COUNTRY FAVORITES helped define Nelson as a unique vocalist and storied traditionalist, and the soulfully lonesome back-porch swing of Buddy Charlton's steel, "Pig" Robbins' piano and Wade Ray's fiddle only cemented this notion. Stalking Bob Wills' swinging string-boogie territory on the galloping "My Window Faces the South," the rollicking breakdown of "Home in San Antone" (with Leon Rhodes' lightning-style gee-tar fills), and the Texas Playboys' standard "San Antonio Rose," Nelson showed that he could lead a barn-dance as easily as he could produce the weepers he was already known for writing. His take on "I'd Trade All of My Tomorrows" showed that he could personalize other folks' sublime weepers as well. Recorded over two relaxed sessions with Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadours (originally un-credited due to contractual obligations), COUNTRY FAVORITES is a collection of honky-tonk and western swing staples documenting Willie Nelson, the singing star, just as he was finally ascending Nashville's ladder. Sure, by 1965 he'd already become a top tier Music City songwriter, but breaking in on the vocal circuit was that much rougher.
1) Columbus Stockade Blues
2) Seasons of My Heart
3) I'd Trade All of My Tomorrows (For Just One Yesterday)
4) My Window Faces the South
5) Go on Home
6) Fraulein
7) San Antonio Rose
8) I Love You Because
9) Don't You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me)
10) Home in San Antone
11) Heartaches By Number
12) Making Believe