Heroes

About

Nearing 80 years old, Willie Nelson is at an interesting juncture in his career. He's earned the right to make country music the way he remembers it—with a lilting Texas swing in its step—and he does. Nelson was also the great country artist who never let genres stop him. His <i>Stardust</i> collection made the crossover from country to pop standards feel as natural as breathing. So it really shouldn't be that much of a surprise when Nelson invites his son, Lukas, to sing on the majority of the record (he deserves co-billing), or when he enlists the help of Snoop Dogg and Kris Kristofferson to croon on "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die." Nelson the songwriter and Nelson the interpreter have made him Nelson the legend. No matter who's joining him here or whose song it is, the performances stand on their own; Coldplay's "The Scientist" and Eddie Vedder's "Just Breathe" become every bit Nelson tunes. Fiddles, acoustic guitars, and pedal steel all combine with that iconic voice to make a classic country album.

via Apple Music