O Brother, Where Art Thou" than pure country music.

Jag hade aldrig någon aning om var i albumet jag var, väldigt spännande

Not for me

A bit meh.

What’s the fucking point of this? I’m serious. Just half an hour of ‘country songs’ - that literally describes the whole album. Absolutely pointless. 2 stars because it didn’t actively irritate me but that is generous.

One of my favorite discoveries from this list. Impeccable. Those nylon strings on Trigger help Willy deliver the sad stories of betrayal and longing. The silence between notes is as important as the notes themselves. Stunning.

True godfather of a sound, Willie kills with this release.

great country music!

Not a huge Willie Nelson fan. Good though

Are you telling me the great actor, Willie Nelson, from classics like Beerfest, the Dukes of Hazard remake, and Zoolander 2 also sings?!

Lovely country album - soft and forlorn

Easy going album for a Tuesday morning. An evocative story told over well constructed music. Glad I got to hear this one.

This is the kind of country I like

His first really big album. Still sounds good.

It's a concept album! I grew up hearing Willie Nelson so I'm biased but I really enjoy this album. The stripped down music, the story, Willie in his prime.... I get not liking modern country, it's just pop with a twang, but this is what it used to be. Decent songs written by some country dude that has seen some shit. Great album and it will be added to my rotation and I now need to listen to some more Willie Nelson.

I dig Willie - I did have to check and see if the record was over several times because of the repeated theme song throughout.

Cozy old country music!!!

Nice music, but what's going on with this "album"? Several short songs, many versions of the same songs, some hidden under different titles. What was the thought process here?

Did this guy pay to be on the list?

Absolutely a Hall of Fame album. The arrangements and vocals are unlike anything else.

While I obviously knew that Willie had made music I always saw him as someone like Snoop Dogg; obviously a legendary figure in their genre but the music has become secondary to the fame and they play an exaggerated version of themselves. Still as someone who has always wanted to get into more of the country classics like this I was excited. Especially at the idea of a concept album. Unfortunately, it was a bit flat and a bit too short but overall not bad. 7/10

Didn't pay enough attention to the (seemingly continuous) lyrics/storytelling to appreciate this fully

Not as good compared to stardust

Minimalist Country that weaves a story together about a cheatin’ wife, a gun, a horse, a bar, and a vengeful husband. It’s not bad but someone please help me understand what the fuss is about. I’m grading it 3/5 with hopes that someone can tell me why it deserves that rating, or a higher one.

This album is the soundtrack for every soul-sick cowboy haunted by the past and his own poor choices. And you're unsure at the end whether he's found redemption or an empty church. There are no heroes, only villains and victims in the old south/west.

Enjoyable listen.

Fuck yah dude

Hell yeah partner 🤠

Now I know where to go for Willie

County is one of the genres I don't see myself getting into. I certainly don't have a hate boner for it like a lot of people seem to, but the vibe nor the sound of country don’t appeal to me at all. This album is fine. But it's definitely not something I would relisten (or even listen on my own time in the first place). It's quiet, chill, and relaxing and is decent background music. If you enjoy this kind of vibe, then it's good, but it's not something I'm looking for in music.

A little forced, maybe? Nice melodies.

Yeah, good old Willie. It's a no from me sorry. He sounded old back then and he sounds old now.

A bit boring

Not bad this.

Niet helemaal geluisterd, maar wat ik hoorde heb klonk goed!

Really not my thing found it to be quite boring

Definitely not my genre, i do not like country, but it was good for a country album, good vocals

NO

Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain

Willie be Willie.

It was nice, didn't grab me though. Title track was good. Not sure about his voice

Last song is beautiful, rest is pretty boring honestly, flows well from one to another but zzzzz

Bang boom- an instant classic. This will be my new defense when dorks hate indiscriminately on country music.

I just love the vibe of a Willie Nelson album

An album I'd never find in my own. Some of the best things are left undiscovered.

I like this album but I do find the theme to be a bit over done.

