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Willie Nelson - Phases and Stages Audio CD

A fair review of the Willie Nelson "Phases and Stages" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Willie Nelson reviews here, or go back to the Willie Nelson tabs.

Willie Nelson Band: Willie Nelson
Title: Phases and Stages
Rating:
Release Date: 2008-04-29
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Phases and Stages (Theme)/Washing the Dishes 2: Phases and Stages (Theme)/Walkin' 3: Pretend I Never Happened 4: Sister's Coming Home/Down at the Corner Beer Joint 5: (How Will I Know) I'm Falling in Love Again 6: Bloody Mary Morning 7: Phases and Stages (Theme)/No Love Around 8: I Still Can't Believe You're Gone 9: It's Not Supposed to Be That Way 10: Heaven and Hell 11: Phases and Stages (Theme)/Pick Up the Tempo/Phases and Stages (Theme)

Phases And Stages Of Willie Nelson..
All songs on Phases And Stages are composed by Willie Nelson,each song describes a man and a woman's rocky relationship,the first half of the album is the woman's view,the second half is the man's side of the story,as Willie tells it,from the woman - "Washing The Dishes","Walkin'","Pretend I Never Happened","Sisters Coming Home"/"Down At The Corner Beer Joint","(How Will I Know)I'm Falling In Love Again", from the man - "Bloody Mary Morning","No Love Around","I Still Can't Believe You're Gone","It's Not Supposed To Be That Way","Heaven And Hell","Pick Up The Tempo",no surprise "Heaven And Hell" is on the man's side. Willie Nelson's Phases And Stages,recorded in Muscle Shoals,Alabama 1974,his second and last recording for Atlantic, the first album is the 1973,Shotgun Willie. With the start of the opening theme "Phases And Stages" this recording never lets up until the end(the theme),- backed by Johnny Gimble on fiddle,Barry Beckett on piano and featuring some of the finest steel guitar you'll ever hear from John Hughey. Willie is in top form,vocals,songwriting,guitar, one of the troubadour's finer recordings - next came the Red Headed Stranger,let's not forget Shotgun Willie. Atlantic flashback cd at a cheap reasonable price,excellent audio.


Quite Possibly Willie's Best
The story chronicles the aftermath of a broken relationship, and is told, first, from the woman's point of view, followed by the man's perspective. 'Phases and Stages' is less a concept album than a novel set to music. Willie succeeds brilliantly in telling a good story while preserving his integrity as a country musician. I can think of few other instances when words and music have been woven together so seamlessly.

This should come as no surprise; Willie's uncanny songwriting ability was evident even in early hits like "Hello Walls. " But it is difficult to deny that he may have hit a poetic high point on 'Phases and Stages. ' Describing the woman's frame of mind in "Walkin'": "If guilt is the question, truth is the answer: I've been lyin' to me all along. " The man, realizing he no longer wields influence over the woman, in "It's Not Supposed to Be That Way": "Like the other little children, you're gonna dream a dream or two--but be careful what you're dreamin', soon your dreams will be dreamin' you. "

Fans of Willie's musicianship will appreciate the range of sounds he creates on 'Phases and Stages': the stripped-down solo guitar interludes, the ease with which his well-worn band runs through the country groove of "Bloody Mary Morning" and "Sister's Coming Home," and even more lushly orchestrated moments like "I Still Can't Believe You're Gone. " This is the complete package.

If it were possible to give this album six stars, I'd do so without reservation. 'Phases and Stages' is a gem. You'll appreciate it the first umpteen times you play it, and then you'll come back to it months later and become infatuated all over again. Most musicians and writers would trade their careers for the creative genius Willie finds in 'Phases and Stages. ' .


Gift
I bought this as a gift for my father-in-law as he is fairly interested in the early years of Willie Nelson and he loves the CD!!.


Willie Nelson...The Storyteller.
It's a choice between this and Red Headed Stranger, depending on my mood. I think this is my favorite album of Willie's.
The album is just beautiful. A story of heartbreak,regret,loss,love. . . of being a human being.
Each song weaves into the next fluidly.
Willie picks,plucks and strums his guitar like it's an extension of his arms. Great playing by the band steel guitar,fiddle,piano,drums all right there with Willie. For those who don't take to C&W music. Give it a listen, you may be pleasantly surprised.
This is the kind of music that makes you think back and reflect on one's life.
This is music from a man rooted in the earth. Rich,true and genuine. A man who's been there, done it and lived to tell the story.
And hey. . . it's also Merle Haggard's favorite album of Willie's. So that should tell you something. If you don't want my advice than take Merle's. I think you'll be glad you did.


One of Willie's best efforts. Simply amazing!
Even his compilations have meaning. Willie Nelson's records have so much meaning to them. I rarely see a bad Willie collection. But, his record 'Phases and Stages' is probably one of the best.

Released on Atlantic way back in 1974, the record evolves around Willie's crumbling marriage. There is something about this record that just is really charming. I don't know what it is, but it's one of my favorites.

I like the opening song, 'Washing The Dishes' a whole lot. It's got powerful country vocals as only Willie can sing.

The real highlight for me is either 'Bloody Mary Morning' or 'No Love Around. ' This is sort of the pre-'Red Headed Stranger' record. This and 'Shotgun Willie' were among the few releases he made for the Atlantic label. He swapped labels a year later and cut 'Red Headed Stranger' that same year, 1975.

This will take you back awhile. It's like a trip down memory lane. Highly recommended. Truly one of his best records.


You can see a complete list of all Willie Nelson discography, or go back to the Willie Nelson tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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