Shotgun Willie

• Artist: Willie Nelson
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1973
• Total Time: 36:16
• Genre: Country

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, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Shotgun Willie (Lyrics)	Willie Nelson	Willie Nelson	(2:40)
Whiskey River (Lyrics)	Johnny Bush, Paul Stroud	Willie Nelson	(4:05)
Sad Songs and Waltzes (Lyrics)	Willie Nelson	Willie Nelson	(3:08)
Local Memory (Lyrics)	Willie Nelson	Willie Nelson	(2:19)
Slow Down Old World (Lyrics)	Willie Nelson	Willie Nelson	(2:54)
Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer)	Tommy Duncan, Bob Wills	Willie Nelson	(2:36)
Devil in a Sleepin' Bag (Lyrics)	Willie Nelson	Willie Nelson	(2:40)
She's Not for You (Lyrics)	Willie Nelson	Willie Nelson	(3:15)
Bubbles in My Beer (Lyrics)	Cindy Walker, Tommy Duncan, Bob Wills	Willie Nelson	(2:34)
You Look Like the Devil	Leon Russell	Willie Nelson	(3:26)
So Much to Do (Lyrics)	Willie Nelson	Willie Nelson	(3:11)
A Song for You	Leon Russell	Willie Nelson	(4:20)

Credits

Paul English (Drums), Willie Nelson (Guitar (Acoustic)), Dan Spears (Bass), Jerry Wexler (Producer), Steve Mosley (Drums), Steve Burgh (Guitar (Acoustic)), Jimmy Day (Vocals (Background)), Doug Sahm (Vocals (Background)), Waylon Jennings (Vocals (Background)), Johnny Gimble (Fiddle), Augie Meyers (Guitar (Acoustic)), Waylon Jennings (Guitar (Acoustic)), Jimmy Day (Pedal Steel), James J. Mitchell (Sax (Baritone)), Jimmy Day (Dobro), Wayne Jackson (Trumpet), Hugh McDonald (Bass), Andrew Love (Sax (Tenor)), Waylon Jennings (Soloist), David Bromberg (Guitar (Electric)), Bobbie Nelson (Piano), Willie Nelson (Vocals), Red Lane (Guitar (Acoustic)), Steve Mosley (Drums (Snare)), Jeff Gutcheon (Organ), James Mitchell (Sax (Baritone)), Augie Meyers (Piano), David Gahr (Photography), Stan Hutto (Engineer), Arif Mardin (Producer), Willie Bridges (Sax (Baritone)), Willie Nelson (Guitar), David Briggs (Producer), Doug Sahm (Guitar (Electric)), Red Lane (Guitar), Dee Moeller (Vocals (Background)), Donny Hathaway (String Arrangements), Steve Burgh (Guitar (Electric)), George Rains (Drums), Steve Ham (Engineer), Arif Mardin (String Arrangements), Larry Gatlin (Vocals (Background)), Knox Phillips (Engineer), Gene Paul (Engineer), Larry Gatlin (Guitar (Acoustic)), Jack Barber (Bass), Jack Hale (Trombone), Jeff Gutcheon (Piano (Electric)), Augie Meyers (Guitar), Waylon Jennings (Guitar)

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