Music review: Willie Nelson – 鈥楲ast Man Standing鈥�
Willie Nelson recently turned 85, and he鈥檚 got plenty on his mind.
Themes relating to mortality, aging and loneliness appear like an old companion on a new album consisting of 11 engaging tracks all co-written by the Red Headed Stranger and producer Buddy Cannon.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to be the last man standing/On second thought, maybe I do,鈥� declares the country music legend on the opening number.
Nelson reflects on the departure of good friends over the years and wonders who will be the next to leave as he sings, 鈥淚t鈥檚 getting hard to watch my pals check out/Cuts like a wore out knife/One thing I learned about running the road/Is forever don鈥檛 apply to life.鈥�
Despite addressing such solemn topics, Nelson still manages to keep it light on the catchy 鈥淒on鈥檛 Tell Noah鈥� and again when admitting to his halitosis on the lingering 鈥淏ad Breath.鈥� Indeed, bad breath is better than no breath at all.
鈥淪omething You Get Through鈥� is a heartfelt ballad that speaks to trying to get on with your life after the loss of someone you love with Nelson tenderly declaring, 鈥淚t鈥檚 not something you get over/But it鈥檚 something you get through.鈥�
The bluesy 鈥淚 Ain鈥檛 Got Nothin鈥� tells the lonely tale about the man who has everything but the love of a good woman. Without someone to love, possessing material items such as a house, barn, big truck and red Jaguar are of little comfort.
Nelson recovers nicely and demonstrates there鈥檚 still plenty of living for him to do with 鈥淩eady to Roar.鈥� The party number finds the country outlaw proclaiming, 鈥淚t鈥檚 five o鈥檆lock and I鈥檓 out that door/I鈥檓 hot and dusty, I鈥檓 tired and wore/But it鈥檚 Friday night and I鈥檓 ready to roar.鈥�
With everything that Nelson has been through during his storied career, it wouldn鈥檛 surprise me a bit if he end鈥檚 up being the last man standing while singing a memorable tune.
Nelson sums up the album鈥檚 overall tone when he states, 鈥淢aybe we鈥檒l all meet again/On the other side/We鈥檒l pick and sing/Load up the buses and ride.鈥�
Area fans will have the opportunity to see Nelson and special guest Van Morrison pick and sing when they roll into town on Sept. 7 for an appearance at KeyBank Pavilion.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.