Few artists in the history of modern music have as extensive and influential of a songbook as Willie Nelson. The beloved performer, guitarist, songwriter, and activist has released 74 studio albums during his decades-long career. That mind-boggling number doesn’t even include his collaborative records, one-off projects, or live albums.
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[RELATED: 6 Songs That Define Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Country Spirit]
Although narrowing down the most essential or important albums of his career is nearly impossible, we’ve selected five albums that help relay the versatility and depth of Willie Nelson’s incredible creative talents.
1. Stardust
Released in 1978, Nelson’s 22nd studio album Stardust features ten stellar takes on some of music’s most beloved pop standards. Produced by Booker T. Jones, the project was one of the country legend’s first major shifts away from the “outlaw country” sound that he became known for during the decade. Many of the cover songs on Stardust, including “Georgia on My Mind,” have become trademark tracks often featured in his live performances.
2. Red Headed Stranger
One of the best concept albums in country music history, Red Headed Stranger became an instant hit upon its release in 1975. The record inspired a movie of the same name released the following year, which starred Nelson as the lyrical story’s main character, Julian Shay. Although many tracks are brief interludes and medleys that help keep the story moving forward, Red Headed Stranger includes classic tracks like Nelson’s rendition of “Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain.”
3. Shotgun Willie
Although it’s often cited as one of the first albums to help usher in the new “outlaw country” sub-genre, Shotgun Willie was not one of Nelson’s most prominent commercial successes. The rollicking, organic yet polished project includes the stellar title track and the anthemic “Whiskey River.”
4. Phases and Stages
In 1973, Nelson headed to Muscle Shoals Sound Studios to record his stellar seventeenth album, Phases and Stages. The project serves as another concept album of sorts, focused on the theme of divorce. The first five tracks tell the experience from the woman’s perspective, while the final five songs share the man’s side of the story. The project, which includes the acclaimed track “Bloody Mary Morning,” spotlights Nelson’s focused sense of artistry.
5. God’s Problem Child
Although most of the albums on this list are from the 1970s, the final addition transports listeners through the decades, arriving at a pivotal reflective moment for Nelson. Released in 2017, God’s Problem Child is a powerful, captivating collection of songs that reference his experiences and friendships through the years.
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