What a different album. Short songs telling brief stories. Completely stripped down- a guitar and a mandolin sometimes, Willie's nasally voice. Some of the songs are entirely instrumental. Incredibly different. Time of the Preacher I Couldn't Believe It Was True Time of Preacher Theme Medley: Blue Rock Montana/Red Headed Stranger Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain Red Headed Stranger Time of the Preacher Theme Just as I Am Denver O'er thr Waves Down Yonder Can I Sleep in Your Arms Remember Me Hands on the Wheel Bandera Bach Minuet in G I Can't Help It A Maiden's Prayer Bonaparte's Retreat

The red-headed stranger: I'm going to kill my cheating wife! The red-headed stranger, 5 minutes later: I'm going to kill you for touching the horse that belonged to my wife, who I loved! Tommy Lee Jones: I don't care!

I was surprised how much I liked this voice, but the album was just okay to me.

Absolutely acoustic, with a wonderful voice of someone who lived a life. Moving, minimalistic approach to country with some nice storytelling. Just wish there was a little less of monotony

Good country album. Great storytelling. Not my usual go-to music, but fun all the same. Willie is a legend.

Good. I only knew Shotgun Willie

Having a hard time coming up with reasons not to give this 5 stars. Probably a 4.5 but I’ll give it to Willie.

Damn. I thought I'd hate this but enjoyed it quite a bit. Simple storytelling across 30 minutes which adds up to a very pleasant album.

As a huge fan of Springsteen’s Nebraska it was very cool getting to listen to the blueprint Nelson laid down in the Red Headed Stranger. For me, this is country at its best. Melancholy lyrics sung with enough reverb to make you think old Nelson was the last man on Earth. Nelson’s songs evoke vivid images of empty abodes and bustling old west saloons. While not my favourite genre, there’s certainly a lot to appreciate here in Nelson as a singer and songwriter. Three stars ✨

Lindo disco. En contraste con la música folk de Bob Dylan, el trabajo de Willy Nelson me resultó mucho más relajante, tranquilo. Pero tal vez las letras me llamaron menos la atención. Su voz me resulta mucho más amena en comparación a Dylan.

I'm not a Willie Nelson fan--he's typically too country for me. This one is a little better than most of his other stuff as it has a folkier feel. Probably still not something I'd go back to, but better than other Willie Nelson stuff I've heard, for sure. 3/5

Breezy album, part of me wishes it was longer. Quintessential country.

It sounded exactly like I expected

Not a big fan of country, but liked one or two songs enough to make this 2 stars. It doesn’t seem bad or anything, just not my cup of tea personally

Stoner cowboy music for any occasion. Sit outside and play this on a speaker nearby. Fav - Resonance - 10 Hooks - 5 Yield - 8 Technique - 7 Heart - 11 Momentum - 7 48/60

10/10

10/10 Amazing country concept record. The only country experience I’ve had before this is all the pop country on the radio and this blows it out of the water. Nelson is also supremely talented on the guitar, piano, and harmonica. Well deserved 5 stars.

Willie Nelson is maybe the most important American artist of the last century.

My first Willie Nelson album and I absolutely loved it

Am aware of Willie but have never listened to a complete album. It started well and I thought hello - this could be a 5 - but then it just drifted and meandered and became a western sound track and left me behind.

Red Headed Stranger This is a bit of a gem, if an album that's sold over 2m copies can be a gem. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a whole Willie Nelson album before, but I thought this was fantastic, a stripped down and spare concept album, with a gently evocative sombre charm. As well as highlighting his laid back and understated delivery, there’s a pleasing unsentimentality to it all, the tale unfolds through his own compositions and his arrangement of other’s songs, complemented by some lovely instrumental embellishments - the harmonica on Just As I Am and the little bits of Mandolin on Denver, and the piano throughout. Some great bass too, both in tone and playing. All the tracks contribute to the story, and even I’m not that keen on the ragtime of something like Down Yonder, there are some superb songs on here - Time of the Preacher (as it weaves in and out), Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Just As I Am, Denver, Can I Sleep In Your Arms and Bandera are all expressively brilliant, evoking a dusty time and place. I also love how clear the folk and blues elements that make up part of country music are in it, helping to emphasise that sense of place. It’s a brilliantly performed and crafted narrative album and it gets better with each listen, right on the border of 4 and 5. I’ll stay with a very high 4 for now. 🧑‍🦰🧑‍🦰🧑‍🦰🧑‍🦰 Playlist submission: Time of the Preacher

