*Phases and Stages*! Lots of important country standards are featured on this album (e.g., *Pick Up the Tempo*), plus some lesser known but great songs (e.g., *Sister’s Coming Home / Down at the Corner Beer Joint*). It’s hard to believe that Willie was able to follow up *Shotgun Willie* with this great album.
For me, honorable mention goes to both *Spirit* and *Teatro*. Personally, I think these two albums marked a major resurgence of Willie and proved that, in any era, at any age, his music can be timeless and enjoyed by any generation. I’m especially fond *Spirit*, because its stripped down sound is reminiscent of *Redheaded Stranger*.
I've been loving Willie since childhood. My dad took me to see him in '78, '79. My favorite album changes from time to time. These days, it's either Yesterday's Wine or Willie and Family Live.
I’m so jealous that you saw Willie in the 1970s. I wasn’t even alive then haha. But my wife and I have seen him about 6 times over the last 10 years or so. He’s such an important American figure and musician. He’s the best.
Red Headed Stranger is my favorite. It feels like swinging in a hammock under a shady tree.
Pretty Papers is a close, seasonal, second for the holiday.
I’m not sure of the reaction I will get but mine might be Stardust. As great of a country artist Willie is, I honestly think he was at his best doing jazzy sounding music. I loved several years ago when he did a concert with Winton Marsalis and Norah Jones. The album he did covering Frank Sinatra seemed so effortless and in his wheel house.
IRS tapes is my absolute favorite. Just the man and his guitar. You can hear it in his voice that he’s at the bottom yet still able to record a fantastic album. The way he and Trigger are able to portray his mindset at that low moment in his life… I don’t know of many other musicians would be able to pull that off. My runner up favorite is Willie and Family Live 78
I really believe his last decade of albums has been just as good as his biggest albums of the 70s. I loved that recent cover album "Don't Know A Thing About Love" a lot.
I think my top two albums are Phases and Stages & God's Problem Child.
Odd choice, but Good Times. I grew up around people who would just pick and sing slower songs on the porch by the creek, so that vibe is perfect for me. All of them have that “living room in the evening around friends and a fire” feel to me, and I love to pick along to the whole album.
Everyone has mentioned the great albums but I want to note three that are personally important to me. Tougher than Leather, a great concept album beautifully recorded.
Me and Paul, the first “new” album I bought. It’s got great songs on it.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow is kind of a more casual Stardust. I listened to this so much as a kid
I’m still feeling that my favorite Willie album is “Country Willie: His Own Songs” I bought a sealed copy at a record swap meet in the early 80’s and I’ve loved it ever since.
I think every record he put out in the 1970s is brilliant, 10/10. I haven’t spent much time with his earlier or later output, except for Teatro, Spirit, and the one that Ryan Adams produced. I’m so glad I saw him perform at least once.
Shotgun Willie is
Indeed.
*Phases and Stages*! Lots of important country standards are featured on this album (e.g., *Pick Up the Tempo*), plus some lesser known but great songs (e.g., *Sister’s Coming Home / Down at the Corner Beer Joint*). It’s hard to believe that Willie was able to follow up *Shotgun Willie* with this great album. For me, honorable mention goes to both *Spirit* and *Teatro*. Personally, I think these two albums marked a major resurgence of Willie and proved that, in any era, at any age, his music can be timeless and enjoyed by any generation. I’m especially fond *Spirit*, because its stripped down sound is reminiscent of *Redheaded Stranger*.
Teatro and Spirit are both phenomenal!
I've been loving Willie since childhood. My dad took me to see him in '78, '79. My favorite album changes from time to time. These days, it's either Yesterday's Wine or Willie and Family Live.
I’m so jealous that you saw Willie in the 1970s. I wasn’t even alive then haha. But my wife and I have seen him about 6 times over the last 10 years or so. He’s such an important American figure and musician. He’s the best.
Red Headed Stranger is my favorite. It feels like swinging in a hammock under a shady tree. Pretty Papers is a close, seasonal, second for the holiday.
I’m not sure of the reaction I will get but mine might be Stardust. As great of a country artist Willie is, I honestly think he was at his best doing jazzy sounding music. I loved several years ago when he did a concert with Winton Marsalis and Norah Jones. The album he did covering Frank Sinatra seemed so effortless and in his wheel house.
You know about his instrumental jazz album Night and Day? He won a jazz Grammy for that.
thanks, didn't know that!
Damn good album. I love his renditions of Georgia on My Mind, and Unchained Melody
Red Headed Stranger
Phases and Stages. Perfect country album.
1974 phases and stages!
Red Headed Stranger. Perfect album.
IRS tapes is my absolute favorite. Just the man and his guitar. You can hear it in his voice that he’s at the bottom yet still able to record a fantastic album. The way he and Trigger are able to portray his mindset at that low moment in his life… I don’t know of many other musicians would be able to pull that off. My runner up favorite is Willie and Family Live 78
I really believe his last decade of albums has been just as good as his biggest albums of the 70s. I loved that recent cover album "Don't Know A Thing About Love" a lot. I think my top two albums are Phases and Stages & God's Problem Child.
Top five Willie: Red Headed Stranger, Teatro, Shotgun Willie, The Sound in Your Mind, Across the Borderline.
Stardust! Quad-Planimum for 10 years!
Spirit and Red Headed Stranger
Odd choice, but Good Times. I grew up around people who would just pick and sing slower songs on the porch by the creek, so that vibe is perfect for me. All of them have that “living room in the evening around friends and a fire” feel to me, and I love to pick along to the whole album.
Everyone has mentioned the great albums but I want to note three that are personally important to me. Tougher than Leather, a great concept album beautifully recorded. Me and Paul, the first “new” album I bought. It’s got great songs on it. Somewhere Over the Rainbow is kind of a more casual Stardust. I listened to this so much as a kid
To Lefty from Willie. So many great songs.
This is a great one. Glad to see it here. It's one of my Willie favorites.
I fucking love Stardust
I’m still feeling that my favorite Willie album is “Country Willie: His Own Songs” I bought a sealed copy at a record swap meet in the early 80’s and I’ve loved it ever since.
Across the Borderline was my introduction to Willie Nelson, so it will always hold a special place in my heart
I think every record he put out in the 1970s is brilliant, 10/10. I haven’t spent much time with his earlier or later output, except for Teatro, Spirit, and the one that Ryan Adams produced. I’m so glad I saw him perform at least once.
Bro you need to listen to some of his older stuff from the 60s, it’s actually not bad you just have to do some digging through YouTube.
Teatro! Amazing production, Emmylou is always a great addition, and Willie’s guitar playing is so Django influenced and expansive
Stardust