Maps of Music

A Beautiful Time (2022)

Where the lyrics of A Beautiful Time take you, and where it was really made.

Willie Nelson released this 72nd solo studio album on his 89th birthday, April 29, 2022.

Key places

Blackbird Studio session (2022)

Recording site Blackbird Studio — The source links Blackbird in Nashville to the recording of this album. The coordinates refer to the studio's building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

East Iris session (2022)

Recording site East Iris Recording Studio — The source links East Iris in Nashville to the recording of this album. The coordinates refer to the studio's building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

The Tracking Room session (2022)

Recording site The Tracking Room — The source links The Tracking Room in Nashville to the recording of this album. The coordinates refer to the studio's building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Pedernales Recording Studio session (2022)

Recording site Pedernales Recording Studio — The source links Pedernales Recording Studio in Spicewood, Texas to the recording of this album. The coordinates refer to the studio's building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Sound Emporium session (2022)

Recording site Sound Emporium Studios — The source links Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville to the recording of this album. The coordinates refer to the studio's building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• A Beautiful Time: 72nd solo studio album by Willie Nelson
• Released April 29, 2022, on Nelson's 89th birthday
• Produced by Buddy Cannon
• Includes original songs by Nelson, plus covers of the Beatles and Leonard Cohen
• Lead single "I'll Love You Till the Day I Die" was written by Chris Stapleton and Rodney Crowell

Background

• Nelson released the single "I'll Love You Till the Day I Die" on February 10, 2022
• The single was released before the album as its lead track
• The album later won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards
• The single was a nominee in the Best Country Song category at the same ceremony

Recording

• Sessions are linked to several Nashville studios: Blackbird, East Iris, Sound Emporium and The Tracking Room
• A session was also linked to Pedernales Recording Studio in Spicewood, Texas
• The recording was done remotely, so the musicians did not play together in one room
• Tracks include Nelson and Buddy Cannon originals such as "My Heart Was a Dancer" and "Energy Follows Thought"

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Born Willie Hugh Nelson on April 29, 1933, in Abbott, Texas.
• Wrote his first song at age seven and joined his first band, Bohemian Polka, as a guitarist at age nine.
• Attended Baylor University for two years before dropping out to pursue music.
• Moved to Nashville in 1960 and joined Ray Price's band as a bassist.

Career

• Songs such as "Crazy" (Patsy Cline), "Funny How Time Slips Away" and "Pretty Paper" became hits for other artists.
• Debut album ...And Then I Wrote was released in 1962; joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1965.
• Helped lead the outlaw country movement after moving to Austin, Texas in 1972.
• Red Headed Stranger (1975) was a critically acclaimed concept album; the single "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" became his first number one hit.
• Co-founded Farm Aid in 1985 with Neil Young and John Mellencamp.
• Acted in over 30 films, including The Electric Horseman (1979).
• Received a Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance for "Ride Me Back Home" (2019).
• Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993 and received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1998.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Metacritic: the album received a score of 84 out of 100 based on four reviews, indicating universal acclaim
• AllMusic: Stephen Thomas Erlewine praised the record's "earned wisdom and wry humor"
• The Arts Desk: Liz Thomson called the album "classic Nelson"
• No Depression: praised Nelson's vocals and guitar playing, saying the album is a delightful album from beginning to end
• No Depression noted that the remote recording meant the musicians lacked other players to bounce off

Reappraisal

• Veteran critic Robert Christgau ranked it as the fourth best album of 2022

Records

• Won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards
• The lead single was a nominee in the Best Country Song category at the same awards

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Released on Nelson's 89th birthday, April 29, 2022
• Covers include Leonard Cohen's "Tower of Song" and the Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends"
• The lead single "I'll Love You Till the Day I Die" was nominated at the Grammy ceremony in the Best Country Song category, while the album won Best Country Album
• The album is Nelson's 72nd solo studio album, one of the most extensive catalogues in country music
• Sessions were spread across Nashville studios and one studio in Spicewood, Texas

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org

Maps of Ages ↗ (mapsofages.com)

Privacy · Contact