Quite a pleasant affair, evoking saloons, the mid-west and Americana of the past. The doleful harmonica here and there smacks of the prairie, alongside the up and down clip clopping basslines. 'Can I Sleep in Your Arms', and 'Hands on the Wheel' are particularly nice country ballads. The saloon bar honky tonk of 'Down Yonder' and the gospel/blue tinged 'I Couldn't Believe It Was True' as the exceptions, I prefer the lilting side of the album rather than the more breezy numbers (such as 'Remember Me' or 'O'er the Waves'), which come off as a little clichéd and trite. That being said, Willie's cool-as-ice delivery injects a nonchalance to everything. The other big positive is the stripped back arrangements which means this doesn't sound dated like much 70s country.

4 stars

never listened to willie nelson before, at least now i know that i‘m not a willie nelson fan

I like Willie... but this list has A LOT of Willie, no? haha

damn. i’ve transcended. i can’t stop listening

Super fun album!

I'm not a country fan.

Though the album is somewhat controversial with its spare song structures and theme of murder and betrayal, I loved listening to it. I connected with its immediacy and its languid pacing and of course its deft storytelling. Loved it. 4.5 stars

Not a big country music fan, although I like the concept of ‘outlaw country.’ Should probably be stoned to thoroughly enjoy this.

One of my favorites!

A pretty breezy and stripped down country concept album. Consisting of a fugitive outlaw on the run after killing his wife and her lover, then his ensuing "redemption". It's melancholic, tender, sweet, hitting all the right chords. Willie Nelson has always been a great storyteller, embracing his "outlaw country" persona in a time where country music was getting the "Nashville Sound" treatment and leaning more towards a pop-ier sound. Can't hate the man!

Willie the GOAT, first half of this album kinda weak but the rest bangs.

Loved that each track flowed into one another. Made it hard to highlight a single track though. It’s fine. Not for me

Really enjoyed it. Quick songs.

Far from my usual cup of tea, but enjoyed it more than I expected. "Down Yonder" was great, and I enjoyed the nod to "Home on the Range" in the middle of "O'er the Waves".

So this made me cry, which I was not expecting. Some really beautiful songs on here, Can I Sleep In Your Arms set me off. Also there's a song early on where his girlfriend leaves him for someone else and he's like 'fair dos, hope you're happy and he's a lucky guy', I respect it Big Willie

Nice enough for what it is, although I doubt I'd go back to it it's a solid country album

I liked this! No country twang, some chill guitar. I'd definitely listen again.

Twang twang twang not my thing twang

A near perfect Willie Album

Love the spartan production.

A great Album -- listened to it twice

Obviously it wasnt up my alley as its probably one of the most American country album with a Texas/Alama mix of an accent, but hearing rag noise throughout the album as piano melodies really gives this an original vibe

Classic

What did I do to deserve such an honor? I got two Willie Nelson albums in a row.

Meh, more like red headed step child

ambient

This is a great album. It's definitely not typical of the country music that was being made at the time. Willie has such a great voice for storytelling and I love the several quick interludes that bring everything together. So good!

i love this album from him but it’s no stardust.

Overall great, straightforward, and solid listen.

