Probably the most underrated vocalist of our time, Willie Nelson at 85 years old may be sounding a bit more frail than during his halcyon years, but he still sounds convincing as he delves into the Frank Sinatra songbook and makes it work amazingly well.
Nelson’s voice is like a Norman Rockwell painting, evoking images of Americana, and his work here has him in arrangements both large and small, with strings at time, including musicians Matt Rollins/p-key, David Piltch/b, Dean parks/g and Jay Bellerose/dr. He does one duet, a cozy one with Norah Jones for “What Is This Thing Called Love” while giving Ol’ Blue Eyes a run for his desolate money on “On For My Baby” and intimate “It Was a Very Good Year.” With piano, he’s understated on “Summer Wind” and works well with some Rat Packy saxes on “Night and Day” while the harp brings a nostalgic touch to “I’ll Be Around.” As for the title track, who still alive can lay claim to these lyrics besides the guy that gave us “Crazy.” Another gem for his catalogue.