Nelson, Willie "Red Headed Stranger"

Willie Nelson's 1975 concept album, with its mystic and religious overtones, broke all of the traditional rules of country music and helped establish Austin, Texas, as ground zero of the "Outlaw" movement! Nelson's self-financed, surprise double-platinum smash helped him reach by far his largest audience and yielded the #1 country single (and Top 20 pop hit) Blues Eyes Crying in the Rain.

Willie Nelson has been part of our collective consciousness far longer than his legendary status as a performer. Long before the formally pony-tailed master of song was singing “Stardust”, “Always On My Mind”, and “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” (none of which he wrote) Nelson was a master lyricist for some of country music’s greatest stars. Among the hits he wrote are Patsy Cline’s “Crazy,” Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Paper” and the autobiographical “Night Life” for Ray Price.

Following the brilliant Phases And Stages Willie’s debut for Columbia is a brilliant concept album (nearly unheard of in country music) based around the song and story of the “Red Headed Stranger.” Although the song had been previously recorded by Eddy Arnold, it was Willie who would take the song to a much higher level by putting together an entire cycle of songs based around the tragic story of the Red Headed Stranger. Nelson’s album is a stunning mix of original and classic songs. Among the highlights are his heart-felt interpretations of “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain,” “Time Of The Preacher” and “Can I Sleep In Your Arms” by the prolific song writer Hank Cochran.

Red Headed Stranger also features Willie’s Family, his band, featuring his sister Bobbie (piano), Jody Payne (guitar, mandolin), the impeccable harmonica of Mickey Raphael, and the ever flawless Billy English on drums.