The Essential

~ Release by Willie Nelson (see all versions of this release, 8 available)

Tracklist

1▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Night Life
bass:
Dean Reynolds (in 1960)
guitar:
Paul Buskirk (in 1960) and Willie Nelson (in 1960)
saxophone:
Dick Shannon (in 1960)
steel guitar:
Herb Remington (in 1960)
vocals:
Willie Nelson (in 1960)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
recording of:
Night Life (Willie Nelson) (in 1960)
writer:
Walt Breeland (American songwriter), Paul Buskirk and Willie Nelson
publisher:
Glad Music Co., Pappy Daily Music, Sony/ATV Songs (SOCAN), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing and Glad Music Publishing (in 1962)
Willie Nelson42:32
2Hello Walls
producer:
Joe Allison
bass:
Red Wootten (on 1961-09-12)
bass [Fender bass]:
Ray Pohlman (on 1961-09-12)
drums (drum set):
Roy Harte (drummer and Pacific Jazz founder) (on 1961-09-12)
guitar:
Roy Nichols (on 1961-09-12), Billy Strange (on 1961-09-12) and Johnny Western (on 1961-09-12)
background vocals:
B.J. Baker Group (on 1961-09-12)
vocals:
Willie Nelson (on 1961-09-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
recorded at:
Radio Recorders Studios (Santa Monica Blvd. location since 1949) in West Hollywood, California, United States (on 1961-09-12)
recording of:
Hello Walls (on 1961-09-12)
lyricist and composer:
Willie Nelson
publisher:
Pamper Music, Inc. (on 1961-02-08)
Willie Nelson42:24
3Crazy
producer:
Joe Allison
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
recording of:
Crazy (Willie Nelson song)
lyricist and composer:
Willie Nelson
publisher:
Acuff-Rose Music Limited (UK), Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (1995–2020) and Sony/ATV Tree Publishing
Willie Nelson4.352:52
4Funny How Time Slips Away
producer:
Joe Allison
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
recording of:
Funny How Time Slips Away
lyricist and composer:
Willie Nelson
publisher:
Acuff-Rose-Opryland Music Limited (UK), Sony/ATV Songs LLC, Sony/ATV Tree Publishing and Tree Publishing
Willie Nelson4.253:02
5The Party’s Over
producer:
Chet Atkins
bass:
Roy Huskey, Jr. (son of Roy Junior Huskey) (on 1966-06-08)
drums (drum set):
"Johnny Bush" Shinn, II* (on 1966-06-08)
electric guitar:
Jerry Reed (on 1966-06-08)
fiddle:
Wade Ray (on 1966-06-08)
guitar:
Willie Nelson (on 1966-06-08) and Velma Williams Smith (Nashville A-Team) (on 1966-06-08)
piano:
Hargus “Pig” Robbins (on 1966-06-08)
steel guitar:
Buddy Emmons (on 1966-06-08)
vocals:
Willie Nelson (on 1966-06-08)
recorded at:
RCA Victor Studios (Nashville) in Nashville, Tennessee, United States (on 1966-06-08)
recording of:
The Party’s Over (on 1966-06-08)
lyricist and composer:
Willie Nelson
recording of:
The Party’s Over (Bells Are Ringing)
lyricist:
Betty Comden and Adolph Green
composer:
Jule Styne
publisher:
Chappell & Co., Stratford Music Corporation and Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
part of:
Bells Are Ringing (stage musical)
Willie Nelson42:27
6I Gotta Get Drunk
producer:
Felton Jarvis
bass:
Jimmy Day (on 1969-11-13)
drums (drum set):
Billy English (US drummer/percussionist for Willie Nelson) (on 1969-11-13)
guitar:
Willie Nelson (on 1969-11-13) and David Zettner (on 1969-11-13)
vocals:
Willie Nelson (on 1969-11-13)
recorded at:
RCA Victor Studios (Nashville) in Nashville, Tennessee, United States (on 1969-11-13)
recording of:
I Gotta Get Drunk (on 1969-11-13)
lyricist and composer:
Willie Nelson
publisher:
Sony/ATV Tree Publishing
Willie Nelson32:16
7Yesterday’s Wine
producer:
Felton Jarvis
bass:
Roy Huskey, Jr. (son of Roy Junior Huskey) (on 1971-05-03)
drums (drum set):
Jerry Carrigan (US drummer) (on 1971-05-03)
guitar:
Dave Kirby (US country singer/songwriter) (on 1971-05-03), Chip Young (American session guitarist, bassist, producer in the genre of country) (on 1971-05-03) and David Zettner (on 1971-05-03)
steel guitar:
Weldon Myrick (on 1971-05-03)
vocals:
Willie Nelson (on 1971-05-03)
recorded at:
RCA Victor Studios (Nashville) in Nashville, Tennessee, United States (on 1971-05-03)
recording of:
Yesterday’s Wine (on 1971-05-03)
lyricist and composer:
Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson4.53:14
8Me and Paul
engineer:
Al Pachucki
producer:
Felton Jarvis
bass:
Roy "Junior" Huskey, Jr. (son of Roy Junior Huskey) (on 1971-05-04)
drums (drum set):
