Released in 1982, Always On My Mind is a further testament to the enduring artistry and musical prowess of Willie Nelson. Released at a pivotal junction in Nelson's career, this album showcases his distinctive blend of country, pop, and folk influences, cementing his status as a genre-defying artist. While Always On My Mind isn’t a traditional covers album as it includes a mix of original compositions and covers, I often associate it closely with his 1978 masterpiece Stardust, as I find the two albums are somewhat interchangeable, particularly regarding their style and influences. Always On My Mind, however, isn’t quite as spectacular, but it remains one of the very best albums released in 1982. 

Yes, fans of this release may be perturbed by my suggestion that it doesn’t meet, or surpass, Stardust, but a core reason for that position is due to the fadeouts on this particular release. Rather than lengthy gradual reductions, were often met with the fadeout ending abruptly. The result is that the album’s structure loses a little of its fluidity. Other than that, Always On My Mind is beautifully recorded and while I’d argue that the song selection isn’t as strong as Stardust, this album is highly polished with arrangements and a contemporary sound that is not only tastefully done but pays homage to the originals as Nelson's distinctive vocal and expressive guitar playing take centre stage and meld perfectly with the album's rich and textured sonic landscape. 

The Hi-Res Lossless Apple Music stream, an Apple Digital Master sounds perfect in every way; other than the aforementioned issue with the fadeouts, of course. One aspect of the stream that is different to Stardust is that this album is included on Apple Music as a Dolby Atmos stream. The surround mix is intriguing for it adds a further sense of air and separation between musical elements. It’s as if you’re hearing the album for the first time, all over again, and you’ll most certainly hear things that were previously concealed in the stereo mix. 

The problem that exists, and it’s a good one to have, is that I thoroughly appreciate both the surround and stereo mixes. I will likely default to the stereo option as I don’t always have access to my Atmos-compatible system, but one thing is for certain, this is an example of Atmos being implemented respectfully to a classic album that wasn’t recorded with surround sound in mind. It’s refreshing to hear how lush the presentation is for the quality of this particular release is the exception rather than the rule as too many Atmos mixes are being rushed to market without adequate quality control checks. 

The only aspect that doesn’t align with these thoughts is the vocal echo on Do Right Woman, Do Right Man as it's further pronounced via the Atmos mix and can be particularly distracting. That said, join me, dear reader, as we explore the songs that make up Always On My Mind.

Do Right Woman, Do Right Man is a beautiful opener with soulful vocals and a country-infused arrangement, underscoring Nelson's versatility. While no one quite sings it like Aretha Franklin, Nelson has recorded a simply stunning rendition that’s a worthy peer and, in my mind, is my preferred version of this classic tune. 

Always On My Mind is the emotional centrepiece of the album. With its heartfelt lyrics and Nelson's poignant delivery, Always On My Mind isn’t only the perfect album title, but it’s one of the greatest songs Nelson has ever recorded. Yes, Elvis Presley’s is most likely the rendition most people are familiar with but as incredible as that recording is, Nelson does it better.

A Whiter Shade Of Pale further demonstrates Nelson's eclectic musical influences and his ability to make a song his own. Nelson puts his spin on this Procol Harum classic and the result is astonishingly good as he transforms the tune from its core psychedelic rock styling into an idyllic country-tinged ballad. The inclusion of Waylon Jennings offers a lovely contrast, but the song ends far too abruptly for my liking. 

Let It Be Me is a lovely interpretation of the Everly Brothers' classic and is perfectly suited to Nelson.  

Staring Each Other Down shifts the tone of the record and while this is most certainly an album-only tune, it simply doesn’t match the songs that we've heard thus far; a shame considering it’s a lovely song. It just isn’t suited to the album. 

Bridge Over Troubled Water is a rendition of Simon & Garfunkel’s classic that brings a new dimension to the song while paying homage to the original. If nothing else, Nelson’s magnificent vocal delivery on this song is what makes it a true masterpiece for while it is a classic tune, Nelson’s is one of the most impressive covers I’ve ever had the privilege of hearing.

Old Fords And A Natural Stone is a beautiful song. It’s tunes such as this that further cement Nelson as a master musician for he breathes life into the music composed by Bobby Emmons and Chips Moman. 

Permanently Lonely is a sombre ballad, but Nelson's emotive vocals, coupled with the melancholic instrumentation, create a poignant atmosphere that resonates with the listener. I do, however, feel that the backing vocals are a distractive element and I believe the song would have been stronger had they been omitted. That said, when you listen to the original, from the 1968 release Good Times, you’ll be glad that this re-recording was undertaken for it’s a considerable improvement over Nelson's original composition.

Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning is a lovely album-only tune but it’s unlikely that you’ll seek this song out on its own; despite being released as a single. It is, however, thoroughly enjoyable when appreciated within the album’s linear structure. 

The Party's Over was, in my opinion, the wrong track to close the album with. Thankfully, whenever I put Always On My Mind on, I never listen to it once but choose to play it on repeat so that aspect is less of an issue. However, if I were to listen to the album a singular time, The Party’s Over doesn’t exactly compel me to play the album again. That all said, the classic country honky-tonk feel is rather enjoyable and as a song on its own, I can certainly see the appeal. It just isn’t a strong closer. While this particular version is a re-recording of the original from Nelson’s 1967 The Party’s Over, I honestly don’t feel either recording is exceptional.

Willie Nelson's Always On My Mind is a lovely album and while it isn’t quite the masterpiece that Stardust is, it further encapsulates the essence of his musical artistry and is another of his timeless releases. The lasting appeal lies in the authenticity of Nelson's delivery, the quality of selected songs, and the seamless blending of genres. Always On My Mind not only reaffirmed Nelson's standing as a country music icon but also contributed to the broader cultural impact of his music; an impact that continues to this very day.