Shadowed by the popularity of the 1976 album “Wanted! Outlaws: Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Coulter and Tompall Glaser” was Willie Nelson’s other album released that same year “The Sound in Your Mind”, which went by as subtle as the music that is etched onto the vinyl.
Released on Columbia records, the front cover depicts Nelson with a downward glance and a slight smirk as his blue bandana holds back his red hair.
The album is a mix of originals, old country covers, and the Nelson’s arrangement of “Amazing Grace” that has a mellow touch to it.
All of the songs have that steady rocking chair sound to them and are all pretty depressing. I wouldn’t suggest this album if you are looking to start the day out on a giddy note because you will not have the slightest giggle resounding inside of your body.
Well, Maybe. “If You’ve Got the Money I’ve Got the Time” is a witty little tonk number about people who get used for their money by pocket thieving swine. It is told from the perspective of a broke down bum who dates rich girls just so they can pay his way into places.
The afore mentioned song is not a Willie original as well as the song “I’d Have to be Crazy”. Although, “I’d Have to Be Crazy” is probably the sweetest, most humorous love song that I have probably ever heard.
With such lines as “I’d have to be weird to grow me a beard, just to see what the rednecks would do. I’d have to be crazy, or plum of my mind to fall out of love with you.”
The Harmonica, played by Mickey Raphael, is played in just the right moments throughout this album. It will come out of nowhere and it feels like an uplifting touch on the neck. Very subtle and fits right into place.
The backside of the album features the title track as well the closing medley, both which were written by Nelson.
These two songs offer a quaint compliment to each other. “The Sound in Your Mind” is a sad little romper about getting that person out of your mind and reminding that person that that same sound is you in their mind.
The last track is a medley of the three songs “Funny How Time Slips Away,” “Crazy,” and “Night Life.” They all flow into each other and this could be described as a blues and country number. It has some very appealing guitar solos by Jody Payne.
The band get away from that mellow sound, which they possessed throughout the entire album and pick up the tempo on the last movement of “Night Life.”
It’s somewhat of a bi-polar movement because they will be playing very steady and then just drop it all and go back to that downer sound. “Listen to what the blues are saying. The night life ain’t no good life, but it’s my life and that’s okay,” Willie explains.
This album is not the happiest piece of music that was ever recorded, but it is still a good listen.
If this does not appeal to you, check out his country-reggae album “CountryMan.”
He is also going to be performing at the Eagle Mountain Casino in Porterville on April 26.