Jeez. I know it’s all subjective but this couldn’t be less for me. Is this good within its genre

still not a country fan. coming back to this review after listening to stardust is interesting. Would I listen again: No Deserves to be on this list: Just keep Stardust 1.5

Shame on me for not listening to a Willie Nelson album prior to this musical task at hand. What a nice listen. It’s not so much any particular song or set of songs, it’s the album as a whole. It’s just nice music to sit down, or in my case, drive to. This is definitely my favorite brand of country. 9/10

Favorite Track: Red Headed Stranger

I’m in my grandfather‘s car. It’s either a Cadillac or a Buick, but whatever it is it has that plush brown interior and in between the driver seat in the passenger seat there’s enough space for a box that contains 8-track cassettes. He takes one of the 8-tracks out of the box and he puts it in the player on the dash and the sound that comes out is that of Willie Nelson. My grandfather died when I was nine years old so I didn’t really get to know much about him other than to know that he adored country music, wore very thick glasses (and this is what got him out of going to war) and he loved my mom and us kids so much.

Not available on Spotify

Not at all for me.

3/5

Old time country not as bad as I would've thought. Chill vibes

Vocales crudas de un vaquero melancólico. Primer disco que me hace extrañar a mi ex, eso no lo veía venir. Rola favorita: Red Headed Stranger 7/10 Bueno. Canciones simples con lírica especial, o tal vez solo estaba triste.

Moved this one to my listen-again playlist.

Excellent record. Very stripped down approach, but that really lets Willie's voice and lyrics shine. I like this one a lot.

zoned out

7/10

I'm torn on this one. On one hand we've got great story telling over authentic country music and of course Willie's great voice. I really wish they would have polished this up a bit from a production standpoint. Sounds like a demo and found myself adjusting the volume frequently. Half the album are covers of other so gs which I always knock off a star for. Good sleepy listen but not my favorite work from him.

Enjoyed this

Classic Willie!!! An icon for sure!!!

Willie is so calm and smooth, I really enjoy just vibing with the sound of his music and listening to the stories he tells.

This is country music to me, not that over produced pop thing. This is near perfect, you sit down with Willie and he tells you his stories. It’s like he is sitting there with you, it’s not an album it’s a moment in time. 5 Star.

Fine enough. Was it Willie Nelson? Yes it was.

I’m impressed. I guess I never gave his songs a real listen. His voice has a velvet layer and a strong character on top. What a great relaxing and interesting album.

хрень

classic country AF

Wow what if I just dislike folk more than country, 4 stars v enjoyable

Not a country fan, but Willie is a storyteller beyond compare and his songs of wistful longing are tough to beat.

What a masterpiece of musical storytelling. I was absolutely enthralled.

Slow and sleepy Willie Nelson, but pleasant nonetheless.

This was the slowest and sleepiest country album I think I've ever heard. For it to be this bare bones and have this much impact is pretty telling.

Stupendous. I enjoyed so much of this, very nostalgic.

it's boring to me tbh like a 1/5

Fine country album. Didn't love it. Didn't hate it.

75/100. Red Headed Stranger by Willie Nelson shows what great storytelling in country music is all about. This is a solid country record with calm instrumental playing and a very consistent sound. Every track feels perfectly placed, as if each piece was meant to be there—nothing seems out of place. The album flows smoothly, drawing you into its narrative with a clear, unhurried pace. Overall, Red Headed Stranger is a good example of country music that delivers both on musicality and storytelling.

You really feel Willie's country roots here, totally captures the slow goings on of dusty old town lost in time.

One of the greatest country albums ever released. Beautiful storytelling with beautiful music.

Great country album

Very calming. I could listen to this guy sing the alphabet and not get bored

Sounds very smooth and relaxing. A very pleasent album to listen too, but I don't think I'm coming back to it anytime soon.

I don’t know enough about country. But it definitely sounded country to me

Good stuff here from Sweet Willie.

this was aight

Tiny folk and country milestone.

Yes, would listen again

Not really

Stripped-down and solid country music typical of Willie Nelson. I haven't listened to him for years, so it was nice to revisit his artistry.

13/03/25 I get it and understand that it's good, it's just boring.

Willie Nelson is the GOAT

Good vibes, would listen again

Well now, at one point I was thinking this was turning into what I could only describe as a country concept album, as ridiculous as that sounds. To be fair I really enjoyed listening to it. Most of the songs were (unusually enough for country music) about heart break. But not in a morose way. And that it is perfectly acceptable for a man to kill a woman because she tried to steal his horse is always going to be heartwarming. This is very much the best country album we've had so far, but will I ever listen to it again? Probably not, but in order to style consistent with my scores so far I'm afraid it's got to be a 4.