Jerry Carrigan (US drummer) (on 1971-05-04)
fiddle:
Buddy Spicher (American country and bluegrass fiddle player) (on 1971-05-04)
guitar:
David Zettner (on 1970-05-04), Pete Wade, Jr. (on 1971-05-04) and Chip Young (American session guitarist, bassist, producer in the genre of country) (on 1971-05-04)
organ and piano:
Hargus “Pig” Robbins (on 1971-05-04)
steel guitar:
Weldon Myrick (on 1971-05-04)
vocals:
Willie Nelson (on 1971-05-04)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
recording of:
Me and Paul (on 1971-05-04)
lyricist and composer:
Willie Nelson
publisher:
EMI Full Nelson Music
Willie Nelson43:49
9Family Bible
engineer:
Al Pachucki
producer:
Felton Jarvis
cover recording of:
Family Bible
lyricist:
Willie Nelson
composer:
Willie Nelson (in 1957)
previously attributed to:
Walt Breeland (American songwriter), Paul Buskirk and Claude Gray (American country music singer-songwriter and guitar picker)
publisher:
Glad Music Publishing and Recording LP and Pappy Daily Music
recording of:
Family Bible
lyricist:
Willie Nelson
composer:
Willie Nelson (in 1957)
previously attributed to:
Walt Breeland (American songwriter), Paul Buskirk and Claude Gray (American country music singer-songwriter and guitar picker)
publisher:
Glad Music Publishing and Recording LP and Pappy Daily Music
Willie Nelson3:12
10Bloody Mary Morning
recording of:
Bloody Mary Morning
lyricist and composer:
Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson2:50
11Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
engineer:
Phil York
producer:
Willie Nelson
bass:
Bee Spears (in 1975-02)
drums (drum set):
Billy English (US drummer/percussionist for Willie Nelson) (in 1975-02) and Paul English (US drummer for Willie Nelson) (in 1975-02)
guitar:
Bucky Meadows (American session musician) (in 1975-02), Willie Nelson (in 1975-02) and Jody Payne (in 1975-02)
harmonica:
Mickey Raphael (in 1975-02)
mandolin:
Jody Payne (in 1975-02)
piano:
Bobbie Nelson (in 1975-02)
vocals:
Willie Nelson (in 1975-02)
arranger:
Willie Nelson
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
recorded at:
Autumn Sound Studios in Garland, Texas, United States (in 1975-02)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 40 Saddest Country Songs of All Time (2019 re-issued) (number: 16), Rolling Stone: The 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time (number: 27), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 253) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 302)
cover recording of:
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain (in 1975-02)
lyricist and composer:
Fred Rose (songwriter)
publisher:
Campbell Connelly & Co. Ltd., Milene Music (publisher) and Sony/ATV Milene Music
Willie Nelson42:20
12Good Hearted Woman
producer:
Waylon Jennings (US country musician) and Ray Pennington
bass:
Duke Goff (in 1972)
drums (drum set):
Richie Albright (in 1972)
guitar:
Waylon Jennings (US country musician) (in 1972), Billy Ray Reynolds (in 1972) and Larry Whitmore (in 1972)
harmonica:
Roger Crabtree (in 1972)
steel guitar:
Ralph Mooney (in 1972)
vocals:
Waylon Jennings (US country musician) (in 1972) and Willie Nelson (in 1972)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
BMG Entertainment (in 1974) and Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
recording of:
Good Hearted Woman (in 1972)
writer:
Waylon Jennings (US country musician) and Willie Nelson
publisher:
Baron Music Publishing Co. and Willie Nelson Music
cover recording of:
Good Hearted Woman
writer:
Waylon Jennings (US country musician) and Willie Nelson
publisher:
Baron Music Publishing Co. and Willie Nelson Music
Willie Nelson3.52:58
13If You’ve Got the Money I’ve Got the Time
engineer:
Phil York
producer:
Willie Nelson
bass:
Bee Spears (in 1976)
drums (drum set):
Rex Ludwick (US drummer) (in 1976)
guitar:
Willie Nelson (in 1976) and Jody Payne (in 1976)
instruments:
Mickey Raphael (in 1976)
percussion:
Paul English (US drummer for Willie Nelson) (in 1976)
piano:
Bobbie Nelson (in 1976)
vocals:
Willie Nelson (in 1976)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
engineered at:
Autumn Sound Studios in Garland, Texas, United States (in 1976)
cover recording of:
If You’ve Got the Money I’ve Got the Time (in 1976)
writer:
Jim Beck (James Albert Beck, country music producer, talent agent, record promoter, recording studio owner, A&R engineer, music publisher) and Lefty Frizzell (US country singer & songwriter)
