Legendary singer-songwriter Willie Nelson is gearing up to release his 153rd studio album. Today (Aug. 15), the 91-year-old hitmaker confirmed details of the project, Last Leaf on the Tree, which is set for release on Nov. 1 via Legacy Recordings.
The record was crafted in collaboration with Nelson’s son and fellow musical talent, Micah, who served as producer for the LP. In a statement, Micah Nelson says he took a “sculptor’s approach” while creating the album.
“It’s an approach that I really love and have used a lot over the years — just throwing the clay down and stepping back, then maybe adding a little more, and then maybe shaving down here, and kind of building the tracks that way,” he added.
Last Leaf on the Tree features 13 tracks, which include a mix of original tracks and eclectic covers. Thanks to the creative guidance of 34-year-old Micah, listeners get a chance to hear Willie take on modern tracks like The Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize??” alongside versions of tracks from familiar friends like Neil Young.
To coincide with the album announcement, Nelson also shared the title track “Last Leaf,” written and originally recorded by Tom Waits. The track serves as a moving and somewhat haunting example of the record’s main theming, which Micah describes as “facing death with grace.”
“I’m the last leaf on the tree / The autumn took the rest but they won’t take me,” he sings, offering an emotional yet melancholy declaration. “I’m the last leaf on the tree.”
Listen to “Last Leaf” below:
Willie Nelson’s Last Leaf on the Tree Track List:
1. “Last Leaf” (written by Tom Waits & Kathleen Brennan)
2. “If It Wasn’t Broken” (written by Sydney Lyndella Ward)
3. “Lost Cause” (written by Beck David Hansen)
4. “Come Ye” (written by Nina Simone)
5. “Keep Me In Your Heart” (written by Warren Zevon & Jorge Calderon)
6. “Robbed Blind” (written by Keith Richards)
7. “House Where Nobody Lives” (written by Tom Waits)
8. “Are You Ready For The Country?” (written by Neil Young)
9. “Do You Realize??” (written by Wayne Coyne/Steven Drozd/Michael Ivins/David Fridmann)
10. “Wheels” (written by Micah Nelson)
11. “Broken Arrow” (written by Neil Young)
12. “Color of Sound” (written by Willie Nelson & Micah Nelson)
13. “The Ghost” (written by Willie Nelson)
