Heroes by Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson released his newest album a couple of weeks ago. Nelson, pushing eighty, has a voice that is still remarkable, as recognizable as any in music.

The Album features many guests and contributors with Willie's son Lukas playing and singing on many of the songs in the album. His son, with a voice a little higher and more nasal than his father, is a fine singer but the truth is Willie's voice is like velvet, this album needs less help and more Willie.

Still the album is strong. Willie continues his recent pattern of recording some of the best covers of rock songs that you have ever heard. On this album Willie's version of Coldplay's "The Scientist" is stunning in it's simplicity. You might remember that Willie's take on this song appeared on a Super Bowl commercial for some Mexican resteraunt chain. On this album Willie also performs the Pearl Jam song " Just Breathe." This, too, is a fantastic version of a good song.

I also want to offer advice on a song that does not appear on this album. On Outlaw Country on XM I recently heard Willie performing a version of the Dave Matthews song " Gravedigger." I do not know what album is it on, for whatever reason his version of this song is not on Spotify. I will say this however, this song is one of the best I have heard in the last year. The lyrics and Willie's voice are a perfect combination. This song is as moving as you will hear. Find it.

Returning to the album, one song the contributions strengthen is the title cut. With the unmistakable voice of Jamey Johnson and Texas music legend Billie Joe Shaver this song is a strong entry.

Proving that love of marijuana can bridge culture gaps Snoop Dogg joins Willie for the fun song " Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die. " It is cute but in truth the help of Shaver and Johnson is more significant.

Willie is at his best on the songs that are just his, new songs such as A Horse Called Music and That's All There is to this Song.

This is a very strong album.