Disco de Willie Nelson: “Always On My Mind”

Willie Nelson recorded this album during the early eighties... 1982. During that time Poppy, disco type of music was all the rage. And country was being influenced by that turn in taste.

Think of Dolly Parton's 9 to 5.

Well, Willie... the consummate outlaw recorded this album in the face of all that was going on. He was not afraid to try that style of music but did not compromise his country roots. This album has a Pop feel to it... but is unmistakably country.

The title track is a Nelson classic. It was the song of the year in 1982 and 1983 for the Country Music Association awards. I can remember how this tune dominated both country radio and pop radio when I was a kid. There is no doubt it struck a chord with all types of people. Willie's choice of this song was inspired genius.

It was originally an Elvis tune. He recorded it as a lament to his wife Pricilla. And he always thought it was too personal for anyone else to hear. Willie turns it into an anthem of regret, but with a glimmer of hope. His vocals are powerful and heartfelt as always.

This particular album is filled with a wide array of material. The Aretha Franklin hit, "Do right woman, Do right man."

The Simon and Garfunkle standard, "Bridge over Troubled Water."

The Everly Brothers, "Let it Be Me."

And some great Willie originals like, "The Party's Over." And, "The Last Thing I Needed, First Thing this Morning."

Willie Nelson is a true original... when he sings a song there is no mistaking him.

This is a very underrated album. I have enjoyed it quite a bit so far... give it a try. I bet you will too. :-)

It is great to see this album re-mastered, now with two extra tracks (The man who owns everyone, I'm a memory). My review is based on the original album - however, my experience of other re-masters (including Willie's Stardust album) is that the sound quality will be better and the new tracks are likely to be of a high quality.

The title track was written for Elvis Presley to record, though Brenda Lee recorded it first - about six months before Elvis. Exactly why Willie chose to record this particular song is a mystery to me, but he certainly made a good choice. It became one of his trademark recordings, becoming a huge American pop hit for him. Sadly, this success was not repeated in the UK, where the version by the Pet Shop Boys went all the way to number one. Nevertheless, Willie's version helped to establish his fan base in the UK.

Aside from the title track, there are covers of songs made famous by Aretha Franklin (Do right woman), Procol Harum (Whiter shade of pale - with Waylon), Everly brothers (Let it be me) and Simon and Garfunkel (Bridge over troubled water).

Willie wrote some of the other songs though in some cases they are re-recordings - Permanently lonely and The party's over both date back to the sixties, when Willie recorded them for RCA. I believe Old fords and a natural stone and Last thing I needed first thing this morning were new for this album. I'm not sure about Staring each other down.

So, when this album was released, very few of the songs were new but several were obscure and all were transformed by Willie, whose covers never sound like the originals or any other versions.

This is one of Willie's best original albums.

I'm not a big Willie Nelson fan and bought this CD for "Always on my mind". Well I totally fell in love with this CD! I play it all the time. I really never notice what a wonderful voice he has. Now I am a fan and glad I did buy it.

We happend to like old Willie so that is about it. He has is own style and no one does it better. He has been around for a long time and will have a fallowing.

This is Willie Nelson at his best. He gives great performances, rendering his songs with a strong heart. The music is right on the mark.