That was alright. Love the simplicity of the arrangements so that the vocal and story telling was crystal clear. A very high 2

Surprisingly better than I hoped. This is how Country music should sound like. This is the sort of thing you would go to see performed in a barn, sitting on haystacks. I bet there wasn't a single glossy cowboy boot anywhere to be seen when this was recorded, and certainly no line dancing. It's still not my thing, but I get it.

что за ковбойский рофл делать 10 разных песен с одним и тем же текстом??? Red Headed Stranger ненавижу всем сердцем простите это какой-то ковбойский пиздец я была очень рада, когда альбом закончился баллы за то, что во время прослушивания прерии и трактиры перед глазами вырисовывались

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be… Willie is the best.

Imagine settling down by a campfire on the prairie, millions of stars in the clear night sky, smells of grass and dirt, cool night air... And a big fat Willie Nelson joint to pass around. You're so baked you don't even object when someone pulls out the guitar and starts playing simple tunes overlaid with stories of preachers, pretty women , betrayal and horse thieves... But here I sit on a Thursday afternoon in my office and I'm not quite vibing, though I wish I was. Maybe I need to head out on the weekend. Three tin stars.

Not for me

good

This was fun! A cool story. I about dropped whatever was in my hands when I was getting ready when they were talking about shooting that couple (at least that's what I thought they were talking about). I believe that was "Melody Rock."

point6.

I dont really like this genre of music. Id give the album like 3/10 I don't really like this type of country music.

I rate blue eyes crying in the rain a 2 star because I don't like contry and there aren't many instruments ⭐⭐. I rate well I cant believe its true a 2 star because I don't like contry and there aren't many instruments ⭐⭐. I rate true of the perchered a 2 star because I don't like contry and there aren't many instruments ⭐⭐.

Song: blue eyes i like this song its very country so it is nice but it is kind of scary he killed his wife Song: i couldnt believe it was true this song is scary again because he killed her wife but this is when he found out i think Song: time of the preaches

I like this album because the songs are very calming and I feel like they would help me fall asleep. I like the voice octave in Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.

I like this song because it's calm. I would recommend I like this song because it's calm too. I would recommend this song

Do you want to listen to some music that has some guitar? Well in Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain you can! I rate this song a ⭐⭐⭐⭐. I recommend this song. Do you want to listen to some music that has a lot of guitar? Well in I couldn't Believe It Was True you can! I rate it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐., I recommend this song. Do you want to listen to some music that has some guitar? Well in Time Of The Preacher you can! I rate it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐. I recommend this song.

i like this song because i like the beat and the song is calm . i like the second song too but it sounds the same like the firs song . i recommend this album.

Have you ever wanted to listen to music? Then this album is perfect for you. I kind of life this album because I like how his voice sounds and also because I don't really like how the music sounds. I probably would recommend this album to someone else because I feel like I like it and so I feel like they would also like it. I would probably give this album a solid 4 stars out of 5.

i dont really like it because the lyrics are weird. the second one i dont really like because its just not somthing i would really listen too and i just dont like the lycrics. the third one i would also not listen too i also dont like country music.

the first song is okay the second song is worse I don't like it at all the voice sounds weird

I think the cover is interesting. I thought "Blue Eyes Crying in The Rain" was okay. I liked the guitar music. The lyrics were okay. "I Couldn't Believe It" sounded pretty much the same to me but it was better. I thought "Time of The Preacher" was okay. I liked this song best. I wouldn't recommend this album.

the first song is okay i kinda like the sounds of the instruments and his voice but i don´t like how slow it is. the next song is okay it is the same as the last song i don´t have much more feeling about it i do like that is is faster than the last song. the last song is a little better it is still the same as the first song but this time i like how slow it is and i like how loud and quiet it is at the same time. overall i would recommend it to my grandpa.

