Right-Click to Save    “Maybe I didn’t hold you – all those lonely, lonely times – I guess I never told you – that I’m so happy that your mine”.  Awfully sweet lyrics for an old scruffy cowboy like Willie Nelson to sing.  But sing it, he did, and won himself a Grammy in 1983 for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.  I always thought it was the best song Willie ever recorded.

“Always On My Mind” was first recorded by Brenda Lee in 1972, but languished on the charts at #45 for weeks.  Then Elvis picked it up and some say it was his finest recording ever.  I would beg to differ – I think he recorded it too fast – taking away from the soulful mood of the composition.  He had many other recordings that were so much better.  I can’t imagine this one being voted his best…. it just isn’t.

It was Willie Nelson who finally injected some real “feeling” into the tune, and a great deal of sadness.  Our arrangement here is loosely based on Willie’s – begin with just piano and lead vocal, then subtly bring in the band at just the right moment.  It’s kinda fun to watch a dance crowd on this one.  They sort of meander around the floor for the first 16 bars, not really sure why something doesn’t feel quite right (don’t they know there’s no bass or rhythm yet?).  But when the rest of the music pours in like fine wine, they suddenly move in sync like somebody turned on a switch.  Like I said – fun to watch.  If this isn’t in your repertoire – well, shame on you.  Work it up!  It’s pure, beautiful romance in music form – not to be ignored.

(Country and Jazz-Swing list)