Happy Birthday, Lefty Frizell (March 31, 1928)

1.  Mom and Dad’s Waltz 2.  Look What Thoughts Will Do 3.  I Love You in a Thousand Ways 4. Always Late (With Your Kisses) 5. I Want to Be With You Always 6. She’s Gone, Gone, Gone 7.  A Little Unfair 8.  I Never Go Around Mirrors 9.  That’s the Way Love Goes 10. Railroad Girl 11. If You’ve Got the Money, I’ve Got the Time
Hailing from a state known for trailblazing country, Lefy Frizzell and Willie Nelson are Texas’ most distinctive sons in the singing and songwriting departments. After penning and crooning some of honkytonk’s finest songs — and inspiring Nelson to play music back when his nickname was still Booger Red — Frizzell died a broken man in 1975. Two years later, Nelson released a batch of his favorite Frizzell numbers. This expanded reissue includes one bonus track: an alternate take of Nelson’s 1976 chart-topping rendition of Frizzell’s plaintive voice soared up and down octaves like a trick pilot, Nelson, backed primarily by his acoustic guitar, harmonica and piano, leans into the songs with a blusey feel, giving emotional drama to weepers such as “Always Late (with your kisses)” and “I Never Go Around Mirrors.” If Nelson’s original intent was to remind listeners of his forebear’s breathtaking artistry, he accomplished his goal. — Holly George-Warren

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