Willie Nelson will release his new studio album, The last leaf on the treeon November 1st. The collection includes Willie’s interpretation of Tom is waiting“Last Leaf,” out now.
The project is his 76th solo studio album and his 153rd album overall, according to Texas monthly‘s interactive ranking of all Willie Nelson albums as well as his first collaboration with his son Michael in the producer’s chair.
Micah discussed his “sculpting approach” to the album, explaining, “It’s an approach that I really love and have used a lot over the years – just throwing the clay on the record and stepping back, then maybe adding a little bit more, and then maybe chipping away at a bit here and kind of building the tracks that way.
The 34-year-old did most of the instrumental work himself, playing more than two dozen instruments, from guitars and pianos to “sticks and branches, tree trunks and dead leaves.” He also illustrated the album cover and, along with his wife, helped create the animation for the “Last Leaf” video. Alexandra Dascalu Nelsonin addition to identifying titles by younger generations of songwriters that matched his father’s voice and personality, including Flaming lips“Do you understand that?” Beck‘s “Lost Cause” and Sydney Lyndella Ward“If it wasn’t broken.”
Willie’s long-time harmonica player Mickey Raphael recommended the late Warren Zevon‘s “Keep Me In Your Heart.” He also sings two songs written by a long-time friend Neil Young“Are You Ready For The Country” and “Broken Arrow,” while Keith Richards is represented with “Robbed Blind”.
In addition, there is an exclusive version of The last leaf on the tree The album includes a limited edition lithograph by Micah and will be available after the album’s release. More information can be found here.
The last leaf on the tree Tracklist:
1. The Last Leaf (Tom Waits, Kathleen Brennan)
2. If it wasn’t broken (Sydney Lyndella Ward)
3. Lost Cause (Beck David Hansen)
4. Come here (Nina Simone)
5. Keep me in your heart (Warren Zevon, Jorge Calderon)
6. Robbed Blind (Keith Richards)
7. The house where nobody lives (Tom Waits)
8. Are you ready for the country? (Neil Young)
9. Do you understand this? (Wayne Coyne, Steven Drozd, Michael Ivins, David Fridmann)
10. Wheels (Micah Nelson)
11. The Broken Arrow (Neil Young)
12. Color of Sound (Willie Nelson & Micah Nelson)
13. The Ghost (Willie Nelson)
Hollabaugh, a contributing editor at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of experience in the music business and has written for publications such as American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She holds a degree in broadcast journalism and speech communications from Texas Christian University (go Horned Frogs) and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at [email protected].
