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Transferring his allegiance to Atlantic (where he would record two remarkable albums that would get him kicked off the label), Willie Nelson offered his finest record to date for his debut -- possibly his finest album ever. Shotgun Willie encapsulates Willie's world view and music, finding him at a peak as a composer, interpreter, and performer. This is laid-back, deceptively complex music, equal parts country, rock attitude, jazz musicianship, and troubadour storytelling. Nelson blurs the lines between his own tunes and covers to the point that "Whiskey River," this record's best-known song, seems thoroughly original, yet it was written by Johnny Bush and Paul Stroud. This, along with two songs apiece by Leon Russell and Bob Wills, provides context for his originals, with Shotgun Willie becoming a musical autobiography, offering not only insights into his musicality (witness how he slows down "Stay All Night [Stay a Little Longer]" to a slow shuffle) but, seemingly, into himself (most notably on the title track and the wonderful, funny travelogue "Devil in a Sleepin' Bag"). Nelson wasn't just at a peak of performing here -- he also wrote some of his greatest songs, highlighted not just by the previously mentioned tunes but also by the lovely slow waltz "Slow Down Old World" and "Sad Songs and Waltzes." All of it adds up to possibly the finest record in a career filled with hits and highlights.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Willie Nelson, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Wayne Jackson, Trumpet - Arif Mardin, Producer - Andrew Love, Tenor Saxophone - James Mitchel, Saxophone - Jack Hale, Trombone - Dan Spears, Bass Guitar - James Clayton Day, Contributor - Bobby Nelson, Piano - Jeff Gutcheon, Electric Piano
© 1973 Atlantic Records ℗ 1973 Atlantic Records
Willie Nelson, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist - Larry Gatlin, Backing Vocals - Paul Stroud, Composer, Writer - Johnny Bush, Composer, Writer - Steve Burgh, Acoustic Guitar - Dee Moeller, Backing Vocals - Arif Mardin, Producer - Hugh McDonald, Bass Guitar - Dan Spears, Bass Guitar - James Clayton Day, Contributor - Steve Mosley, Drums
© 1973 Atlantic Records ℗ 1973 Atlantic Records
Willie Nelson, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Arif Mardin, Producer - Dan Spears, Bass Guitar - James Clayton Day, Contributor - Bobby Nelson, Piano - Jeff Gutcheon, Electric Piano - Paul English, Drums
© 1973 Atlantic Records ℗ 1973 Atlantic Records
Willie Nelson, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Arif Mardin, Producer - Dan Spears, Bass Guitar - James Clayton Day, Contributor - Bobby Nelson, Piano - Jeff Gutcheon, Electric Piano - Paul English, Drums
© 1973 Atlantic Records ℗ 1973 Atlantic Records
Willie Nelson, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Steve Burgh, Acoustic Guitar - Arif Mardin, Producer - Nelson, Composer - Dan Spears, Bass Guitar - James Clayton Day, Contributor - Bobby Nelson, Piano - Jeff Gutcheon, Electric Piano - Paul English, Drums
© 1973 Atlantic Records ℗ 1973 Atlantic Records
Willie Nelson, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist - Larry Gatlin, Backing Vocals - Steve Burgh, Acoustic Guitar - Dee Moeller, Backing Vocals - Arif Mardin, Producer - Waylon Jennings, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals - Hugh McDonald, Bass Guitar - Dan Spears, Bass Guitar - James Clayton Day, Contributor - Steve Mosley, Drums - Wills Bob, Writer - Tommy Duncan, Writer - Bob Willis, Writer
© 1973 Atlantic Records ℗ 1973 Atlantic Records
Willie Nelson, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Larry Gatlin, Backing Vocals - Steve Burgh, Acoustic Guitar - Dee Moeller, Backing Vocals - Arif Mardin, Producer - Hugh McDonald, Bass Guitar - Dan Spears, Bass Guitar - James Clayton Day, Contributor - Steve Mosley, Drums
© 1973 Atlantic Records ℗ 1973 Atlantic Records
Willie Nelson, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Larry Gatlin, Acoustic Guitar - Arif Mardin, Producer - James Clayton Day, Contributor - Bobby Nelson, Piano - Jeff Gutcheon, Electric Piano - Paul English, Drums
© 1973 Atlantic Records ℗ 1973 Atlantic Records
Red Lane, Acoustic Guitar - Willie Nelson, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist - Jerry Wexler, Producer - Johnny Gimble, Violin - Arif Mardin, Producer - Cindy Walker, Writer - James Clayton Day, Pedal Steel Guitar - Augie Meyer', Piano - Jack Barber, Bass Guitar - Tommy Duncan, Writer - Bob Willis, Writer - George Raines, Drums
© 1973 Atlantic Records ℗ 1973 Atlantic Records
Willie Nelson, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist - Arif Mardin, Producer - Leon Russell, Writer - Dan Spears, Bass Guitar - James Clayton Day, Pedal Steel Guitar - Bobbie Nelson, Piano - Paul English, Drums
© 1973 Atlantic Records ℗ 1973 Atlantic Records
Willie Nelson, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Arif Mardin, Producer - Dan Spears, Bass Guitar - James Clayton Day, Contributor - Bobby Nelson, Piano - Jeff Gutcheon, Electric Piano - Paul English, Drums
© 1973 Atlantic Records ℗ 1973 Atlantic Records
Willie Nelson, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist - Arif Mardin, Producer - Leon Russell, Writer
© 1973 Atlantic Records ℗ 1973 Atlantic Records
Album review
Transferring his allegiance to Atlantic (where he would record two remarkable albums that would get him kicked off the label), Willie Nelson offered his finest record to date for his debut -- possibly his finest album ever. Shotgun Willie encapsulates Willie's world view and music, finding him at a peak as a composer, interpreter, and performer. This is laid-back, deceptively complex music, equal parts country, rock attitude, jazz musicianship, and troubadour storytelling. Nelson blurs the lines between his own tunes and covers to the point that "Whiskey River," this record's best-known song, seems thoroughly original, yet it was written by Johnny Bush and Paul Stroud. This, along with two songs apiece by Leon Russell and Bob Wills, provides context for his originals, with Shotgun Willie becoming a musical autobiography, offering not only insights into his musicality (witness how he slows down "Stay All Night [Stay a Little Longer]" to a slow shuffle) but, seemingly, into himself (most notably on the title track and the wonderful, funny travelogue "Devil in a Sleepin' Bag"). Nelson wasn't just at a peak of performing here -- he also wrote some of his greatest songs, highlighted not just by the previously mentioned tunes but also by the lovely slow waltz "Slow Down Old World" and "Sad Songs and Waltzes." All of it adds up to possibly the finest record in a career filled with hits and highlights.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 12 track(s)
- Total length: 00:36:58
- Main artists: Willie Nelson
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Rhino Atlantic
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 1973 Atlantic Records ℗ 1973 Atlantic Records. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
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