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Phases and Stages
Country · 1974 · 11 tracks

Phases and Stages

Willie Nelson

A pioneering concept album tracing the anatomy of a divorce. Side one follows the woman, side two the man, all anchored by Nelson's intimate, jazzy guitar work.

March 1974 · Atlantic

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A weary, empathetic exploration of loss that feels as intimate as a late-night confession.

Tracklist · 11 Tracks
01
Phases and Stages (Theme) / Washing the Dishes
1:42
02
Phases and Stages (Theme) / Walkin’
4:06
03
Pretend I Never Happened
3:01
04
Sister’s Coming Home / Down at the Corner Beer Joint
3:47
05
(How Will I Know) I’m Falling in Love Again
3:27
06
Bloody Mary Morning
2:49
07
Phases and Stages (Theme) / No Love Around
2:24
08
I Still Can’t Believe You’re Gone
4:17
09
It’s Not Supposed to Be That Way
3:29
10
Heaven and Hell
1:54
11
Phases and Stages (Theme) / Pick Up the Tempo / Phases and Stages (Theme)
3:27
Moments Worth Listening For
The frantic, desperate energy of the piano and harmonica on Bloody Mary Morning as the protagonist flees a failing relationship.
The recurring Phases and Stages theme that acts as a mournful connective tissue between the chapters of the story.
The stark, devastating intimacy of I Still Can't Believe You're Gone where the nylon string guitar feels like it is in the room with you.
Reviews
AllMusic
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Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does Phases and Stages sound next to the rest of Willie Nelson's catalogue?

Bittersweet+1.8σ

Bittersweet saturates this record notably more than the artist's norm.

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