Willie Nelson, the country music legend, has announced his 76th solo studio album, “Last Leaf on the Tree,” thereby reaching another milestone in his illustrious career.

The album, due out November 1, is Nelson’s 153rd overall and cements his reputation as one of the most prolific musicians in the industry. Along with the announcement, Nelson released the album’s first spotlight track, Last Leaf, on Thursday, August 15.

Willie Nelson is 91 years old and shows no signs of slowing down. With over 150 albums in his discography, the country star continues to innovate and create music that appeals to fans of all ages.

“Last Leaf on the Tree” is not only another part of his extensive work, but also represents a significant milestone in his career: The album was produced by his son Micah Nelson, who has previously performed with his father.

This father-son collaboration isn’t entirely new; Micah has previously worked with Willie Nelson on family-focused albums such as Willie and the Boys (2017) and The Willie Nelson Family (2021). However, Last Leaf on the Tree marks Micah’s debut as a producer and adds a new dimension to the elder Nelson’s already extensive musical legacy.

On August 15, Willie Nelson released the first spotlight track, Last Leaf, to build anticipation for the upcoming album. The song is a cover of Tom Waits’ song from his 2011 album Bad as Me, which originally featured a collaboration with Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards. Nelson sings solo on the latest version, adding his own voice and interpretation to the song.

Last Leaf on the Tree also includes Nelson’s cover of another Waits song, House Where Nobody Lives. In addition to these covers, the album also includes a cover of If It Wasn’t Broken by folk singer Sydney Lyndella Ward, also known as Sunny War.

Ward expressed her joy in a press release: “Nelson’s cover is the most beautiful and amazing thing that has ever happened to me as a writer and musician.” She continued: “I used to play this song on the Venice Beach boardwalk and never imagined back then that Willie Nelson would ever hear it.”

Last Leaf on the Tree is a real family affair, with Micah Nelson contributing heavily to the album. Micah co-wrote two of the tracks, “The Ghost” and “Color of Sound,” with his father. Micah also wrote a third song for the album, called “Wheels.”

Micah recorded the album at his recording studio, the Hen House, in Venice, California. Raphael Lanois on pedal steel, John Densmore, former drummer for the Doors, and Magatte Sow, percussionist, were among the talented musicians who participated in the recording sessions. The diverse lineup of artists contributes to the rich and textured sound of the album.

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