Willie Nelson turned 89 years old, but we’re the ones who got the gift. He used the occasion to release a new record: “A Beautiful Time.” It’s astonishing for any recording artist to make 72 solo albums, but even more remarkable is the consistency of quality Nelson achieves. It’s without peer.
Back as producer is Willie’s friend and regular songwriting partner Buddy Cannon. The title of this record is fitting. Listening is a beautiful time from beginning to end. It’s one of the best Willie Nelson records of the last 10 years, which is saying a lot given his bountiful output.
“A Beautiful Time” finds Willie at his most pensive, but also full of his trademark witticisms. What always enthralls me about Willie Nelson’s records is how he marries his original songs with songs from other writers that resonate with him. The songs form a cohesive sojourn.
Time is a constant on “A Beautiful Time”
A Willie Nelson record is like life. It’s got some smiles, but there’s going to be some tears too. True to the title, the songs come back to one of Nelson’s favorite subjects: the nature of time. And yes, the inevitably of time slipping away.
I’d love to share with you some of the vantage points on “A Beautiful Time,” released on April 29, 2022 on Legacy Recordings. I hope you’re up for it.
The album is true to country music
The album starts with “I”ll Love You Till the Day I Die” written by two musical heavyweights: Chris Stapleton and Rodney Crowell. The plain-speaking lyrics and the haunting steel guitar tell you right away that this is an album with unabashed country tunes.
“Energy Follows Thought” is a gem
Next up are a pair of original songs Nelson co-wrote with Buddy Cannon. The earnest“My Heart Was a Dancer,” and the ethereal “Energy Follows Thought.” I try not to deal in hyperbole, but this is one of the best songs I’ve ever heard. Willie Nelson’s plaintive delivery of the words flawlessly accompanies the instrumentation. These are words worthy of memorization.
Nelson interpets some of the greatest songwriters
The title track “A Beautiful Time” penned by stalwart songwriter Shawn Camp is a perfect fit for this record. It suits Willie Nelson so well, you’d almost swear it was written for him. The chorus states: “Now when the last song’s been played, I’ll look back and say: I sure had a beautiful time.” The song paints a perfect picture of Willie and the band on the road living the life he loves. Shawn Camp always impresses.
“Dusty Bottles” written by Don Sampson, Scotty Emerick, and Jim “Moose” Brown is a great song about something overlooked. In spite of the challenges of growing older, it’s a blessing not everyone gets. I love the line “sit down and drink a beer with father time.”
Willie Nelson makes the songs his own
Willie Nelson expertly covers some very well-known songs on “A Beautiful Time”: like the Leonard Cohen favorite “Tower Of Song” and the Beatles classic “With a Little Help From My Friends.” Yet, I’m always fascinated with those lesser-known gems. “Me And My Partner” was written by Gulf Coast songwriter and live entertainer Ken Lambert. In Willie’s hands, this terrific song is a vignette of two people looking hopefully at Mexico. It feels authentic and intimate.
“A Beautiful Time” closes with “Leave You With A Smile” written by Buddy Cannon, Bobby Terry, and Matt Rossi. It’s a song with some sadness and regret, but plenty of tenderness too. It’s a great way to end the record and get you to think about what you heard.
You won’t regret listening to Willie Nelson’s 72nd solo album, but I suppose you could say that about all his records.
Willie Nelson’s recent albums are different
I don’t know how it’s possible, but Willie Nelson continues to get better and better, while not repeating himself. At 89 years old, you may wonder if he’ll ever retire from making records. But, there’s no sign of anything waning, both in writing or singing. He only manages to evolve.
Willie Nelson is as real as they come
Another Willie album seems imminent and I’m curious to hear what he’ll be recording at 90 years of age. Willie Nelson has perfected a formula for making records. One of the main ingredients in his craft of being a storyteller is songs that always come from a very real place. After all, the best stories are true.
Release Date: April 29, 2022
Label: Legacy
Tracks / Total Length: 14 songs, 49:19
