I'm kind of alone among most of my friends in my love for Willie Nelson, but as a fan of classic country, it's hard not to be swayed by his impressive career. Shotgun Willie is among his best. It features many of his own compositions rather than covers that later made him more famous.

From songs about drowning in a whiskey river, to the dance floor perfection of Stay all Night (Stay a Little Longer), from the lamenting romances of Sad Songs and Waltzes and She's Not For You, this album plays like a wonderfully beery night Donn's Depot in Austin.

Recorded with Atlantic after an opressive relationship with RCA, Nelson seems to be giving his all here on his own terms, and with that independent self expression, he defined a new sound in country.