Willie Nelson is now in his seventh decade as a songwriter, performer, and recording artist, but one of his most unsung talents is that of song interpreter. Over the course of his career, he’s tackled songs from all musical walks of life, making each one his own. For his 76th solo studio album and 153rd album overall, as he celebrates his 91st birthday, Willie delves into a collection of songs by rock legends, idiosyncratic singer-songwriters, alt-rock heroes, and indie folk artists. The result is a beautifully cohesive rumination on loss, love, and world-weary hope, perfectly complemented by sparse, haunting musical production.
Lovingly conceived and produced by his son Micah Nelson, Last Leaf On The Tree finds Willie Nelson covering songs ranging from whimsical indie rock (Beck), psychedelic alt-pop (The Flaming Lips), and folk punk (Sunny War, Micah’s Particle Kid) to meditative soul jazz (Nina Simone) and lesser-known gems by legends like Tom Waits, Neil Young, Keith Richards, and Warren Zevon. Additionally, the album features new renditions of one of Willie’s earliest songs (“The Ghost” from 1962) along with a new song written with Micah (“The Color Of Sound”) that adds to Willie’s collection of zen-soaked classics. In addition to producing, Micah Nelson plays numerous instruments and even designed the album’s artwork. He is joined by a stellar cast of supporting musicians, including legendary producer and musician Daniel Lanois, John Densmore of The Doors, and harmonica master Mickey Raphael, who has played alongside Willie for more than 50 years.
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