Country Willie: His Own Songs

Amazon.com
Willie Nelson's 1965 RCA debut is simple but not raw, elegant but not fragile, sophisticated but not pretentious. The 12 originals within--many of which had already been taken up the charts by other artists--are testament to his uncanny ability as a songwriter to blend refreshing innocence and hard-earned wisdom. His distinctive phrasing was taking shape, and the pared-down, tasteful arrangements focus attention squarely upon his vocals. The result is an album that's not for dancers at the local honky-tonk, but for the bartender sweeping up alone at night's end. It's what Countrypolitan could have been because its beauty transcends hardcore country; it is simply American popular music at its most appealing. --Marc Greilsamer

Tracks:

One Day At A Time
My Own Peculiar Way
Night Life
Funny How Time Slips Away
Healing Hands Of Time
Darkness On The Face Of The Earth
Hello Walls
Are You Sure
Mr. Record Man
It Should Be Easier Now
So Much To Do
Within Your Crowd

Amazon.com

Willie Nelson's 1965 RCA debut is simple but not raw, elegant but not fragile, sophisticated but not pretentious. The 12 originals within--many of which had already been taken up the charts by other artists--are testament to his uncanny ability as a songwriter to blend refreshing innocence and hard-earned wisdom. His distinctive phrasing was taking shape, and the pared-down, tasteful arrangements focus attention squarely upon his vocals. The result is an album that's not for dancers at the local honky-tonk, but for the bartender sweeping up alone at night's end. It's what Countrypolitan could have been because its beauty transcends hardcore country; it is simply American popular music at its most appealing. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

This record is fantastic.......2002-06-30

... Fragile and beautiful-No Honky Tonk stuff. Not quite what Willie's style became but more in the vein of Ray Price and maybe even alittle Jim Reeves style in there. An understated but skillful Guitar, and voice, but so low and gentle and easy. It is simple in its make-up but so well composed that the simplicity adds the dimension to the great writing and eloquent playing. I love Honky Tonk but I really can enjoy this for what it is. It is only about 28 minutes long but if I hadn't checked that while I cross-taped it, I wouldn't even have thought of it I don't think. This is just great and full of feeling. Willie was great then and has been great always as far as I'm concerned. Please give this soothing smooth record a chance, I think anybody could appreciate this-country or not.

An essential Willie Nelson recording.......1999-12-28

If you can't afford the great box set "Nashville Was the Roughest..." then this beautifully produced reissue from 1965 is the next-best stopping place to learn about Willie. Recorded in 1965, Willie apparently took over the producing helm after Chet Atkins had tried every other gimmick to bring his unique talents to success; brought in people like Jerry Kennedy and Jerry Reed for back-up, stripped down the sound and recut definitive versions of previous songs and made a masterpiece years ahead of it's time. Buy it (you can't beat the price); recordings like these are why Willie's musical reputation is where it is today.

Music Album:

Music Album