1989 was a year of profound change, being not only the year that the Berlin Wall came down, but also the year that a lot of new stars took over the airwaves on American country radio stations. The old generation of country stars didn't suddenly disappear all at once. A few disappeared quickly, while some were able to compete successfully with the new stars. Indeed, Reba McEntire and George Strait were so successful that their career outlasted many of the names. But for most of the old stars, 1989 was the beginning of the end of their career. In Willie Nelson's case, his 1989 album (this one) provided him with his final number one country hit (Nothing I can do about it now), but the country radio stations that had previously been so enthusiastic about his music became somewhat less interested thereafter. Not that Willie went quietly, as he continued to make great albums in the nineties (Clean shirt, Across the borderline and Teatro among them) but his days as a regular hit-maker were ending. So, despite a number one hit, this album is often ignored.

The big hit opens the album and shows Willie in reflective mood. Whatever mistakes he'd made in his past, he can't do anything about it - an obvious but simple truth, but the song is well-crafted and deserved its number one status. It sets the mood of the album, most of which is mellow and reflective. It is one of two songs here from the pen of Beth Neilsen Chapman, who was then just beginning to make a real impact as a country songwriter - she wrote her first number one country hit in 1987.when Tanya Tucker recorded Strong enough to bend.

Other highlights include the title track, If I were a painting, Spirit, There you are and the second Beth Nielsen Chapman song, If my world didn't have you. Willie contributed three songs of his own (I never cared for you, Mr Record Man, I never cared for you), but he has recorded some or all of these before. Of course, the originals date from a time when Willie didn't have any say in the way his records were produced, so these versions (unlike some re-recordings) are definitely worth hearing.

If you are a Willie Nelson fan, do not ignore this album - there are too many great osongs here. This is not the place to start a collection of Willie's music but it is a most enjoyable album.

Willie Nelson's "A Horse Called Music", is Perhaps Willie's Best Work! This Album is a MUST for any Willie Nelson Fan. WIllie's brilliant guitar playing will Definitely take you for a ride. I Rate this album Five Stars... Why? Because it is Damn Good, That's why... So instead of going to the mall today and settling for some new flash in the pan artist, Please Take The Time To Special Order This Brilliant Album By This Country Legend, Willie Nelson. You Won't Regret It!

I searched for years for a copy of this CD (before mp3) and was finally able to locate it some time ago. I LOVE this CD and enjoy listening to it time and time again. It's not one of the catchy cd's with fast paced music so be prepared. Without a doubt this was money well spent.

This is not one of Willie Nelson's best-known CDs but it has three exquisite songs. All of them are sad. "A Horse Called Music" is about an old cowboy in Montana and the horse he used to own named Music. "Spirit" is a tale of the last surviving Indian of his tribe. "The Highway" is a story of what happened to the people the singer used to know, especially Handsome Johnny who never came back from Vietnam. If you don't like country music, have no fear. These three songs have an orchestral background and Willie's voice is clear as a bell. The other seven songs on the CD are tolerably good.