 In 1972, Nelson left the label for Atlantic Records and recorded a pair of critically acclaimed albums, "Shotgun Willie" (1973) and the concept album "Phases and Stages" (1974).With Nelson's popularity increasing, RCA did not want to lose Jennings as well, and granted him the authority to produce his records however he wanted.Jennings released the seminal "Honky Tonk Heroes" album in 1973, widely considered the first "outlaw" album, and "This Time" in 1974, which was recorded at Tompall Glaser's independent studio in Nashville.