Willie Nelson - Spirit

As with Willie Nelson's '70s Atlantic breakthroughs, the self-written and self-produced collection is something of a concept album, though its not driven by as strong a narrative as Phases & Stages and Red-Headed Stranger. This is simple declarative account of a man abandoned by the great love of his life. He reflects upon his loss, expresses his fears and desires, and searches the heavens for solace. He finds some and gives thanks. The band (Nelson backed by fiddle, piano, and second guitar) plays a wistful waltz and life goes on, though the end is in sight. The Willie of Red-Headed Stranger was wild and dangerous when he was hurt; the Willie of Spirit is reflective and contrite. Still, Spirit ranks with Red-Headed Stranger, one of the landmarks in modern country music history. --Steven Stolder Amazon.com essential recording

Willie's Favorite

Willie has stated that this is his favorite release in his history and he's pretty near right by my estimation. This is one of my top three favorite Willie releases. January 17, 2008

classic by a classic

Ive been a fan of willies for years, he has a particularly warm voice, a unique way of phrasing his words, hes sophisticated and a rebel, an artist, clever and sensitive.There are too many mediocre compilations around, but this is one of his absolute best, Ive played it umpteen times and continue to enjoy it as much as the first time I listened to it.A must! November 3, 2007

Timeless acoustical guitar on this WN concept album

Willie Nelson's discography spans several decades with a variety of favorites that range in different styles and direction. With the 1996 release of "Spirit", Willie gets back to what I think he does best, and that is simply telling a story. What sets this CD apart from so many other of his releases is that it is in fact, all acoustic and does not jump into the team play style of co-contributors that many of his albums had done up to this point.

If you like the sound of "Spanish Guitar" you can't go wrong with this CD. The vocals are clearer and in my own opinion this CD does in fact rival everyone's seeming favorite "Red Headed Stranger". It is a concept album that portrays a story but does not, in fact, have every song be about some guy who lost his dog and his wife on the same day. The fact is that Willie Nelson's music never really was about that; it was about people and their feelings, experiences and journeys in life. Sure, the subject here is about a man whose wife abandons him, but the lyrics and tones that emit throughout these songs are not sorrowful dronings of self pity, but instead reflections of past experiences up to that point and how they affected him. In closing, Spirit is a true keeper from the Willie Nelson discography, and is also a mainstay for country western fans who want their music to be sandy with the Southwestern breezes as opposed to strict, pop accessible tunes that cloud the radio today.
August 1, 2007

This old coot still has the stuff

I just love this album. It is Willie at his most melodic and poetic. Gentle songs, quiet songs, a wonderful instrumental. It is the best album that I have heard in a long time. I have bought two of them and I first heard of it when my daughter who is a music critic (Portland Press Herald) gave me this to listen to . Willie's personal life has overshadowed some of his professional life sometimes so I was astounded to read that these are his music. Get it.
May 16, 2007

Willie Country Guitar

Plenty of Willie's signature guitar in this one. One of my favorites for that alone but then the lyrics are stirring as well. October 18, 2006

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