Phases and Stages

by Willie Nelson

Overview

If Shotgun Willie played a bit like a concept album, Phases and Stages was a full-blown one, tracing the dissolution of a marriage and devoting one side to the wife's perspective, the second to the husband's. If anything, Willie overplays his hand a bit, insisting on grafting the "Phases and Stages" theme between crucial songs to the point of genuine irritation. But, pretend that never happened, erase it from your mind, and Phases and Stages is easily the equal of its remarkable predecessor, a wonderful set of music that resonates deeply, as deeply as the words. Make no mistake -- the deceptively relaxed arrangements, including the occasional strings, not only highlight Nelson's clever eclecticism, but they also heighten the emotional impact of the album. And this is a hell of an emotional record, where even each side's celebratory honky tonk numbers (the medley "Sister's Coming Home/Down at the Corner Beer Joint" and "Pick Up the Tempo," respectively) are muted by sadness. Then, there are the centerpieces: "Walkin'," where the woman decides it's time to move on; "Pretend I Never Happened," perhaps the coldest ending to a relationship ever written; "Bloody Mary Morning," a bleary-eyed morning-after tale that became a standard; "It's Not Supposed to Be That Way," a nearly unbearably melancholy account of a love gone wrong; and "Heaven and Hell," a waltz summary of the relationship. Any two of these would have formed a strong core for an album, but placed together in a narrative context, their impact is even more considerable. As a result, this is not just one of Willie Nelson's best records, but one of the great concept albums overall. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	09/01/2023
Label:	Atlantic / Rhino Atlantic
UPC:	0603497837052

Tracks

1. Phases and Stages/Washing the Dishes
2. Phases and Stages/Walkin'
3. Pretend I Never Happened
4. Sister's Coming Home/Down At the Corner Beer Joint
5. (How Will I Know) I'm Falling In Love Again
6. Bloody Mary Morning
7. Phases and Stages/No Love Around
8. I Still Can't Believe You're Gone
9. It's Not Supposed To Be That Way
10. Heaven and Hell
11. Phases and Stages/Pick Up the Tempo/Phases and Stages (Theme)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Willie Nelson   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Johnny Gimble   Guest Artist,Fiddle,Mandolin
Eric Weissberg   Guest Artist,Banjo
John Hughey   Pedal Steel
Fred Carter, Jr.   Dobro,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (12 String)
David Hood   Bass
Pete Carr   Dobro,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Roger Hawkins   Drums
George Soule   Vocals (Background)
Barry Beckett   Keyboards
Jeanie Greene   Vocals (Background)
Al Lester   Fiddle

Technical Credits

Steve Melton   Engineer
Jerry Masters   Engineer
Jerry Wexler   Producer
Mike Lewis   String Arrangements
Willie Nelson   Composer,Liner Notes
Tom Dowd   Remixing
Slick Lawson   Photography