Spirit

Rating

Album: Spirit
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Matador Album Version (Instrumental)	More Info...	1:42
2)	She Is Gone Album Version	More Info...	2:55
3)	Your Memory Won't Die In My Grave Album Version	More Info...	3:27
4)	I'm Not Trying To Forget You Anymore Album Version	More Info...	3:53
5)	Too Sick To Pray Album Version	More Info...	2:40
6)	Mariachi Album Version (Instrumental)	More Info...	2:06
7)	I'm Waiting Forever Album Version	More Info...	3:09
8)	We Don't Run Album Version	More Info...	3:02
9)	I Guess I've Come To Live Here In Your Eyes Album Version	More Info...	3:36
10)	It's A Dream Come True Album Version	More Info...	3:59
11)	I Thought About You, Lord Album Version	More Info...	4:12
12)	Spirit Of E9 Album Version (Instrumental)	More Info...	4:58
13)	Matador Snippet (Instrumental)	More Info...	0:18
2)	She Is Gone	More Info...	0:03
3)	Your Memory Won't Die In My Grave	More Info...	0:03
4)	Im Not Trying To Forget You Anymore	More Info...	0:04
5)	Too Sick to Pray	More Info...	0:02
6)	Mariachi	More Info...	0:02
7)	Im Waiting Forever	More Info...	0:03
8)	We Don't Run	More Info...	0:03
9)	I Guess I've Come to Live Here in Your Eyes	More Info...	0:03
10)	It's a Dream Come True	More Info...	0:04
11)	I Thought About You, Lord	More Info...	0:04
12)	Spirit Of E9	More Info...	0:05
13)	Matador	More Info...

Album: Spirit
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Matador Album Version (Instrumental)	More Info...	1:42
2)	She Is Gone Album Version	More Info...	2:55
3)	Your Memory Won't Die In My Grave Album Version	More Info...	3:27
4)	I'm Not Trying To Forget You Anymore Album Version	More Info...	3:53
5)	Too Sick To Pray Album Version	More Info...	2:40
6)	Mariachi Album Version (Instrumental)	More Info...	2:06
7)	I'm Waiting Forever Album Version	More Info...	3:09
8)	We Don't Run Album Version	More Info...	3:02
9)	I Guess I've Come To Live Here In Your Eyes Album Version	More Info...	3:36
10)	It's A Dream Come True Album Version	More Info...	3:59
11)	I Thought About You, Lord Album Version	More Info...	4:12
12)	Spirit Of E9 Album Version (Instrumental)	More Info...	4:58
13)	Matador Snippet (Instrumental)	More Info...	0:18
2)	She Is Gone	More Info...	0:03
3)	Your Memory Won't Die In My Grave	More Info...	0:03
4)	Im Not Trying To Forget You Anymore	More Info...	0:04
5)	Too Sick to Pray	More Info...	0:02
6)	Mariachi	More Info...	0:02
7)	Im Waiting Forever	More Info...	0:03
8)	We Don't Run	More Info...	0:03
9)	I Guess I've Come to Live Here in Your Eyes	More Info...	0:03
10)	It's a Dream Come True	More Info...	0:04
11)	I Thought About You, Lord	More Info...	0:04
12)	Spirit Of E9	More Info...	0:05
13)	Matador	More Info...

Performer Notes

Personnel: Willie Nelson (vocals, guitar); Jody Payne (guitar, background vocals); Johnny Gimble (fiddle); Bobbie Nelson (piano).
Recorded at Pedernales Recording, Austin, Texas.
Personnel: Willie Nelson (vocals, guitar); Johnny Gimble (fiddle); Bobbie Nelson (piano).
Audio Mixer: Joe Gracey.
Recording information: Pedernales Recording, Austin, TX (11/04/1995).
Illustrator: Dave Zettner.
Photographer: Chris Buck.
On his debut for Island Records, Willie Nelson returns to the song-cycle concept that served him well two decades earlier on RED HEADED STRANGER and PHASES AND STAGES. At age 63, Nelson uses the stripped-down, drumless SPIRIT to look back at his relationships with God and with women. "Matador," a beautiful, flamenco-flavored instrumental, begins and ends the record. In between, the Red Headed Stranger reminisces about all the good things the Creator has done ("I Thought About You, Lord"), and makes his peace in a direct conversation ("Too Sick To Pray"). Nelson's limber acoustic guitar resonates throughout, while sister Bobbie's distinctive piano playing is at the center of tales of lost love ("She Is Gone," "I'm Waiting Forever"). And Bobbie rambles alongside the joyous noise of long-time Nelson fiddler Johnny Gimble in another instrumental, "Spirit Of E9," a Tex-Mex-flavored waltz.

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (12/26/96, p.198) - "...low-key, acoustic, stripped to the rugged fundamentals of a good song and a superior voice....Nelson's singing...remains a heavy wonder in itself, and the exquisite fiddling of old Bob Wills sidekick Johnny Gimble is always something to behold..."

Q (8/96, p.124) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...he offers a handful of originals which reach back to the cantinas and missions of rural Texas and an older, pre-Nashville tradition. The straightness of the delivery suits the directness of the material..."