The entire album has a spanish haunting feel. The opening instrumental sets the tone of sadness and regret leads directly into “She is Gone” No steel guitar or backup singers (just a few backing vocals by Jody Payne) this is as close I will get to sitting in a room with Willie and listening to him play his heart. Just a couple of guitars, piano, and occasional fiddle. This is a great example when an accomplished artist gets to do what he wants and doesnt have to worry about record sales. This more of a work of art than a marketable album. This is probably the reason it did not sell well and why I have never heard any of the songs off of it. This work leans heavy on the almost forgotten ‘western’ side of the country and western genre, it is definitely not country. “I’m not trying to forget you” sounds like a saloon song from the 1800s. Another highlight from the album is “Too Sick to Pray” and “Mariachi” sounds like it was recorded in a old stockyard in front of an adobe hacienda where a sweet lady is making you frijoles for supper. This is a Nelson masterpiece. The album begs for whiskey and a fire pit under the stars.
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