I like this song because it is a country song and why did he have to kill his wife and I feel like he can find another woman. red headed stranger I couldn't believe it was true I don't like this song because it is kinda a slow song I like this song because it is also a country song

It’s Willie Nelson, so how bad can it be?

I’ve heard worse.

With this album Wille became the legend. For its genre, this album is close to perfect.

Willie Nelson's "Red Headed Stranger" is a concept album that tells the story of a fugitive preacher evading the law after killing his wife and her lover. This album features a creative mix of original music alongside classic covers, including Fred Rose's "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," Wolfe Gilbert's "Down Yonder," and Juventino Rosas' "O'er the Waves." The album explores themes of loss, guilt, and longing, with a minimalist sound that emphasizes Nelson's signature gravelly voice, supported by acoustic guitar and harmonica. Standout tracks include "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," "Red Headed Stranger," "I Couldn't Believe It Was True," "Theme of the Preacher," and the somber instrumental "Bandera," which serves as the album's closing song. What distinguishes this album is its brevity; 15 tracks in approximately thirty minutes, creating an intriguing contrast between the slow, melodic nature of the songs and their swift progression. To fully appreciate this work, you need to dedicate time to immerse yourself in the story Nelson intricately weaves throughout the album. When listening, I felt I was transported into a quiet conversation with Nelson by a campfire under a starlit sky in the expansive Midwest. While Nelson has penned many remarkable songs throughout his career, for me, "Red Headed Stranger" stands out as his most complete album. This is a truly great album.

Sehr entspannend, Countrymusik halt

Probably great in Red Dead Redemption, but I feel too young for that stuff

A good album by the country legend.

There's something about that country guitar twanginess that I find really off-putting. I wanted to like this album more than I actually did.

4.3 - This was so much better than the other willie nelson album. Just super easy listening and great music

Simultaneously very nice and very boring. 2.7/5

It was really good. It's a quiet country album that wipes it's boots at the door before walking in, and tips its hat before it leaves.

A lovely country album about a stranger with ginger hair.

Willie! Ugh. Hard not to love a story where studio stooges were proven wrong when an artist's pure vision was realized. Love how stripped back this is. Makes me feel like I'm in open spaces listening on an old pickup truck radio even when I'm in a small office.

This fella’s alright

Hard not to like Willie Nelson, at least a little.

Not really my thing, but Willie's got a great voice. I do like that the full album tells a story, and pretty much any song could be put in a western. The main melody that repeats across the album is great, but I think I'd rather listen to it in smaller doses. Time of the Preacher Theme was probably my favorite, while I wasn't as much of a fan of some of the faster paced songs like I Couldn't Believe It Was True or especially Down Yonder.

It was good

The sparse production lets Willie’s voice shine, and the story becomes more prominent. Unfortunately, most of the album is in the same tempo and except for Hands Behind the Wheel (which is fantastic) and the title track, no songs really stand out.

★★★★⅕

“Red Headed Stranger” is a decent, middle-of-the-road album by Willie Nelson. It’s not my favorite, but it’s not the worst either. It has its moments, but overall, it’s a fairly average listen.

техасская возня говновозки

Legend

4 or 5 eughgggg

Lovely to find where 'preacher' came from, as sung in Heart of Darkness. Charming

This album is so great - between the project's construction/track listing and beautiful storytelling/writing, it has such a cinematic or literary quality to it. Strikes a great balance between the 'outlaw' style of country that Willie was so integral in developing, and very tender lyricism. I think just as a tribute to the way that the album creates atmosphere it is deserving of 5 stars - its a truly complete body of work as opposed to just a collection of songs.

This is the kind of country that I actually love. It's rare, and there are only a few artists who can pull it off, but it's amazing when they can.

Every now and then I would forget what time it was and then, thankfully, Willie would remind like ten times me that it was the time of the preacher. This is such classic western thematically: a man was scorned by a lover and now he just kills people without consequence, because he is sad and mysterious.

It's Willie Nelson. All that needs to be said.

Very sleepy album. Relaxing but also boring. I really don't understand why Willie Nelson is famous.