Willie Nelson42:05
14Uncloudy Day
producer:
Arif Mardin
bass:
Dan Spears (in 1973)
drums (drum set):
Paul English (US drummer for Willie Nelson) (in 1973)
fiddle:
Doug Sahm (in 1973)
guitar:
Larry Gatlin (in 1973) and Willie Nelson (in 1973)
organ:
Jeff Gutcheon (in 1973)
pedal steel guitar and resonator guitar [dobro]:
James Clayton Day (in 1973)
piano:
Bobbie Nelson (in 1973)
background vocals:
Dee Moeller (in 1973), Doug Sahm (in 1973) and Sammi Smith (in 1973)
lead vocals:
Willie Nelson (in 1973)
arranger:
Willie Nelson
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
recorded at:
Atlantic Studios (1841 Broadway, New York, 1957–1991) in Midtown Manhattan, New York, New York, United States (in 1973)
recording of:
Uncloudy Day (in 1973)
lyricist and composer:
Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson44:40
15Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys
bass:
Sherman Hayes (in 1977-11)
drums (drum set):
Richie Albright (in 1977-11)
guitar:
John Hug (in 1977-11), Waylon Jennings (US country musician) (in 1977-11), Chips Moman (in 1977-11), Gordon Payne (in 1977-11), Rance Wasson (in 1977-11) and Reggie Young (Guitarist and songwriter) (in 1977-11)
guitar [guitar harmony] and harmonica:
Gordon Payne (in 1977-11)
keyboard and organ:
Barny Robertson (in 1977-11)
steel guitar:
Sherman Hayes (in 1977-11) and Ralph Mooney (in 1977-11)
background vocals:
Barny Robertson (in 1977-11), Gordon Payne (in 1977-11), Carter Robertson (in 1977-11), Rance Wasson (in 1977-11) and Becky Williams (country vocals) (in 1977-11)
lead vocals:
Waylon Jennings (US country musician) (in 1977-11) and Willie Nelson (in 1977-11)
vocals:
Waylon Jennings (US country musician) (in 1977-11) and Willie Nelson (in 1977-11)
performer:
Waylon Jennings (US country musician)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
BMG Music (in 1977), RCA Records (not for release label use! for the imprint, please use “RCA” instead) (in 1978) and Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
recorded at:
American Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, United States (in 1977-11)
cover recording of:
Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys (in 1977-11)
writer:
Ed Bruce (American country music songwriter, singer and actor) and Patsy Bruce
publisher:
Tree Publishing Inc.
version of:
Mama Don't Let Your Cowboys Grow Up to Be Babies
Willie Nelson with Waylon Jennings42:33
16Georgia on My Mind
engineer:
Donivan Cowart and Bradley Hartman
producer:
Booker T. Jones
vocals:
Willie Nelson (on 1977-12-12)
arranger:
Booker T. Jones
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
CBS, Inc. (US broadcasting company; file no releases here!) (in 1978) and Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
recorded at:
The Enactron Truck in Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1977-12-12)
mixed at:
The Enactron Truck in Los Angeles, California, United States
cover recording of:
Georgia on My Mind (on 1977-12-12)
anthem of:
Georgia, United States (from 1979 to present)
lyricist:
Stuart Gorrell (in 1930)
composer:
Hoagy Carmichael (in 1930)
publisher:
Peer International Corporation (BMI), Peermusic III, Ltd. (BMI), Campbell Connelly & Co. Ltd. (from 1930 to present) and Southern Music Publishing Co., Inc. ((ASCAP) tradename Peermusic) (from 1930 to present)
sub-publisher:
ピアーミュージック (Peer Music Japan, Japan, subsidiary of Nichion)
arrangement of:
Georgia on My Mind (Solo piano arrangement)
Willie Nelson44:20
17Blue Skies
cover recording of:
Blue Skies
lyricist and composer:
Irving Berlin (in 1926)
publisher:
Francis, Day & Hunter Ltd., Irving Berlin Music Company and Williamson Music Company
sub-publisher:
シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.) and ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division)
recording of:
Blue Skies
lyricist and composer:
Irving Berlin (in 1926)
publisher:
Francis, Day & Hunter Ltd., Irving Berlin Music Company and Williamson Music Company
sub-publisher:
シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.) and ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division)
Willie Nelson3:34
18Heartbreak Hotel
producer:
Willie Nelson and Leon Russell
bass:
Chris Ethridge (in 1979-03)
drums (drum set):
