Maps of Music

Without a Song (1983)

Where the lyrics of Without a Song take you, and where it was really made.

Willie Nelson's country singer's album of pop standards was made in three different studios: one in Spicewood, one in London and one in Hollywood.

Key places

Recorded at Pedernales Recording Studio (1983)

Recording site Pedernales Recording Studio — The album was recorded at Pedernales Recording Studio in Spicewood, the first of three studios listed for the session. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Strings recorded at Olympic Studios (1983)

Recording site Olympic Studios — The strings were recorded at Olympic Studios in London with members of the London Symphony Orchestra. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Horns recorded at Weddington Studios (1983)

Recording site The Music Grinder (Hollywood) — The horn parts were recorded at Weddington Studios in Hollywood, California, and the location is given only at city-center precision. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Without a Song is a studio album by the American country singer Willie Nelson, released in 1983.
• Released in 1983 by CBS Inc., per the copyright line on the Discogs release page.
• Similar to Stardust (1978), it consists of renditions of traditional pop standards.
• The album was produced by Booker T. Jones.
• Ten tracks, from the title song Without a Song (3:54) to A Dreamer's Holiday (3:27).
• Track list includes Autumn Leaves, Harbor Lights and As Time Goes By.

Background

• As Time Goes By features Julio Iglesias on vocals.
• Bobbie Nelson plays piano; Mickey Raphael plays harmonica.
• Booker T. Jones plays organ and also arranges.
• Grady Martin and Jody Payne play guitar; Bee Spears plays bass.
• Paul English plays drums and Billy English plays percussion.
• Jules Chaikin conducts the strings and horns.

Recording

• Willie Nelson plays acoustic guitar and sings.
• Recorded at Pedernales Recording Studio in Spicewood.
• Strings recorded at Olympic Studios in London, England, with members of the London Symphony Orchestra.
• Horns recorded at Weddington Studios in Hollywood, California.
• Engineers credited include Bobby Arnold, David Hamilton-Smith, Keith Grant and Wally Grant.
• Larry Greenhill is credited as remix engineer.
• Mastering credited to Customatrix.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

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

• Rolling Stone noted that the familiar vocal hesitations and throat-catchings are all in place, but straightforward readings of mostly less-than-spectacular tunes are tossed off by Nelson with little energy.
• The New York Times wrote that Mr. Jones's arrangements, with their simple, plodding rhythms, and guitar and harmonica solos that repeat the tunes, keep the mood appropriately informal.
• The same review warned that if the music became any barer, Mr. Nelson might start sounding like a contemporary Mitch Miller.

Records

• Billboard country albums chart: number 3 (Spanish Wikipedia).
• Billboard 200: number 54 (Spanish Wikipedia).
• As Time Goes By was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal category.
• Released in 1983 by Columbia Records (Spanish Wikipedia).

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Julio Iglesias sings vocals on As Time Goes By, the album's only duet-style track credited on the release.
• Booker T. Jones is credited as organist and arranger on the album.
• Mastering is credited to Customatrix on the Discogs release page.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

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