That’s Life, Willie Nelson’s 71st album was released on February 26th. Willie is one of my favorites, so I gave this album a good listen on Qobuz this past weekend. No, Willie’s voice isn’t quite what it was 20 years ago, but he will turn 88 this summer. Like a fine Kentucky bourbon, these days his voice echos a richness and maturity that makes it a rare treat.
Although he started his career as a honky-tonk singer in the bars of central Texas, Willie can and has sung just about every genre of music. This album is his second tribute to Frank Sinatra, following up on the 2018 album, My Way, and covering songs from The Great American Songbook.
Released on the Legacy label, That’s Life was primarily recorded at Capitol Records in Hollywood. Yes, that’s where Sinatra recorded a string of classics from 1956 to 1961. In fact, the spirit of Ol’ Blue Eyes may have been watching over the recording sessions.
About That’s Life
A Willie Nelson album tends to sound like a few friends getting together to play music. That seems to be mostly true for this album. Diana Krall was the only one who didn’t make an in-person appearance. Due to the pandemic, she recorded her part of the duet vocal “I Won’t Dance” remotely. Maybe that’s why this cut missed the mark for me. Her voice didn’t have the energy or playfulness that might have been there if she had been in the studio.
Speaking of energy, there’s a bit more huskiness to Nelson’s vocal quality, and on the whole, this album doesn’t approach the energy he delivered on earlier work like his legendary Stardust album. However, there are some real gems here. In addition to the duet with Krall, you’ll find “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning,” I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Luck Be a Lady, “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” “Lonesome Road,” “Learnin’ the Blues,” and a wrap up with “You Make Me Feel So Young”. The full and superb sound of the orchestra backing up these tunes leaves nothing to be desired. I’ve got to think that the spirit of Sinatra was hanging around and smiling.
Legacy Records once hired the writer Mikal Gilmore to write an essay about Nelson and his relationship with Frank Sinatra. In the essay, Gilmore recalls that Sinatra said of Nelson, “He can sing my stuff, but I don’t know if I can sing his.”
Take a listen to That’s Life. Though Nelson’s voice is not quite what it was in his prime, Willie Nelson can still sing his stuff!
