
Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
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
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From 12.50€/month

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, 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 Description
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
-
24-Bit 192.0 kHz - Stereo
© 1973 Atlantic Records ℗ 1973 Atlantic Records. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.