Shotgun Willie in Bloomington, MN

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
Bob Wills
, provides context for his originals, with
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"
).
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"
"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