Nelson and his boys share their stash
The set is a family collaboration with Nelson, 84, and his sons Lukas and Micah performing country music standards and classics, including seven penned by Hank Williams Sr.
This follows in the musical footsteps of 2014's "December Day," featuring Nelson's sister Bobbie.
The Willie's Stash series presents a variety of archival releases, each personally curated by Nelson, culled from decades of recording and touring.
Consisting mainly of studio recordings laid down during the 2011 sessions for "Heroes," Nelson's Legacy debut, Buddy Cannon produced the set at Pedernales Recordings Studio in Austin.
The song list is:
1. Move It On Over (Hank Williams Sr.)
2. Mind Your Own Business (Hank Williams Sr.)
3. Healing Hands Of Time (Willie Nelson)
4. Can I Sleep In Your Arms (Hank Cochran)
5. Send Me The Pillow You Dream On (Hank Locklin)
6. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry (Hank Williams Sr.)
7. I'm Movin' On (Hank Snow)
8. Your Cheatin' Heart (Hank Williams Sr.)
9. My Tears Fall (Alyssa Miller)
10. Cold, Cold Heart (Hank Williams Sr.)
11. Mansion On The Hill (Hank Williams Sr. and Fred Rose)
12. Why Don't You Love Me (Hank Williams Sr.)
Musicians on the album include Willie Nelson (vocals, his guitar Trigger), Lukas Nelson (vocals, electric guitar, resonator guitar), Micah Nelson (vocals), Mickey Raphael (harmonica), Kevin "Swine" Grantt (bass), Bobby Terry (acoustic guitar, electric guitar), Jim "Moose" Brown (piano, B-3 organ, Wurlitzer), Mike Johnson (steel guitar), Tony Creasman (drums), Barry Bales (upright bass on "My Tears Fall") and Lonnie Wilson (drums on "My Tears Fall"). "Move It On Over" featured background vocals by the Spur Of The Moment Singers: Cannon, Raphael, Grantt, Terry, Brown, Johnson, Creasman, Melonie Cannon and Shannon Finnegan.
The album is "kinda like the country version of 'Stardust,'" Nelson said. "Where you have all these great songs and standards that the young people have never heard, then all of a sudden you have a whole new audience out there."
"I really love the live element of this record," said Buddy Cannon. "There was a fire in the studio during those sessions, especially on these particular tracks. It was as though the band was in a Nashville honky tonk, and Willie and Lukas strolled in and jammed with the band for an hour. That's what this record is. It's honest excitement. I've never cut a record before that has this element.... It's a great joy to see Willie, Luke and Micah all equally part of a record that I love so much."
Born in Austin, and raised in Maui, Hawaii, singer/songwriter/guitarist Lukas Nelson joined his father 's band by 13, touring as rhythm guitarist. Moving to Los Angeles, he launched in own ensemble, Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real (POTR) in 2008; POTR served as Neil Young's back-up group on "The Monsanto Years" album and subsequent tour.
Micah Nelson has performed with a variety of artists at events including FarmAid, Neil Young's Bridge-School Benefit, Desert Trip festival, Lightning in a Bottle, Coachella and Bonnaroo Festival. Micah has been involved in the ensemble Insects vs. Robots, recorded and toured with Young and made multi-instrumental contributions to the POTR. He is currently the singer/songwriter/guitarist in his future-folk project Particle Kid.
This is Nelson's 10th release since signing to Legacy Recordings in 2012. His last Legacy album, "God's Problem Child," was released on April 28, which went to number 1.
More news for Willie Nelson
- 08/15/24: Nelson may be the "Last Leaf on the Tree"
- 07/02/24: Nelson returns to touring July 4, not playing Massachusetts
- 06/23/24: Nelson's Outlaw Music Festival starts - without Nelson
- 05/31/24: Nelson, Marlowe, Swamp Dogg release new sounds
- 05/15/24: Nelson announces cannabis cookbook
- 03/27/24: Nelson moves his picnic north
- 03/14/24: Nelson reaches "The Border"
- 02/27/24: Outlaw Fest announces lineup of Nelson, Dylan, Plant/Krauss, Mellencamp
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