1.) Time Of The Preacher
You can literally hear Nashville change right in those first few chords, plunked out on piano and strummed by guitar. The outlaws have taken the countrypolitan scene by force, and they are going to force you to listen to their tale of a preacher wronged by his woman. All through the other-worldly voice of Willie, and his Django-influenced guitar. Stick around, they have quite a story to tell.
2.) I Couldn't Believe It Was True
Eddy Arnold's classic tune of infidelity has come to the party as well. The changes are inherent though; this is campfire music, honestly played and portrayed.
3.) Time Of the Preacher Theme
Back we are to a Nelson original, that seems like it is going to weave throughout the tale. I don't know if the Music Row establishment had ever contemplated a concept album, but it was here, there was no remorse on it's face and "The Killin's begun".
4.) Medley: Blue Rock Montana/ Red Headed Stranger
Death comes early in our tale, the cheating wife and her lover ended up with frozen"Smiles on their faces". Ride on, Stranger, the law will be a-comin'.
5.) Blue Eyes Cryin' In The Rain
Western ballads had forgotten the faces of their fathers in the early 70's. Shotgun Willie had not. The Carters spring to mind instantly on this Fred Rose standard, but the voice that tells it to us is of a persuasion not seen in years. There are tumbleweeds on his breath, and an understated dignity in his playing. This song can change your life in an instant.
6.) Red Headed Stranger
We now see our anti-hero kill a woman for trying to steal his murdered wife's horse. It's presented as if a newspaper article: recounting the facts, never passing judgement. It is the last crime our Stranger participates in, which doesn't clear his name. Only the redemptive powers of the frontier and a new life can do that. Nelson's mix of covers and originals flow more seamlessly than most complete new works.
7.) Time Of the Preacher Theme
With this reprise, we leave the past and the theme. Act II begins in just a moment.
8.) Just As I Am
...but first, this understated composition, played for all its stark beauty by a tiny ensemble of musicians, who most have believed in Willie's message as strongly as he did. If prog could exist in the Remington and Stetson world of Country and Western, this would be its shining light.
9.) Denver
Side II takes us from Montana to Colorado, and oddly enough, we see our star dance the night away with a woman he has just met. The past, though filled with bloodshed, leaves his clothes as the breeze from their waltz cleanses his soul.
10.) Down Yonder
The hoedown calls, and our players echo their joviality, cutting a rug right up to the hotel room door. The instrumentals on this disc speak as many volumes as the tracks with words. Such is the power of our interpreter.
11.) Can I Sleep In Your Arms
I have never heard a version of Hank Cochran singing this, his composition. I don't need too, although anyone who wishes to can surely find it in these instant gratification times. For me, this is Willie's masterpiece, as honest a portrayal of longing as has ever been presented for a listener's ears. Bob Seeger got close. But for my money, there has never been a finer recording in the realm of romantic balladry than this one.The instrumental coda only adds to this piece's legend. No one makes six strings sing in such a human voice then our master of ceremonies.
12.) Remember Me (When The Candle Lights Are Gleaming)
Goodbye past. Goodbye mistakes. Goodbye to everything that has lead me here. They were only gruesome stepstones that my pilgrim's feet had to cross to reach your arms. I don't even remember the one who hurt me's name.
13.) Hands On The Wheel
Somehow it all worked out. No federales ever came to take down our Pancho's life. No further grief tore his heart asunder. He found infinite happiness in that Denver saloon. Now, as he ages with a new family who will never break his heart, his world is at Peace. This may not be the traditional journey we expected the Stranger to take, but it is built on a solid bed of love. Let's leave him with his wife and their young child, for one more tune as the closing credits play.
14. Bandera
Piano, harmonica, bass, guitar and a voice for the ages... that's all it took to wake you up almost 40 years ago, Nashville. Is that all it will take now?
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