Wille Nelson C/D, S&D

one of my favorite singers, Carla Bozulich, has long sung the praises of Willie's "Red Headed Stranger" album, and earlier this year, decided to tour and record her own cover of the entire album, which motivated me to finally check it out. and it's really something else...it was Willie's first album for Atlantic and his first big crossover hit, going triple platinum and "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain" reaching the top 40...which when you listen to it is pretty amazing. even in '75, in the wake of "Tommy" (dunno if Willie actually ever claimed it as an inspiration for RHH though), this is still a bizarre and wonderful narrative concept album about a preacher who murders his wife and finds redemption in new love. most of the songs are then-obscure covers that Willie wove into the storyline, which never quite comes together but still has some real emotional resonance and continuity(which was adapted into an apparently awful feature film in the 80's). on top of that it's an incredibly quiet and spare record where you're really forced to get up close and personal with Willie's voice, which let's face it we all know is an acquired taste.

anyway i'm rambling but i'd also like to add that Willie caught wind of Carla's version of the album, which she recorded in May, and last week he flew her out to Austin so that they could record 2 duets for her RHH, which is amazingly classy of him. and it proves that while he chills with Ryan Adams and Kid Rock to pay the bills and stay in the public eye, he still has an eye for talent and doesn't give a fuck if they're multiplatinum or not.

that said, I have very little idea what's good and bad about the rest of his catalog outside of Red Headed Stranger. but seriously, wonderful album.

So, Classic, as far as I can tell. It's a plus in my book that he's the dude who wrote "Crazy," dunno if there are folks not enamored with that tune.

S/D is a bit harder: he's made way too many albums. You're generally safe with the mid-period Columbia recordings (Stardust, Rainbow, Stranger, To Lefty, etc.) or some of the last albums he did for Atlantic. Stay away from the collaboration records (the ones with Webb Piece, Hank Snow, Roger Miller and the entire Half Nelson record): these are all great artists, but the records fall flat. (The one with Ray Price has its moments, however). I'm actually partial to his recent instrumental jazz record, but that may nor be to everyone's taste.

TMFTML
http://intonation.blogspot.com

For his early singer-songwriter period, I tend to prefer other's versions to his - like The Supreme's playing-against-type "Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away". Then for the seventies stuff, I dig both the roadhog honkytonk shit and the crooner stuff too. Tracer's right about "Stardust".
Don't know much beyond that.

Shotgun Willie - I My recollection from his 80s autobio was that this was released ahead of Red Headed Stranger and was his first major "crossover" hit (as opposed to the scads of hit singles he'd penned for other people). Contains several signature tunes including "Whiskey River" (Willie's standard show opener), "Bubbles in My Beer", and the title track. "The Devil Shivered in His Sleeping Bag" is pretty fucking funny too.
Red Headed Stranger - classic classic classic. I agree with the general sentiments Al expresses about this record above.
The Sound in Your Mind - a later period 70s record, with the entire 2nd side being a rather inventive medley. Has beautiful renditions of "Lazy Old Sun" and "Amazing Grace."
Bloody Merry Morning - the pressing I have of this is really odd (a picture of Willie sans beard on the cover!) but contains the title track, which is a favorite song of mine. Lots of Willie finger-picking his nylon-stringed acoustic on this.
The Troublemaker - all gospel. Gorgeous. The Kriss Kristofferson penned title track is great, beautifully understated parable positioning Jesus as a rabble-rousing hippie who won't get a job or join the army.
Stardust - Standards, by far his biggest hit. "Georgia on My Mind", etc.
I Gotta Get Drunk - live, great set. Title track is sweetly hilarious, band at full tilt boogie.

I have more, but those are the best. His 80s work and collaborations are kinda spotty.

Shotgun Willie - My recollection from his 80s autobio was that this was released ahead of Red Headed Stranger and was his first major "crossover" hit (as opposed to the scads of hit singles he'd penned for other people). Contains several signature tunes including "Whiskey River" (Willie's standard show opener), "Bubbles in My Beer", and the title track. "The Devil Shivered in His Sleeping Bag" is pretty fucking funny too.
Red Headed Stranger - classic classic classic. I agree with the general sentiments Al expresses about this record above.
The Sound in Your Mind - a later period 70s record, with the entire 2nd side being a rather inventive medley. Has beautiful renditions of "Lazy Old Sun" and "Amazing Grace."
Bloody Merry Morning - the pressing I have of this is really odd (a picture of Willie sans beard on the cover!) but contains the title track, which is a favorite song of mine. Lots of Willie finger-picking his nylon-stringed acoustic on this.
The Troublemaker - all gospel. Gorgeous. The Kriss Kristofferson penned title track is great, beautifully understated parable positioning Jesus as a rabble-rousing hippie who won't get a job or join the army.
Stardust - Standards, by far his biggest hit. "Georgia on My Mind", etc.
I Gotta Get Drunk - live, great set. Title track is sweetly hilarious, band at full tilt boogie.

I have more, but those are the best. His 80s work and collaborations are kinda spotty.

Columbia/Legacy is putting out a 2CD Essential Willie Nelson comp on March 11; that sounds like a good starting point if you wanna wait for it.

Not Chomsky, but straightforward sense. I know Willie is hardly typical, but I tend not to look to country music for that - I generally find its politics is something I prefer to ignore or treat ironically.

Might even get an album by him.

His work in the eighties was kind of spotty, but Spirit (1992) and Teatro (1998) are both excellent all the way through.

Also, if you ever see it, rent Songwriter (1985). It's a genuinely funny movie loosely based on Willie and Waylon's dealings with ex-wives, Nashville record execs and shady promoters starring Willie, Kristofferson, and Rip Torn.

Destroy: Milkcow Blues Boogie or whatever the name of the duet album from a couple of years ago was (also didn't care for the most recent album with all the all-star cameos, though I can't remember the title at all)

OT: hey Chris, The Reigning Sound are no more? That seems to be the buzz over on the Goner site. Sucks.

regardless, the way he sings "holdin' hands and kissin' everybody" always floors me.

In my 2017 country Spotify list, whenever a track from Willie’s “God’s Problem Child” album pops up it’s great enough to make me want to pick up the LP. Superb guitar playing and his voice still sounds fantastic. He’s not Al Green-smooth like he was back in the day, but his phrasing and emphasis and the irreplaceable Willie-ness are still on point.

he frequently pops up in my release radar (seems like an album a year) and it's always good

his phrasing and emphasis and the irreplaceable Willie-ness are still on point.

this is otm, both his playing and his vocals

this guy is so classic, always a joy when he pops up on my release radar - like he did today with the delightful call to democratic arms: "Vote 'Em Out"

https://open.spotify.com/track/1YX1kcNiWLk1GVYEDWsaNg

god bless 'im