Paul English (US drummer for Willie Nelson) (in 1979-03) and Rex Ludwick (US drummer) (in 1979-03)
guitar:
Willie Nelson (in 1979-03) and Jody Payne (in 1979-03)
harmonica:
Mickey Raphael (in 1979-03)
keyboard:
Leon Russell (in 1979-03)
organ:
John Gallie (organist, guitarist) (in 1979-03)
percussion:
Ambrose Campbell (in 1979-03)
saxophone:
Marty Grebb (in 1979-03)
background vocals:
Jim Boatman (gospel singer) and Jody Payne (in 1979-03)
vocals:
Willie Nelson (in 1979-03) and Leon Russell (in 1979-03)
performer:
Leon Russell
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
recorded at:
Paradise Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (in 1979-03)
cover recording of:
Heartbreak Hotel (in 1979-03)
writer:
Mae Boren Axton, Tommy Durden and Elvis Presley (“The King of Rock and Roll”)
publisher:
Belwin Mills Music Ltd., Durden Breyer Publishing, EMI Harmonies Limited, EMI Mills Music Limited (PRS for Music-affiliated), Sony/ATV Songs LLC, Sony/ATV Tree Publishing and Unichappell Music
sub-publisher:
ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label), コンソーシアム音楽出版 C・F事業部 (Consortium Music Publishing, CF Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング CMP外国事業部 (sub‐publisher for foreign (non‐Japanese) works) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
Willie Nelson with Leon Russell23:02
19Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)
recording of:
Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)
lyricist and composer:
Kris Kristofferson
Willie Nelson5:52
20My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
recording engineer:
Dan Wallin
assistant engineer:
Ollie Cotton
producer:
Dave Grusin (American pianist and score composer), Willie Nelson, Sydney Pollack and Larry Rosen
guitar:
Willie Nelson (in 1979)
harmonica:
Mickey Raphael (in 1979)
vocals:
Willie Nelson (in 1979)
remixer:
Larry Rosen
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
CBS, Inc. (US broadcasting company; file no releases here!) and Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
cover recording of:
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
lyricist and composer:
Sharon Rice
Willie Nelson43:06
21Faded Love
engineer and mixer:
Bradley Hartman
producer:
Willie Nelson
performer:
Ray Price (American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
cover recording of:
Faded Love
miscellaneous support:
Merle Haggard (US country singer, guitarist, fiddler & songwriter) (in 1971)
lyricist, writer and composer:
Bob Wills (Texan Western swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader) and John Wills (Texas fiddler)
publisher:
Anne-Rachel Music Corp. and WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (in 1951)
Willie Nelson43:50
22Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground
engineer and mixer:
Bradley Hartman
producer:
Willie Nelson (in 1979)
bass:
Bee Spears (in 1979)
drums (drum set):
Paul English (US drummer for Willie Nelson) (in 1979) and Rex Ludwick (US drummer) (in 1979)
guitar:
Johnny Gimble (in 1979), Willie Nelson (in 1979) and Jody Payne (in 1979)
harmonica:
Mickey Raphael (in 1979)
percussion:
Paul English (US drummer for Willie Nelson) (in 1979)
piano:
Bobbie Nelson (in 1979)
vocals:
Willie Nelson (in 1979)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
recorded at:
The Enactron Truck in Los Angeles, California, United States (in 1979)
recording of:
Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground (in 1979)
lyricist and composer:
Willie Nelson
publisher:
EMI Full Nelson Music
Willie Nelson54:30
23Whiskey River (live)
producer:
Willie Nelson
mixer:
Bradley Hartman
bass:
Chris Ethridge (in 1978-04) and Bee Spears (in 1978-04)
drums (drum set):
Paul English (US drummer for Willie Nelson) (in 1978-04) and Rex Ludwick (US drummer) (in 1978-04)
guitar:
Willie Nelson (in 1978-04) and Jody Payne (in 1978-04)
harmonica:
Mickey Raphael (in 1978-04)
piano:
Bobbie Nelson (in 1978-04)
vocals:
Willie Nelson (in 1978-04)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2003)
mixed at:
The Enactron Truck in Los Angeles, California, United States
engineered at:
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe in Stateline, Nevada, United States (in 1978-04)
live cover recording of:
Whiskey River
writer:
J.B. Shinn III and Paul Stroud
live recording of:
Whiskey River
writer:
J.B. Shinn III and Paul Stroud
Willie Nelson33:32
2▶CD