Quite lovely honestly. Classic country is a genre that I’ve barely listened to over my life, but I see the appeal here. Simple yet soulful and sorrowful. Makes me want to sit on a rocking chair on a front porch on an August summer night and ponder

Although not my preferred genre this is an absolute classic. Willie has a voice like no other.

I’m excited to say I know nothing of these songs or this album. I already like the opener. That was a really enjoyable album.

It is good and pleasant to listen to but probably not something I will return to. A weak 3 rating for this one.

At times, boring, at other times, a sensible country-folk album with some heart.

If you get album I am sorry

I'd forgotten what a young Willie sounds like.

6/10 Go Willie 2-18-2025

Someone hurt this man very badly. Appalachian breakup music designed to bring a tear to one's eye.

The single-concept theme is cool, but the songs are really sparse and somewhat repetitive. Willie had a lot more to say and better ways to say it.

The guy is a legend but didn’t get much from this album. Was shocked that this was his 18th album until reading that he just released his 153rd album.

It's a Willie Nelson album. You know what you're getting and it delivers it well.

It was ok for a country album. Maybe I don't dislike country as much as I thought?

WIllie's best. IMHO.

Didn't listen TOO intently (sorry, Willie), but man this made me feel some type of way. What a legend. Wish they still made country music like this. 4/5.

Living in Texas I feel like I should make more of an effort to listen to Willie Nelson. I wouldn't say he's bigger than Jesus here, but he is treated somewhat similarly (it's not unusual to see either's imagine on someone's wall). I liked the really relaxed tone of this album. It's the sort of music I'd love to listen to live in the background, sat outside with a cold beer in my hand. His voice is great, but there's nothing that really caught my attention, or informed me why this album was chosen over his 101 (literally!!!) other studio albums.

been meaning to listen to this. Glad I did. Highlights include: “Blue Rock Montana / Red Headed Stranger” “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” “Denver” “Can I Sleep In Your Arms” “Hands on the Wheel”. Wish it was longer!

This has a very peaceful, folksy vibe. I liked listening while doing my homework.

love it, kind of feels like a country twinged lullaby, like Willie is singing me to sleep while I look up at the stars. Weird to say this about one of the most acclaimed country artists of all time but he doesn’t get enough credit for his beautiful voice

I have a soft spot for old school outlaw country, and this is no exception. With simple production and instrumentation, aided from Nelson’s great voice, this is a landmark album in a subgenre of a genre that many of us, myself included, often dismiss.

it was the tiiiiimmme of preacher time of the preacher- 7 or 8 i couch believe it was true- 6 blue rock Montana- 6 blue eyes crying in the rain- 6 red headed stranger- 7 just as I am- 6 denver- 5 boooooo denver mention over the waves- 5 or 6 down yonder- 7 can i sleep in your arms- 5 remember me- 6 hands on the wheel- 5 bandera- 6 it was okay. it's funny how many times the time of preacher played

Even though it isn't a style of music that has an emotional affect on me, I quite liked the album. The simple and timeless instrumentation that allows his voice to shine. I would definitely listen again.

willie

One of the more interesting albums I've listened to. A real piece of art

Nice country

Not my first choice of genre but still some pretty good country songs. I don't think I'm in a rush to go back and listen to the whole thing but still a decent collection of music that's a pleasant listen.

я как человек больше слушающий музыку чем слова не могу полноценно восхититься, но Уилли приятно поёт, молодец

Good voice, no exceptional good songs for me

It was a cool concept album, I enjoyed the storytelling and imagery he used in it, some of the songs were a little short for my taste however. Favorite Tracks: Time of the Preacher, and Red Headed Stranger

Holy shit every song sounds the same. The instrumentals are sparse and there’s not enough in Nelson’s lyrics or delivery to keep it interesting. Down yonder is the only song that grabs you. There are a few moments here and there, like Bandera but overall a boring listen.

Me quiere gustar más de lo que ne gusta realmente creo. Esta guay eh, pero todas las canciones son iguales, es super predecible la movida